This page provides information linked to the following statutory assessments:
- the year 1 Phonics Screening Check
- the year 4 Multiplication Tables Check
- the end of Key Stage 2 SATs
- the end of Key Stage 2 writing moderation.
Upcoming dates and assessment activities
February 2026
Monday 9 February - Pupil registration form available on the NCA Portal for all schools (including special schools) to complete for the end of KS2 tests.
Monday 9 February - Forms available on the NCA Portal for schools to apply for early opening, compensatory marks for spelling, additional time and timetable variations for the end of KS2 tests.
March 2026
March - The following documents will be published during March:
- KS2 Test administration guidance and special consideration guidance.
- Phonics screening check administration guidance.
- Optional KS1 test administration guidance.
Friday 6 March - Deadline for all schools (including special schools) to complete pupil registration on the NCA Portal for the end of KS2 tests.
Friday 6 March - Deadline for all schools to submit applications for early opening 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
Strategic Lead for Assessment
Cambridgeshire School Improvement Service
Moderation Manager
Cambridgeshire School Improvement Service
