Key changes to Primary Assessment
This document is intended to highlight some of the key changes in primary assessments for the coming academic year.
The DfE has announced that all existing statutory key stage 2 (KS2) assessments will take place in 2025, following their usual timetable. This includes the:
- optional key stage 1 (KS1) tests. It is recommended that the optional KS1 tests are administered during May 2025.
- end of KS2 assessments (including tests and teacher assessment)
- reception baseline assessment
- phonics screening check
- year 4 multiplication tables check
- statutory trialling
2025 deadlines:
- Key stage 2: 27 June 2025
- Optional Key stage 1: 27 June 2025
- Phonics Check (Yr 1 and 2): 27 June 2025
- EYFSP: 27 June 2025
- Key Stage and CTF transfer timetable 2025 primary and special (pdf format, 92Kb)
- 2025 data collection flow chart (pdf format, 137Kb)
This year, completion of the Headteacher verification will be via an online form - Head verification form 2025
The deadline for the return of the Headteacher verification form is also 27 June 2025.
Reminder: It is a requirement that this form is authorised and signed off by the Headteacher.
This form is separate from the Headteacher Declaration Form that is submitted via the Primary Assessment Gateway. Both forms need completing.
Returning teacher assessment submissions to the LA via S2S
Read the S2S guidance notes (docx format, 2Mb) on how to submit teacher assessments for EYFSP, Phonics and Key Stage 1 to the LA.
Key Stage 1 (optional) and Key Stage 2 teacher assessment performance categories
EYFSP
Key stage 1 (optional) and Phonics
- Phonics TA Codes (pdf format, 66Kb)
- Key Stage 1 TA codes (pdf format, 78Kb)
- 2021 onwards Pre-key stage 1 - pupils working below the national curriculum assessment standard (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Key Stage 2
- Key Stage 2: submitting teacher assessment data guidance for 2025
- Videos to support schools when submitting Key Stage 2 data and resolving errors
- Key Stage 2 TA codes (pdf format, 96Kb)
- Key Stage 2 Test codes (pdf format, 89Kb)
- 2021 onwards Pre-key stage 2 - pupils working below the national curriculum assessment standard (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA)
- The DfE publishes this guidance and covers assessment and reporting requirements for EYFSP, Phonics, Key Stage 1 (optional) and Key Stage 2 for the 2024-25 academic year. It also includes information on how to prepare for and administer national curriculum tests, teacher assessments and the requirements for reporting results to parents.
- Early years foundation stage profile: 2025 handbook (publishing.service.gov.uk)
- 2025 assessment and reporting arrangements (phonics screening check) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- 2025 key stage 2 assessment and reporting arrangements - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
KS4 and 5 results forms
- KS4 – Thursday 21 August 2025
- KS5 – Thursday 14 August 2025
DfE guidance
Returning the School Census via COLLECT:
Links
School to School (s2s): DfE’s secure data transfer system
- School to School log in page is via the DfE sign-in webpage
- Handbook for s2s for schools and FAQs