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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 2025

  • During October - Access arrangements guidance published for end of KS2 SATs.
  • During October - Optional KS1 tests access arrangements guidance published.
  • Monday 13 October - Forms available on the NCA Portal for schools to place test orders (if required) and order modified tests (if required.)
  • Monday 13 October - Form available on the NCA Portal for academies to confirm the local authority selected for monitoring and moderation – only applicable to academies not using their geographic local authority and participating independent schools.
  • Monday 13 October - Form available on the NCA Portal for local authorities to approve or reject monitoring and moderation agreements submitted by academies not using their geographic local authority and participating independent schools.
  • Monday 13 October - Form available on the NCA Portal for all schools to order modified versions of the optional KS1 tests.

November 2025

  • Monday 3 November - MTC IT guidance published.
  • Friday 14 November - Deadline for maintained schools and academies to order modified versions of the KS2 tests on the NCA Portal.
  • Friday 14 November - Deadline for participating independent schools to order standard and modified versions of the KS2 tests on the NCA Portal.
  • Friday 14 November - Deadline for 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.

Friday 14 November – Deadline for all schools to order modified versions of the optional KS1 tests. Form available on the NCA Portal.

Statutory Assessment dates

2025 / 2026

Reception Baseline – Completed within 6 weeks of starting Reception

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check – Monday 8 June to Friday 12 June 2026

Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check – Monday 1 June to Friday 12 June 2026

Year 6 SATs Week – Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May 2026

2026 / 2027

Reception Baseline – Completed within 6 weeks of starting Reception

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

Courses

Preparing for 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 - 27 November 2025 at Over Community Centre 9.30am until 12pm

Or

Session 1 - 28 November 2025 online 9.30am until 12pm

Cost: £75 for Cambridgeshire LA schools or £85 for Cambridgeshire Academies and out of county schools. Free for schools who have purchased Element 2 of the Primary Offer. Booking: Core offer tab on Booking Bug.

Session 2 - 25 March 2026 at Over Community Centre 9.30am until 12pm

Or

Session 2 - 26 March 2026 online 9.30am until 12pm

Cost: £75 for Cambridgeshire LA schools or £85 for Cambridgeshire Academies and out of county schools. Free for schools who have purchased Element 2 of the Primary Offer. Booking: Core offer tab 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 Over Community Centre – 1.30pm until 4pm

Session 1 – 1 October 2025

Session 2 – 21 January 2026

Session 3 - 22 April 2026

Cost per session: £75 for Cambridgeshire LA schools or £55 for Cambridgeshire Academies and out of county schools. Booking: Core offer tab on Booking Bug.

Our team of experienced advisers is able to 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