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Assessment and Moderation

This page provides information linked to the following statutory assessments:

  1. the year 1 Phonics Screening Check
  2. the year 4 Multiplication Tables Check
  3. the end of Key Stage 2 SATs
  4. the end of Key Stage 2 writing moderation. 

Upcoming dates and assessment activities

October 2026 - updated

Before Monday 12 October – Schools should update user access permissions on the NCA Portal.

Thursday 8 October – Phonics screening attainment data published by the DFE. Release home - Phonics screening check attainment - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK

Monday 12 October – Forms available on the NCA Portal for:

  • order standard key stage 2 (KS2) test papers
  • order modified versions of the KS2 test papers and optional key stage 1 (KS1) test papers
  • decline phonics screening check materials
  • confirm which local authority academies and independent schools have chosen for monitoring and moderation – this applies to participating independent schools and academies not using their geographic local authority

Monday 12 October – The following documents were updated:

November 2026

Phonics Screening Check

Friday 13 November - Deadline for schools with no pupils working at the standard of the phonics screening check to decline phonics screening check materials on the NCA Portal

Multiplication Tables Check

Monday 2 November - MTC IT guidance published

End of KS2 Statutory Assessments

Monday 2 November - Forms available on the NCA Portal for:

  • schools to confirm the local authority selected for monitoring and moderation – applicable to academies not using their geographic local authority and participating independent schools. (Originally planned for the 12 October)
  • local authorities to approve or reject monitoring and moderation agreements submitted by academies not using their geographic local authority and participating independent schools

Friday 13 November - Deadline for:

  • maintained schools and academies to order modified versions of the KS2 tests on the NCA Portal – see Standard and modified test material formats
  • participating independent schools to order standard and modified versions of the KS2 tests on the NCA Portal
  • special schools, PRUs and secure units to place KS2 test orders on the NCA Portal for pupils working at the standard of the tests and able to access them

Statutory Assessment dates

2026 / 2027

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check – Monday 14 June to Friday 18 June 2027

Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check – Monday 7 June to Friday 18 June 2027

Year 6 SATs Week – Monday 10 May to Thursday 13 May 2027

2027 / 2028

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check – Monday 12 June to Friday 16 June 2028

Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check – Monday 5 June to Friday 16 June 2028

Year 6 SATs Week – Monday 8 May to Thursday 11 May 2028

Assessment Courses 2026 / 2027

Leading Assessment

Audience: Headteachers, assessment leads and senior leaders.

Focus: A two-part course preparing schools for statutory assessment procedures linked to Year 1 and Year 2 phonics screening, Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check and end of KS2 SATs, teacher assessment and writing moderation.

Structure:

Session 1 – 26 November 2026 at Sunley House Papworth 9.30am until 12pm

Or - 27 November 2026 online 9.30am until 12pm

Session 2 - 23 March 2027 at Sackville House Cambourne 9.30am until 12pm

Or - 24 March 2027 online 9.30am until 12pm

Cost per session: £78 for Cambridgeshire LA schools or £88 for Cambridgeshire Academies and out of county schools. Free for schools who have purchased Element 2 of the Primary Offer. Booking: Core Training Offer on Booking Bug

Leading Improvements in Phonics

Audience: Phonics and early reading leaders, English subject leaders. Year 1 teachers are also invited to attend Session 3.

Focus: During this three-part course, phonics leaders will explore the key principles which underpin the effective teaching of phonics and early reading. In all three sessions, delegates will have the opportunity to reflect on the role of the Phonics Leader in developing practice across the school.

Structure:

Face to face training at Sunley House Papworth – 1.30pm until 4pm

Session 1 – 1 October 2026

Session 2 – 20 January 2027

Session 3 - 21 April 2027

Cost per session: £78 for Cambridgeshire LA schools or £88 for Cambridgeshire Academies and out of county schools. Booking: Core Training Offer on Booking Bug

Our team of experienced advisers can provide both support and challenge to schools with assessment and moderation. This includes:

  • Data analysis
  • Moderation training
  • Facilitating cluster moderation
  • Courses and briefings relating to assessment
  • Bespoke in-school CPD relating to assessment and moderation for school leaders including governors, subject leaders and class teachers.

Contact

Emma Fuller

Strategic Lead for Assessment

Cambridgeshire School Improvement Service 

Gary Casey

Moderation Manager

Cambridgeshire School Improvement Service