Services For Education delivers statutory duties regarding primary assessment on behalf of Birmingham Local Authority.
We are in a unique position to provide the best support, guidance and training for primary schools to best prepare for the requirements of statutory assessment in KS1 and KS2. NB: Please click on the arrow below for important information for September 2025.
*Important Information:* Launch of a new service in September 2025: National Curriculum Assessments Portal
From September 2025, Pearson will provide the Test Operations Service, supporting national curriculum assessments on behalf of the Standards and Testing Agency.
The new system, the National Curriculum Assessments Portal, will replace the Primary Assessment Gateway (PAG) which will close on Friday 19 December 2025.
The national curriculum assessments helpline and helpline email address switches over to Pearson on Friday 19 September 2025. Both the telephone and email helpline will be able to support queries from schools relating to the 2025 tests; this option will be available until Friday 19 December.
In addition, please be aware that if between Friday 19 September 2025 and Friday 19 December 2025, if you contact the helpline about the 2024 to 2025 test cycle, you may receive a reply from tops_helpdesk@capita-sta.co.uk.
Schools should have updated their PAG users and contact details by Thursday 31 July 2025, to ensure they receive access instructions for the new National Curriculum Assessments Portal.
Full information on how to access the system will be available from STA in September 2025. Look out for information on how to access and sign in to the National Curriculum Assessments Portal on Monday 22 September 2025.
The National Curriculum Assessments Portal goes live on Tuesday 23 September 2025. For full information about this change, please access the link: New Test Operations Service provider: information for schools – GOV.UK
For more information around important dates and information for standardisation, moderation and teacher assessment data submission 2025-26, please read this official communication from the Standards and Testing Agency.
Assessment
Multiple DatesNext: 20/11/2025
£320.00
Assessment
Thursday 12th Feb 2026
£199.00
Assessment
Interim Writing Moderation at KS1 – For New to and Experienced Year 2 Teachers (Centre-Based)
Tuesday 10th Mar 2026
£320.00
Assessment
Interim Writing Moderation at KS2 – For New to and Experienced Year 6 Teachers (Centre-Based)
Wednesday 11th Mar 2026
£320.00
£199.00
Assessment
End of Year Peer Writing Moderation at KS1 – For Year 2 Teachers (Centre-Based)
Thursday 4th Jun 2026
£199.00
Our School Support Service is commissioned to provide the management of the Statutory Assessment Duty on behalf of Birmingham Local Authority (LA).
This duty includes the delivery of this service to LA maintained schools. In addition, academy and free schools who are required to comply with the guidance as set out annually by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) should confirm a contract with ourselves annually.
Independent schools may also subscribe to this service if they choose to confirm a written agreement with Services For Education, on behalf of Birmingham Local Authority, and submit KS2 data directly to DfE through the Primary Assessment Gateway.
In addition to undertaking moderation and monitoring services, we are in a perfect position to provide support, guidance and training for primary schools to best prepare for the requirements of statutory assessment in KS1 and KS2.
Our team of experts and STA Approved moderators can provide centre-based, in-school or cross MAT moderation to ensure all schools are secure in their teacher judgements and assessment procedures.
For more information or to subscribe please contact us.Â
You could save up to 10% off training and school support services with our Advantage Programme Packages – find out more here.
From the academic year 2023-24, the end of KS1 assessments have ceased to be statutory. STA guidance for those schools who wish to continue to benchmark their pupils’ performance at end of KS1 is available here:
National curriculum assessments: optional key stage 1 tests
We know that schools, whether they use the national benchmarking materials or not, will continue to make teacher assessments to inform classroom practice and to understand pupil performance. This process often includes internal moderation and external moderation i.e., across MATs/Consortia and/or citywide centre-based moderation.
This may be conducted in-centre through STA accredited moderator led, peer moderation with schools from across the city or can be purchased on an individual or group consultancy basis by completion of an optional written agreement. Look out for further details of these opportunities or contact us via hello@servicesforeducation.co.uk to discuss.
Services For Education, School Support Service, work on behalf of Birmingham Local Authority to organise, manage and deliver statutory assessment duty for KS1 and KS2.
The local authority has a responsibility to conduct moderation of teacher judgements in at least 25% of its schools and settings each year and in at least 25% of those academies and free schools that choose Birmingham as their moderation provider.
Please follow this link for further information and application process.
Have you ever thought about becoming a key stage 2 moderator? Many of our moderation team, having been moderated in their own schools and supported by their head teacher, have successfully completed the application process. This presentation will guide you through the application process and will give you an insight into what this unique opportunity will entail. Watch the webinar here.
Denise Harris - Adviser, Services For Education
Denise has enjoyed many years working as a qualified teacher in Birmingham. She has taught across the age range in schools, in an Education Action Zone, and in a Youth Offending Unit.Â
As a local authority primary numeracy consultant, she has supported many schools to effectively develop their maths provision, and this continues through her management of the very successful 'Every Child Counts' mathematics interventions, developed and supported by Edge Hill University, and which are proven to have a significant impact, not only on underachieving and SEND pupils, but also on teacher and teaching assistant subject and pedagogical knowledge, classroom and whole school practice.
Nowadays, Denise successfully delivers the primary statutory assessment contract for moderation and monitoring on behalf of Birmingham LA. She has been instrumental in effectively managing the changes over time to the statutory assessment processes but does not lose sight of the need for schools and teachers to make use of ongoing formative assessment strategies as part of the teaching and learning process to monitor pupil progress. In her statutory role, Denise works closely with other moderation managers both locally and nationally to ensure a consistent understanding of national guidance and related requirements. She recruits, trains, and accredits both KS1 and KS2 pool moderators and utilises her knowledge and understanding of these processes to ensure, through her training offer, that schools are equipped to fulfil their statutory duty confidently.
Emma Mudge - Adviser, Services For Education
Emma has more than 20 years' experience in primary education and has worked in a variety of roles including Assistant Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher, and Acting Head Teacher - working at the forefront of school leadership and improvement for the majority of her career. Â
Emma now works as the Educational Adviser for English sharing her experience and knowledge to continually promote and improve the standard of teaching and learning in English, and in school improvement overall. Supporting schools with the accuracy of their KS1 and KS2 writing assessments is an important part of her role, using her expertise as a member for the moderation team to inform, train and support teachers and school leaders.Â
Emma is also part of the team which delivers the Health For Life programme (improving the healthy opportunities for primary aged children) and the NPQSL, where she proudly supports the development of our aspiring leaders in the city.Â
Helen Grundy - Adviser, Services For Education
Helen's journey began in 1998 when she proudly graduated with a first-class honour’s degree in English and Education Studies. Her time studying in Amsterdam at the Hogeschool Holland added a TESOL element to her degree, opening her eyes to international approaches to education.
Her teaching career in Staffordshire saw her excel in various roles, from subject leadership to SENCo and SLT. Helen's passion and dedication led her to become a Leading Maths Teacher, supporting colleagues and ultimately transitioning into consultancy and advisory roles.
Joining Services For Education in 2015 as an Education Adviser, Helen's initial focus on Maths Advising quickly expanded to include managing the highly successful Health for Life in Primary Schools programme and overseeing ECT Induction. Her expertise is also sought after for delivering parts of the nationally recognised NPQ suite of qualifications.
Helen's journey is not just a career, but a testament to her unwavering commitment to education and the betterment of schools and students.  Â
Lucie Welch – Adviser, Services For Education
Lucie Welch has worked in the field of Primary Education for the last 15 years, holding the positions of Assistant Head of School, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Attendance Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. Through working across several local authorities and within multi-academy trusts, Lucie has garnered a passion for safeguarding and supporting children and young people to enable them to thrive.
At Services For Education, Lucie is an integral part of the Safeguarding team, sharing her expertise with schools, colleges, trusts, and other educational settings across the city of Birmingham and beyond. Dedicated to improving safeguarding practices in an actionable and impactful way, Lucie works closely with settings to provide bespoke training, supports with reflection on their own practices during Safeguarding audits and always strives to contribute to a better learning environment for all children. Through delivery of statutory training for DSLs and Safer Recruitment, Lucie works with colleagues in all age ranges and is a source of expertise within these areas.
Lucie also wears other important hats within the School Support Team. Not only is she dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of students through her role in safeguarding, but she also plays a key part in the PSHE/RSE and Health for Life teams. Additionally, Lucie partners with the Best Practice Network to deliver the Early Career Framework, supporting new teachers in their professional development.
Below, you will find links to some important information for statutory assessment.
General
Standardisation and moderation 2025 to 2026
Email communication from the Standards and Testing Agency detailing important dates and information for standardisation, moderation and teacher assessment data submission.
Primary assessments: future dates
Future dates for the key stage 1 and key stage 2 tests (commonly referred to as SATs), phonics screening check, multiplication tables check and reception baseline assessment.
Education and Attainment data
This page contains key information for schools around the collection and analysis of assessment data. It includes the local authority ‘deadlines’ poster and local guidance which compliments the statutory guidance published annually by the DfE.
Notification of KS2 Local Agreement – 2025-26
Whilst the STA guidance around the process of external moderation continues to state that schools are not required to submit data to the Local Authority in advance of a moderation visit, many schools have stated a preference to provide this in order to know the children whose work will be moderated the day before the visit, so that they can be organised when the moderator arrives. STA has stated that although this is not a statutory requirement, this can happen, but only by local agreement with each head teacher.
Reporting to parents at the end of key stages 1 and 2
Government guidance for schools on writing statutory end of year reports for parents.
EYFS
Reception baseline assessment: assessment and reporting arrangements – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Arrangements for the statutory reception baseline assessment (RBA).
Reception baseline assessment: administration guidance
Guidance for schools administering the reception baseline assessment (RBA).
Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Handbook
This handbook supports EYFS practitioners in making accurate judgements about each child’s attainment. This document will be updated for 2025-26.
Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Return
Guide for local authorities and schools submitting early years foundation stage profile data for 2025. This document will be updated for 2026. This document explains how local authorities and schools should submit data for 2025.
It includes:
- which schools are in the scope of the collection
- which pupils are in the scope of the collection
- which data needs to be submitted
- a data collection timetable
- data reporting formats
- recording and reporting options
KS1 and KS2
Check Your Performance Measures Data (education.gov.uk)
The Check Your Performance Measures Data (CYPMD) Help Centre is now open, here you will find the latest information regarding the key stage 2 (KS2), key stage 4 (KS4) June, key stage 4 (KS4) Autumn and 16 to 18 Autumn checking exercises and performance data sharing. Please check this page on a regular basis for updates.
The Check Your Performance Measures Data (CYPMD) Help Centre is now open, here you will find the latest information regarding the key stage 2 (KS2), key stage 4 (KS4) June, key stage 4 (KS4) Autumn and 16 to 18 Autumn checking exercises and performance data sharing. Please check this page on a regular basis for updates.
Â
National curriculum assessments: optional key stage 1 tests
Guidance for headteachers, teachers and test administrators involved in administering the optional national curriculum tests for key stage 1 (KS1).
Guidance for headteachers, teachers and test administrators involved in administering the optional national curriculum tests for key stage 1 (KS1).
Â
Key Stage 1 Teacher Assessment Guidance
Guidance for schools choosing to administer KS1 tests and/or participating in optional moderation of key stage 1 (KS1) teacher assessment (TA).
Guidance for schools choosing to administer KS1 tests and/or participating in optional moderation of key stage 1 (KS1) teacher assessment (TA).
Â
Statutory guidance for assessing and reporting the phonics screening check at key stage 1 (KS1).
Optional key stage 1 tests: access arrangements – GOV.UK
Guidance for schools about access arrangements available for pupils participating in optional KS1 national curriculum tests.
2024 Key Stage 2: assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA)
Statutory guidance for assessing and reporting the national curriculum at key stage 2 (KS2) in the 2024 to 2025 academic year.
Key Stage 2 Teacher Assessment Guidance
Guidance for schools and local authorities involved in the administration and moderation of statutory key stage 2 (KS2) teacher assessment (TA) in 2024.
KS2 Tests: Access Arrangements
Guidance for schools about access arrangements available for pupils participating in 2024 KS2 national curriculum tests (awaiting updated guidance).
Key Stage 2 Tests: Varying the Test Timetable
Information about how headteachers, or someone with delegated authority, can reschedule the key stage 2 tests.
Key Stage 2: Guide to registering pupils for the tests
Information for primary schools on how to submit details of pupils who are eligible for key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests (commonly called SATs) (Expecting this to be updated for 2024).
Key stage 2: submitting teacher assessment data
Instructions for headteachers and local authorities about submitting key stage 2 teacher assessment data (expecting this to be updated for 2024).
2024 scaled scores at key stage 1 and 2
Scaled score conversion tables for schools and local authorities to use for the 2024 national curriculum tests.
2024 key stage 1 scaled score conversion tables – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Scaled score conversion tables for schools and local authorities to use for the 2024 national curriculum tests.
Multiplication tables check – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Information and guidance about the multiplication tables check.
Information for Parents
The engagement model: information for parents – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Â
This leaflet contains information for parents about the engagement model teacher assessment tool.
Key stage 1 and 2 national curriculum tests: information for parents
Information leaflet and videos for parents about end of key stage assessments (often referred to as SATs) for 7 and 11 year olds.
For more information contact us here or call us on 0121 366 9950.
