End of Key Stage statutory assessments

There is no longer a statutory requirement to carry out end of KS1 assessment. The existing end of KS1 assessment frameworks continue to be available for schools that wish to use them optionally as part of their ongoing assessment of children.

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) will continue to develop and supply materials for the optional, non-statutory end of KS1 tests in the following subjects:

• English reading
• English grammar, punctuation and spelling
• mathematics

Assessment and moderation

For assessment and moderation use the following DfE guidance:

• Teacher assessment frameworks at the end of key stage 1
• Pre-key stage 1 standards
• The engagement model
• Key stage 1 non-statutory teacher assessment guidance
• 2025 optional key stage 1 tests guidance
• Optional key stage 1 tests: access arrangements

Exemplification materials​

For KS1 exemplification materials for English reading use the following DfE guidance:

• KS1 English reading exemplification - working towards the expected standard
• KS1 English reading exemplification - working at the expected standard
• KS1 English reading exemplification - working at greater depth within the expected standard

For KS1 exemplification materials for English writing use DfE’s Teacher assessment exemplification: KS1 English writing guidance.

For KS1 exemplification material for mathematics use DfE’s Teacher assessment exemplification: KS1 mathematics.

For KS1 exemplification material for science use DfE’s Teacher assessment exemplification: KS1 science.

Administering the phonic screening check

For phonic screening checks use the following DfE guidance:

• 2025 assessment and reporting arrangements (phonics screening check)
• Phonics screening check: 2017 materials
• Phonics screening check: 2018 materials
• Phonics screening check: 2019 materials