19th April 2024
Key stage 1 tests – year 2 pupils
What are the optional key stage 1 tests?
If you have a child in year 2, at the end of key stage 1 (KS1) they may take part in national curriculum tests in:
- English grammar, punctuation and spelling
- English reading
- mathematics
Some people refer to these tests as ‘SATs’.
The tests are not mandatory for schools to administer at the end of KS1, but our school may choose to use them to help identify where pupils need additional support as they transition into key stage 2 (KS2).
The English reading and mathematics tests were previously mandatory, but they became optional from the academic year 2023 to 2024 to reduce the overall number of tests children have to take in primary school.
Teachers will use the results from these tests, along with the work your child has done throughout the year, to help them reach their own judgements about how your child is progressing at the end of key stage 1.
These teacher assessment judgements will be reported to you by the end of the summer term.
Key stage 2 tests – year 6 pupils
What are key stage 2 tests?
If you have a child in year 6, at the end of key stage 2 (KS2) they will take national curriculum assessments in:
- English grammar, punctuation and spelling
- English reading
- mathematics
Some people refer to these tests as ‘SATs’.
The tests help measure the attainment of pupils in relation to the standards set out in the national curriculum, and help teachers and parents identify where pupils may need additional support in a certain subject area.
The tests are also used to assess schools’ performance, and school-level results data is used to produce national and regional performance statistics. Your child will sit the KS2 tests on scheduled dates set by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA).
If your child is absent on a scheduled test day, they may be able to take any missed tests up to 5 school days afterwards. Your child’s school must apply for a timetable variation and receive approval from STA to allow for this.
For the academic year 2023 to 2024, the KS2 tests are scheduled to take place from Monday 13 May to Thursday 16 May 2024:
| Monday 13 May | English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 1: Questions |
| Paper 1: Spelling | |
| Tuesday 14 May | English reading |
| Wednesday 15 May | Mathematics Paper 1: Arithmetic |
| Mathematics Paper 2: Reasoning | |
| Thursday 16 May | Mathematics Paper 3: Reasoning |
There are no tests for English writing or science at the end of KS2, but performance in these subjects will be reported as a teacher assessment judgement. Your child’s teachers will make this judgement based on your child’s overall work and performance in the subject. As with the tests, this will help to indicate if your child needs more support in the subject.
When will my child receive their results?
Schools can view KS2 test results online from Tuesday 9 July 2024. We aim to share teacher assessment judgements and test results with you with your summer term report.
