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
April 2026
Phonics
Tuesday 21 April - Deadline to order braille versions of the phonics screening check from the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013
KS2 Statutory Assessment
Monday 20 April - Deadline for schools to submit applications for compensatory marks for spelling for the end of KS2 tests on the NCA Portal
Monday 27 April - Forms available on the NCA Portal, within each online attendance register form, for schools to submit notifications of a scribe, transcript, word processor or electronic or technical aid in an end of KS2 test
Monday 27 April - MTC administration guidance published and schools can access the MTC service using DfE Sign-in
Monday 27 April to Friday 1 May - Schools receive their initial consignment of KS2 test materials and stationery items
May 2026
Phonics
Monday 18 May to Friday 22 May - Schools receive phonics screening check materials
KS2 Statutory Assessment
Tuesday 5 May to Friday 22 May - Local authorities carry out monitoring visits to a sample of schools –
Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May - Schools administer the KS2 tests
Monday 11 May - Pupil cheating form available for schools to submit on the NCA Portal
Thursday 14 May –
- KS2 headteacher’s declaration form (HDF) available for schools to submit on the NCA Portal
- Special consideration application form available for schools on the NCA Portal
Friday 15 May - Local authorities begin informing schools if they will receive an external moderation visit for English writing TA
Monday 18 May - Form to submit TA data available for schools and local authorities on the NCA Portal
Thursday 21 May –
- Deadline for schools to submit additional time applications for the end of KS2 tests
- Deadline for schools to submit timetable variation applications
- Deadline for schools to submit whole cohort special consideration applications
Friday 22 May –
- Deadline for schools to submit individual pupil special consideration applications
- Deadline for schools to submit attendance register forms on the NCA Portal
- Deadline for schools to submit aid notifications if pupils used a scribe, transcript, word processor, or electronic or technical aid in an end of KS2 test
- Deadline for schools to notify us on the NCA Portal if a pupil cheated in an end of KS2 test
- KS2 test materials and mark schemes available to download from GOV.UK
Friday 29 May - Deadline for schools to submit the KS2 HDF 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
