Each year the Standards and Testing Agency (STA), issues guidance for schools to support them with their preparation for, and administration of, the KS2 tests in May. In particular, they detail the access arrangements that schools may use to enable as many pupils as possible, working at the overall standard of the tests, to participate.
Access arrangements fall into three categories: those that require permission from STA in advance, those that require schools to notify STA of their use after the administration of the test/s, and those that do not require approval or notification but do reflect normal classroom practice.
These briefings will enable schools to understand the access arrangement requirements to inform their decision making in preparation for test administration and also to understand the requirements of the monitoring process.
The sharing of best practice, learning from monitoring visits and FAQs will help schools to avoid situations that may be considered to affect the integrity and independence of the tests, and which could result in an allegation of maladministration and the annulment of results.

Testimonials:

For more information, contact us here.

About the Adviser

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.  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.