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On 1st June 2018, the DfE publicly released the test materials from this year’s Key Stage 1 National Tests.

The test papers and mark schemes for all subjects can be found here:

• KS1 Mathematics 2018 test materials
• KS1 English grammar, punctuation and spelling 2018 test materials
• KS1 English reading 2018 test materials

On 29th May 2018, the DfE publicly released the test materials from this year's Key Stage 2 National Tests.

The test papers and mark schemes for all subjects can be found here:

• KS2 Mathematics 2018 test materials
• KS2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling 2018 test matierals
• KS2 English reading 2018 test materials

Thanks to Tennyson Road, Christ Church CE Primary, and Medmerry Primary school for sharing their reactions to the 2018 SATs. 

How did you find the SATs this year?  Tweet us your thoughts on this year's tests @RSAssessment

Tennyson Road Primary School

“Thanks to Rising Stars resources, our children were well prepared and took on the challenge with enthusiasm” - Carla Gotch, Tennyson Road Primary School

‘I really enjoyed that Miss!’ was the cry from Kestrel class after closing their final paper on Thursday Morning. A smile creeping across my face. If nothing else I had done my job right! 30 happy children all confident and enjoying SATs! Or maybe that was just the SATs breakfast they had each day...

On 24th May 2018, the DfE released the 2018/2019 Pre-Key Stage 2 standards teacher assessment frameworks.

From the 2018/2019 academic year onwards these pre-key stage standards must be used to make statutory teacher assessment judgements for children working below the national curriculum tests at the end of KS2.

Far too often, assessment is divorced from teaching and learning because it is a relatively passive experience. 

Thanks to John Dabell, trained teacher and former Ofsted inspector, for the following article.

Assessment makes a significant difference to learning, especially when children are actively involved in their own learning, when assessment is an essential part of the learning experience and when assessment boosts self-esteem and motivation.

The first and most important principle of learning is that children are engaged in the process. Assessment isn’t done to children but with them as an active process.

What are your thoughts on the reception baseline assessment?

Following the DfE's announcement on 11th April 2018 that a new statutory baseline assessment will be introduced in autumn 2020, we collated some initial thoughts about the announcement.

Thanks to James Pembroke and Michael Tidd for sharing their views on this.  You can join in the conversation on Twitter @RSAssessment.

On 23rd April, the DfE updated the sample materials available for the 2018 Phonics Screening Check.

Structure of the Phonics Screening Check
The check contains 40 words divided into two sections of 20 words.  Both sections contains a mix of pseudo-words and real words.
Read more about the structure here.

In response to the 2017 'Primary assessment in England government consultation', on 11th April 2018 the DfE announced the introduction of a new statutory reception baseline assessment in autumn 2020.

New baseline assessments to be introduced from autumn 2020

The test will be administered by schools as soon as children enter reception and will enable schools to measure children's progress from reception through to KS2.  The DfE will publish the results of these measures for all through primaries in the summer of 2027.