Early in 2011, the government announced a major review of the National Curriculum. This review will look at many aspects of the current curriculum and may make changes to the Key Stages. The findings of this review will be published at the end of 2012 and then will come into force in September 2013.

The following information is currently accurate but might change in line with the new review:

SATs or Scholastic Aptitude Tests are the National Curriclulum assessments and tests at the end of Key Stages 1 and 2.

They are designed to give you and your child's school information about how your child is doing. Your child’s results are measured against the National Curriculum Levels. These will be given to you in a report from the school. The results of the tests and the teachers’ assessment may be different, and so it’s important to look at both to get an all-round view of your child’s progress. For example, a teacher may feel your child is doing better in a subject as a whole than in the parts of the subject covered by a test.

At the end of each key stage (excluding the Foundation Stage), you will get a report from the school telling you:

• the teacher assessment levels your child has achieved
• the results for all the children in your child's age group in the school
• the national results for the previous year
• the results of your child's tests ( Key Stages 2 only)

There are no formal tests during the foundation stage.

When your child first starts reception class, their teacher carries out a baseline assessment, to find out about your child's learning needs. It's not a formal test. It's often done simply by doing some regular classroom activity with your child, such as looking at a book with them, so they won't even be aware they're being assessed. It's not something you or your child should worry about.

All the progress that your child makes during the foundation stage in Pre School/ Nursery and Reception class at school is noted down and recorded in a booklet called the 'Foundation Stage Profile' (FSP). This is the new national assessment scheme. It helps teachers make good use of observations of each child and summarise their achievements at the end of the Foundation Stage when they are ready to move on to Year 1.

What your child has to do:-

They will have to undergo a series of tests and assesments in the following areas:

• Reading
• Writing (including handwriting and spelling)
• Maths

The tasks and tests can be taken at a time the school chooses. They last for less than three hours altogether.

Your seven year olds’ teacher will assess them in following areas:

• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking and listening
• Maths
• Science

The results are not reported separately but are used to help the teacher assess your child's work. By the age of seven, most children are expected to achieve level 2.

Since Summer 2005 the emphasis on KS1 SATs has moved towards class teacher assessment and they are no longer available to download. The tests prior to this date are in the public domain and are available to download below.

2003 English Tests >>
2004 English Tests >>
2003 Maths Tests >>
2004 Maths Tests >>

What your child has to do:-

Key Stage 2 tests for 11 year olds cover:

• English - reading, writing (including handwriting) and spelling
• Maths - including mental arithmetic
• Science (This is not compulsary but a lot of schools still complete the test)

These tests are taken on set days in mid-May, and last less than five-and-a-half hours altogether. Your eleven year olds’ teacher will also assess them in following areas:

• English
• Maths
• Science

By the age of 11, most children are expected to achieve level 4. The teachers’ assessment is moderated by your local authority. This is to make sure teachers make consistent assessments of children's work.

From Summer 2010 Science will not be tested formally at the end of KS2. They are available to download below.

2010 KS2 Tests >>
2009 KS2 Tests >>
2008 KS2 Tests >>
2007 KS2 Tests >> Department of Education >>

The website from the government department with in- depth detail of all the changes to the curriculum and when they are due to happen.

National Curriculum Online >>

The website detailing the programs of study and levels expected from the National Curriculum.