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Key Stage (KS) 1 and KS2 assessments

Find answers to FAQs on how to comply with statutory requirements for Key Stage (KS) 1 and 2 assessments. Use our checklist of key dates and deadlines, and know what to report to your local authority and parents/carers.

Last reviewed on 13 November 2025See updates
•Ref: 45608
Contents
  1. Statutory requirements: phonics screening check
  2. As a headteacher, what are my responsibilities?
  3. Administering the phonics screening check
  4. Key Stage (KS) 1 National Curriculum tests 
  5. Reporting to parents/carers

Statutory requirements: phonics screening check

Who do the requirements apply to?

  • Maintained schools
  • Academies (including free schools)
  • Special schools (including maintained special schools and special academies)
  • Alternative provision (AP) settings (including pupil referral units (PRUs))
  • Independent schools that have chosen to participate in the Key Stage (KS) 1 assessments

Friday 14 November 2025 Deadline to: Decline phonics screening check materials on the National Curriculum Assessments (NCA) portal, if your school has no pupils working at the standard of the check Friday 9 January 2026 Deadline for academies to: Have a written agreement for monitoring the phonics screening check in place with a chosen local authority (LA) Notify on the NCA portal if they are not using their geographical LA for monitoring the phonics screening check March Phonics screening test administration guidance published Tuesday 21 April Deadline to order braille versions of the phonics screening check Monday 18 to Friday 22 May Schools receive phonics screening check materials Monday 8 to Friday 12 June Phonics screening