Apr
Advice For Schools
KS2 SATs Monitoring – Key Information for Schools
As the KS2 Assessment season draws closer, Assessment and Moderation Lead at Services For Education, Emma Mudge, clarifies the key requirements for KS2 SATs monitoring visits.
KS2 SATs Monitoring visits are something that every school leader and Year 6 class teacher dreads! In this blog, I will detail what to expect from the process, which should help reduce some of the fear for you and your staff.
A KS2 SATs monitoring visit typically begins at 8 am on a test day. Local Authority moderators will check the security of papers, access arrangement evidence, and the classroom environment to ensure the integrity of the National Curriculum Assessments. Read on for more detail.
When Will We Receive a Monitoring Visit?
Monitoring visits occur every 10 years; however, alerts and triggers may mean a school has additional visits within this period.
Most schools will have their visits during the SATs week itself, but some will have their visit conducted during the week before or the week after.
These pre- or post-SATs visits will mainly focus on the secure storage of the papers and records kept by the schools.
What To Expect From a KS2 SATs Monitoring Visit
The individual who will conduct your KS2 SATs Monitoring visit will arrive at your school at 8 am and will need to meet with the Headteacher.
During the SATs week visits, they will look at the following:
- Security of Papers – is there any evidence of tampering? Have they been locked away? Is access managed by someone not involved in the administration? Are the correct number of test papers there?
- The Access Arrangements – Is there evidence provided for the rationale behind each of the access arrangements given? Have these been planned out and organised appropriately?
- The Classroom Environment – Have displays been covered up? Is seating adequately spaced?
- The Administration of the Tests – Is there any evidence of pupil cheating? Is any adult support provided within the guidance expectations?
- The Packing of the Completed Tests – Is the register completed correctly? Are papers packed according to the guidance? Are completed tests stored securely?
Read on for more detail.
1. Security of Papers
Most leaders that we visit know and understand the importance of maintaining the integrity of the tests. This means that as soon as the tests arrive you should check that you have everything that you need (if anything is missing or damaged, contact the National Curriculum Assessments Helpline on 0300 303 3013) and then store them in a secure place.
If they need to be accessed, this should be recorded in a log, and access to the materials should be managed by someone who is not involved in administration of the tests.
This last point sometimes trips leaders up, as the person managing test paper access is unlikely to be a senior leader in the school, as senior leaders are almost always involved in the tests in some capacity or other.
Another aspect of the guidance that can be missed is that all materials, including any unused papers and the reading booklets, should be locked away under the same conditions as before the test, until the end of the test timetable variation week – in 2026, this is Friday the 22nd May.
In 2026, Friday 22nd May marks the end of the test timetable variation week.
2. Access Arrangements – Key Aspects to Note
The biggest tip which we can give to teachers and school leaders is be prepared!
Ensure that you have a folder of evidence which demonstrates why the child requires access arrangements. This evidence may include past papers, a record of reading speed, evidence of writing legibility, an IEP/ISP/1 page profile etc.
Also read the guidance carefully, many access arrangements can be implemented by the school if this reflects normal classroom practice, without needing to request permission from the STA. These can include:
- rest breaks
- a 1to1 reader (for the maths and GPS papers only)
- translating the paper, (for the maths paper only)
- photocopying the test onto coloured paper
- using highlighters
Consider carefully what the individual requires – do they really need additional time, or would they benefit more from rest breaks and working in a smaller group?
If a pupil requires additional time, early opening (over 1 hr before the time of the test) or compensatory marks for spelling, applications must be made via the NCA Portal.
Remember, you can open the tests up to 1hr before the test is scheduled to begin if needed, without notifying the STA. This is to allow you to photocopy test papers onto coloured paper, enhance diagrams, enlarge text, prepare a translator or signer, or to prepare any equipment needed.
If a child has an EHCP, they will automatically qualify for 25% additional time and if they use the modified large print or braille version of the test, they are automatically entitled to 100% additional time.
A change for 2026 is that a notification of aid needs to be completed if a child has used a scribe, transcribe, word processor, or technical or electronic aids. This will be available on the NCA portal and must be completed before the Headteacher Declaration Form is submitted.
3. Classroom Environment
When the pupils are sitting the tests, it is important to ensure that they won’t see or hear anything which may give them an unfair advantage.
This means that we need to ensure that all displays are covered, support resources/scaffolds are removed and the pupils are placed in a position where they are unable to see each other’s papers.
Administrators should do everything they can to make sure that pupils can work in a quiet place and can work independently.
The pupils should be able to see a clock so that they can manage their own time as they complete the test, but it is also acceptable for test administrators to give reminders of the time remaining if needed (e.g. “You are now halfway through the amount of time allowed in the test” or “You now have 5 minutes left in this test”).
Pupils should also have the school name and DFE number visible for them to copy onto their test answer booklet.
4. Administration
For each individual test there is clear administration guidance which comes with the test papers, but there is also the Test Administration Guidance itself (which was updated in March 2026), so make sure that you have read this updated documentation and then share it with all of the staff who will be participating in the administration of the tests, prior to SATs week itself.
The Test Administration Guidance was updated in March 2026. Ensure you have read the updated documentation and shared with all staff who will be participating in administration of the tests.
This training of all adults involved is of high importance so as to ensure that any pupil-adult interaction is within the guidelines.
On the day, the test papers will be accompanied by an administration leaflet, which you can photocopy and give to any adult who may require it. Ensure that all of these are collected up with any unused test papers and then stored securely until Friday 22nd May.
Careful thought is needed regarding the number of staff members who are part of the test administration. The STA advises allocating at least 2 adults in each room to ensure the integrity of the test, although this may not always be possible.
5. Packing Completed Tests
Once the test is completed, the scripts need to be taken away from the classroom and collated into alphabetical order. These then should be packed carefully following the instructions provided in the STA Guidance – Key stage 2: returning test scripts – GOV.UK .
It is advised by the STA that 2 members of staff complete this process to quality assure the procedure. I would recommend that you watch a useful video detailing this procedure, the link to which is in the Returning Tests Scripts Guidance (available at the end of April 2026).
The attendance registers are to be completed via the NCA portal from 2026, another useful video guiding you how to do this accurately will be available in the Returning Test Scripts Guidance at the end of April 2026.
Any notification of aid forms must also be completed and submitted at the same time.
Timetable Variations
If a pupil is absent on the day of the test, then an application can be made vis the NCA portal for a timetable variation. If approved, this means that the pupil can take the test up to 5 days after the date it was due to be taken. It is up to the school to ensure that the pupil does not interact with others before they take the test so as to maintain the integrity of the test.
Final Thoughts
As School leaders, and as Year 6 class teachers, we are incredibly busy and so have limited time! Consequently, we often live in fear of missing some key guidance about these important processes.
It is key, therefore that we take on some useful tips to help us to prepare for and correctly complete both the administration of the Key Stage 2 SATs:
- Register to receive the STA alerts so that you get emailed when there is an update to any guidance
- Be prepared – read through any guidance beforehand, train your staff and carefully consider the individual requirements of the children
- Regularly log into the NCA Portal to ensure that you know where the key forms and documentation are located, and to keep abreast of any requirements and deadlines.
- Arrange for year 6 teachers and leaders (where possible) to attend peer moderation and/or training which is led by trained moderators. Misconceptions are common!
- If necessary, delegate tasks (and reading) between key staff members
Need Further Assessment Support?
It is so important that you and any staff involved in the administration of tests are confident with the current requirements. When I visit schools to conduct monitoring visits, it’s often just minor, avoidable slip-ups that cause the issues, due to outdated knowledge or lack of preparation.
That’s where Services For Education can help. As the team that has fulfilled statutory duties for Birmingham LA for over 10 years, we know exactly what should happen before, during and after the assessment period.
Here are some of the courses we provide to support you to best prepare for the requirements of statutory assessment in KS1 and KS2:
- Preparing for the Essential Assessment Processes at the End of KS1 – Teachers and Assessment Leaders New to Year 2
- Preparing for Statutory Assessment Processes at the End of KS2 – Teachers New to Year 6
- Updates and Guidance for Statutory Assessment Processes at the End of KS2 – Teachers Experienced in Year 6
View Dates and Book Your Place Here.
Prefer a Bespoke Approach?
If you would benefit from a full audit of your school’s assessment systems, we provide Tailored Primary Assessment Consultancy to cover your school’s specific needs.
Get in touch: Email us at hello@servicesforeducation.co.uk to discuss a visit.
Documentation to Refer To:
It is crucial that you are familiar with and understand the full requirements of the guidance published by the STA, which you can find via the links below:
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- 2026 key stage 2 assessment and reporting arrangements – GOV.UK
- 2026 key stage 2 test administration guidance – GOV.UK
- 2026 key stage 2 access arrangements guidance – GOV.UK
- Key stage 2: returning test scripts – GOV.UK
- Key stage 2 tests: modified test administration guidance (MTAG) – GOV.UK
- Key stage 2 tests: varying the test timetable – GOV.UK
- Key stage 2 tests: special consideration guidance – GOV.UK
- Key stage 2 teacher assessment guidance 2026 – GOV.UK
- 2018/19 Teacher assessment frameworks at the end of key stage 2
If you found this blog useful, you may also be interested in reading the following blogs:
Need Tailored Primary Assessment Consultancy?
Our highly experienced advisers work with schools to build a bespoke package of training and advice to develop excellent classroom assessment practices that impact on pupil learning and progress across the curriculum.
Having delivered statutory assessment duties in Birmingham for over a decade, we are in a unique position to provide primary schools with the best support, guidance, and training to prepare for the requirements.
find out more About the Author
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.
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.
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.
