Reception baseline assessment

All new reception pupils are expected to take the reception baseline assessment. Find out how it works so you're prepared to carry it out.

Last reviewed on 30 June 2022
School types: All · School phases: Nursery, Primary
Ref: 10702
Contents
  1. How it works
  2. What's being assessed

How it works

When you do it

You should carry out the assessment within the first 6 weeks of a pupil joining your reception.

This is regardless of when they join the class, unless they have been assessed previously.

It's carried out 1-to-1 and takes up to 20 minutes per pupil to complete. There's no need to prepare pupils for the assessment.

Who carries it out

The assessments must be administered by one of the following:

  • A reception teacher
  • A reception teaching assistant
  • A suitably qualified practitioner (e.g. early years lead or SENCO)

They should be familiar to the pupil, and be fully trained and familiar with the materials.

The assessment 

The assessment consists of:

Each task