The government has made the pragmatic decision to delay the statutory implementation of the reception baseline assessment by 12 months to September 2021.  

This was the decision which we had recommended following the clear message from members that, given the current context, it would not be appropriate or indeed possible to press ahead with the statutory implementation of the baseline assessment in September 2020.  We are pleased that the DfE has listened to our advice and the views of our members.

Early adopter year

The government is offering schools a voluntary opportunity to participate in the reception baseline assessment in the autumn and schools have been sent a unique link and password to sign up by 24 July 2020.

Participation is entirely a choice for each school, even after signing up.

Those schools who want to participate will receive assessment materials shortly before the October 2020 half term, with the assessment window opening for six-weeks after the October half term.

Key stage 1 statutory assessments

In terms of the wider implications, this delay could mean that the removal of key stage one statutory assessments is also put back.

We are urging the government to explore how it might be possible to stick to the original timescales when it comes to removing key stage one assessments. This is in line with our long-standing position of reducing the number of statutory tests and assessments that take place in the primary years overall.