National curriculum tests: how independent schools can order test materials
Information for independent and non-maintained special schools about ordering key stage 1, phonics screening check and key stage 2 test materials.
If you wish to take part in the national curriculum tests this year you must order test materials.
The ‘Test orders’ section of the NCA tools website is open until Friday 28 November.
Key stage 1 tasks and tests
You must place a test order by Friday 28 November via the ‘Test orders’ section of NCA tools. If you don’t place an order by this deadline your school won’t be able to participate in the key stage 1 (KS1) assessment and reporting arrangements.
You must confirm your intent to issue a privacy notice to the parents of pupils who are going to participate in the tasks and tests. You must gain approval from the parents of each participating pupil before placing a test order.
This is the final year that you can use the 2007 and 2009 versions of the tests. These will be replaced by a new suite of materials when the new national curriculum is assessed for the first time in May 2016. Please bear this in mind when ordering materials.
Standard materials
You must order standard versions of the KS1 materials via the ‘Test orders’ section of NCA tools.
Modified materials
If you need modified versions of the materials you must also order these from the ‘Test orders’ section of NCA tools.
Braille and modified large print test materials are available for pupils with a visual impairment. Read the information about different versions of the tasks and tests to help you decide which will be most appropriate for your pupils.
Phonics screening check
Independent schools can’t formally participate in the check. You will be able to download the 2015 materials from GOV.UK in June, once the check administration window has closed.
Key stage 2 tests
To participate in the 2015 key stage 2 tests your school must:
- order tests by Friday 28 November via the ‘Test orders’ section of NCA tools
- confirm your intent to issue a privacy notice to the parents of pupils who are going to participate in the tests and gain approval from the parents before placing a test order
- register pupils for the levels 3-5, and any level 6 tests, using the ‘Pupil registration’ section of NCA tools
Pupil registration opens on Monday 23 February and must be completed by Friday 20 March. Any pupils not registered for the tests by the pupil registration deadline will not be able to take part in them.
Standard test materials
You must order standard versions of the levels 3-5 tests via the ‘Test orders’ section of NCA tools. This includes additional copies of the CDs for the mental mathematics test if you are administering this test in a number of test rooms.
You can’t order standard versions of the level 6 tests. Materials will be based on the number of pupils you register for those tests during the pupil registration process.
Modified test materials
Modified levels 3-5 and level 6 test materials available via the ‘Test orders’ section of the NCA tools website are:
- modified test materials for pupils with a visual impairment
- modified mental mathematics test materials for pupils with a hearing impairment and pupils who use sign language
Read the information about modified versions of the tests to help you decide which materials will be most appropriate for your pupils.
You will only receive level 6 modified materials if you also complete the pupil registration process.
Mark schemes and mark scheme amendments
You can’t order mark schemes or mark scheme amendments. These will be published on NCA tools after all test scripts have been collected for marking in May.
Help and support
Standards and Testing Agency
Email assessments@education.gov.uk
National curriculum assessments helpline 0300 303 3013
For general enquiries about national curriculum tests.
Standards and Testing Agency
Email modifiedtestshelpline@pia.co.uk
STA modified test helpline 0300 303 3019
For guidance on ordering modified test materials.