Compulsory SAT tests are carried out every year in school with children in  Year 6. In addition to this children in Year 1 take a phonics reading test in June. This test is a series of words – proper and nonsense words which children are asked to read using their phonic knowledge. If a child in Year 1 does not get the required number of words right to pass the test they are able to resit it in Year 2.

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check (Year 1 pupils)

We are required to administer a phonics screening check to children in Year 1.

The 2025 check will take place during the week beginning Monday 9th June 2025.

Year-1-Phonics-Screening-Check-A-Guide-for-Parents-PowerPoint

Useful Resources for Phonics Revision

Multiplication tables check (Year 4 pupils)

The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will help schools to identify pupils who have not yet mastered their times tables, so that additional support can be provided.

Schools will have a 2-week check window, starting on Monday 1 June 2026, to administer the MTC. Teachers will have the flexibility to administer the check to individual pupils, small groups or a whole class at the same time.

Key Stage 2 Assessment (Year 6 pupils)

In Year 6, before children leave us to move to Secondary school they undertake tests in Reading Comprehension, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation (SPAG) and Numeracy. These tests are set by the Department for Education and must be taken in a particular week in May. All maintained schools in the country take the same test on the same day.

This year SAT week begins on Monday 11th May and the timetable of when each test happens is below.

Schools are required to administer the following tests: English Reading; English Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling and Mathematics. 

The 2026 end of Key Stage 2 national curriculum tests will be held in the week beginning Monday 11th May 2026

Monday 11th: English grammar, punctuation and spelling papers 1 and 2

Tuesday 12th: English reading

Wednesday 13th: Mathematics papers 1 and 2

Thursday 14th: Mathematics paper 3

The papers from the Year 6 tests are marked externally and results published by the Department for Education in early July. Parents and children will be made aware of these as soon as they are released to us.

How you can help

Try to talk to your child ahead of the test week and reassure them – re-iterating the message that they just need to try their best and not worry.

Make sure that they have a reasonably early night during SAT week. They will feel under a degree of stress so try to be patient.

Ensure that they have a healthy breakfast before coming to school. Once in school we provide milk, juice or fruit prior to the tests starting to those children who want it.

Once home ask your child how the day went and what they think they did well.