Changes for assessment of pupils working below standard of national curriculum

The Department for Education (DfE) has published (external link)  pre-key stage standards for pupils who are working below the overall standard of national curriculum assessments but are engaged in subject-specific study. The new standards have been published for Key Stage 1 (external link)  and Key Stage 2 (external link)

These will be used for the small proportion of pupils who are unable to work to the standard of the national curriculum, many of whom have special educational needs. The DfE say that the change “will help ensure these pupils are better supported to transition onto the national curriculum, when and if they are ready to do so… [and] give schools the information they need to make sure these children are realising their full potential”.

Governing boards need to be confident in the information provided to them by executive leaders in order to hold them to account effectively for the progress and attainment of all pupils, including those with special educational needs. Those governing should ensure that they understand how the new standards will be used in their school and should work with school leaders to ensure that the appropriate level of information is provided to them.