Essex Schools InfoLink

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Local Authority Assessment Team are responsible for:

• moderating ​teacher assessment judgements
• monitoring the administration of the national tests and phonic screening check
  

We have split the information below into key stages. All information is for the current academic year. 

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Early Years Foundation ​Stage (EYFS)

Information within this section includes documents to support EYFS Moderation Profile Activities. 

• ​​Exemplification Materials
  

• ​Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage ​
  

• Early Years Foundation Stage Profile 2024 Handbook​
  

Key Stage 1 (KS1)

From the academic year 2023 to 2024, there is no statutory requirement to carry out end of KS1 teacher assessment. The existing end of KS1 teacher assessment frameworks continue to be available for schools who wish to use them optionally as part of their ongoing assessment of children.

STA will continue to develop and supply materials for the optional, non-statutory end of KS1 tests in English reading, English grammar, punctuation and spelling and mathematics. The optional tests will be developed to the same specifications as previous KS1 papers, to give schools access to test papers to support in the measurement of pupil achievement and to help identify where their pupils need additional support as they transition into KS2. They may also provide helpful information when reporting to parents. 

We will add documents for the 2023 to 2024 academic year once we receive them from the DfE.

​​Exemplification Materials​

• Key stage 1 Teacher assessment exemplification English reading: working towards the expected standard

• Key stage 1 Teacher assessment exemplification English reading: working at the expected standard

• Key stage 1 Teacher assessment exemplification English reading: working at greater depth

• ​Key stage 1 Teacher assessment exemplification English writing: working towards the expected standard

• Key stage 1 Teacher assessment exemplification English writing: working at the expected standard

• Key stage 1 Teacher assessment exemplification English writing: working at greater depth

• Key stage 1 Teacher assessment exemplification Mathematics

• Key stage 1 Teacher assessment exemplification Science

Administering the phonic screening check 

• Phonics Screening Check: 2017 materials
  

• Phonics Screening Check: 2018 materials

• Phonics Screening Check: 2019 materials
  

• Assessment and Reporting Arrangements (Phonic Screening Check)
  

Assessment and Moderation 2023 to 2024

• Teacher Assessment Frameworks at the end of Key Stage 1
  

• Pre-Key stage 1 - Pupils working below the national curriculum assessment standard
  

• The Engagement Model 
  

• Key Stage 1 Non-Statutory Teacher Assessment Guidance

• Optional Key Stage 1 Tests Guidance

• Optional Key Stage 1 Tests: Access Arrangements Guidance
  

Key Stage 2 (KS2)

The information below will support KS2 statutory assessment and moderation.

We will add documents for the 2023 to 2024 academic year once we receive them from the DfE.​

​Exemplification materials

• Key stage 2 Teacher assessment exemplification English writing: working towards the expected standard

• Key stage 2 Teacher assessment exemplification English writing: working at the expected standard

• Key stage 2 Teacher assessment exemplification English writing: working at the expected standard

• Key stage 2 Teacher assessment exemplification English writing: working at greater depth

• ​KS2 Teacher assessment exemplification Science
  

Assessment and Moderation 2023 to 2024

​Appeals Procedure

Very occasionally a moderator and school may not be able to reach agreement. If this happens then the moderator will log the pupil for which the appeal has been made on the visit note and take copies of any evidence to support the school appeal. They will then inform the moderation manager who will:

• first discuss any concerns with the school's designated moderator
  

• if the issue is not resolved, the moderation manager will contact the school by phone or email

• the moderation manager will speak with the moderator to discuss the moderation visit. They will note the moderator's account of details

• schools must have evidence to support any appeal claim before the appeal is processed. The evidence can only be based on that validated during the LA moderation visit
  

• all outcomes will be documented, and all parties involved in the complaint/appeal will sign

• outcomes from the complaint/appeal will be noted in a transparent way for the head teacher and the LA to keep on record

• if agreement cannot be reached with the moderation manager the school will be offered the opportunity to refer the matter to another LA*. In which case the moderation manager and the school will agree to abide by the decision of the other LA*

• if the school does not wish the case to be referred, then the moderation manager makes the final decision about the judgements to be reported

Schools may request a review of the moderation judgement but must pay any costs, unless the review upholds the school's challenge.  

Deadline for Appeals

Appeals must be received in writing within two working days of the date the moderation visit note has been sent.

The authority takes any complaints or queries very seriously. They will respond to and resolve them as quick as possible.

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For more information on all the above email StatutoryAssessment@essex.gov.uk ​