The Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) is a short, interactive, one-to-one check of early literacy, communication, and mathematics skills for children in their first six weeks of reception, used to measure school progress by Year 6. It is not a pass/fail test, requires no preparation and results are not shared with parents,

Key Details for Parents

  • Purpose: The RBA provides a "starting point" to measure how much progress schools make with pupils between reception and the end of Year 6.
  • Process: Conducted within the first 6 weeks of starting school, the teacher works one-to-one with the child using practical resources (e.g., picture cards, physical objects).
  • Content: The assessment covers early language, communication, and mathematics.
  • No Preparation Needed: Parents do not need to prepare their children for this, as it is designed to be low-pressure and often feels like a fun activity to the child.
  • Results: There is no "pass" or "fail" mark. The numerical score is not shared with parents, schools, or teachers. Instead, the teacher receives a qualitative narrative description of how the child performed, which can be requested by parents.
  • Inclusivity: The assessment is designed to be inclusive, with modified materials available for children with visual or hearing impairments. 

The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check is is a statutory 5-10 minute assessment in June for children in England to confirm they have learned decoding to an age appropriate standard. It consists of 40 words (real and non-words) to test, ensuring they can read accurately. If children struggle, they receive support and retake the check in Year 2. 

Key Information for Parents

  • When: The check is conducted in June for all Year 1 pupils.
  • What it Checks: Children will read 40 words aloud to a teacher, focusing on their ability to sound out and blend phonemes (sounds).
  • The Content: It includes 20 real words and 20 non-words (pseudo-words, often called "alien words") to ensure children are decoding rather than guessing.
  • The Goal: The purpose is to identify children who need extra help with reading.
  • Results: Parents will receive their child’s results in their end-of-year report, detailing whether they met the expected standard.
  • Retakes: If a child does not pass, they will receive additional support and retake the check in Year 2. 

How to Support Your Child

  • Practice Daily: Encourage blending sounds together (e.g., c-a-t = cat).
  • Use “Alien” Words: Practice reading made-up words (e.g., "blan," "frap") to improve decoding skills.
  • Read Regularly: Read stories together, highlighting new or tricky words.
  • Stay Calm: Reassure your child that the check is just a simple, short activity with their teacher. 

The Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) is a statutory online assessment, for pupils in Year 4, to test fluency in times tables up to 12 x 12. Pupils answer 25 questions with 6 seconds per question. No "pass" mark exists, but results help schools identify pupils needing support. 

Key Information for Parents 

  • When: The 2026 check occurs within a 2-week period from Monday, 1 June to Friday, 12 June, with a catch-up week available.
  • Structure: 25 questions,, each with a 6-second time limit. There are 3 practice questions to start.
  • Content: Focuses on the 2 to 12 times tables, specifically the 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 tables, which are considered more challenging.
  • Purpose: To ensure children can recall multiplication facts rapidly, which is critical for secondary school mathematics.
  • Results: Children receive a score out of 25, which will be reported to parents in their child's end-of-year report.
  • Support: Access arrangements are available for children with special educational needs or English as an additional language. 

How to Support Your Child 

  • Practice Times Tables: Regular, low-stress practice, such as using Emile. 
  • Focus on the Harder Tables: Emphasize the 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 tables.
  • Build Confidence: Reassure them that the test is just to see what they know and is not a high-stakes exam. 

Year 6 SATs (Key Stage 2) are mandatory assessments in England, usually held in May (11th–14th May 2025), testing Reading, Maths, and Grammar/Punctuation/Spelling. They measure school performance and identify pupils' progress before secondary school. Results are sent to parents/carers in July with writing and science assessed by teachers.  

Key Aspects of Year 6 SATs for Parents

  • Purpose: The tests measure school standards and show where children need extra support, rather than being "pass/fail" exams for individuals.
  • What is Tested:
    • English Reading: 1-hour paper.
    • Mathematics: Three papers: Arithmetic (40 marks) and two Reasoning papers (35 marks each).
    • Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling (GPS): A 45-minute paper and a separate spelling test (approx. 15 mins).
    • Writing & Science: Assessed by teachers, not a final test.
  • Support & Preparation: Children should not feel immense pressure; preparation is handled by schools.
  • Results: Parents receive raw scores and a "scaled score" indicating if their child has met the expected standard, in July. 

Some pupils, such as those with special educational needs or disabilities, may have alternative arrangements or be exempt from certain papers.