SATs

Key dates for SATs and phonics checks: 2025, 2026, 2027

Government has released the key dates for primary assessment - including SATs and phonics checks - for the next three years

Government has released the key dates for primary assessment - including SATs and phonics checks - for the next three years

The government has published key dates for primary assessments over the next three years, including key stage 1 and 2 SATs.

The dates cover the reception baseline assessment, key stage 1 tests (which are now optional), key stage 2 tests, multiplication tables and phonics checks.

Here are the key dates for your diary…

Academic year 2024 to 2025

Reception baseline assessment

Schools must complete the reception baseline assessment for each child in the first 6 weeks after they enter reception.

Early years foundation stage profile assessment

Schools must complete the early years foundation stage profile assessment between April and June of the academic year in which children turn 5, which is usually the reception year.

Key stage 1 SATs tests (now optional)

It is recommended the optional tests are administered during May 2025.

Key stage 2 SATs tests

The statutory key stage 2 tests are timetabled from Monday May 12, to Thursday May 15, 2025. Here are the specific dates:

DateActivity
Monday 12 May 2025English grammar, punctuation and spelling papers 1 and 2
Tuesday 13 May 2025English reading
Wednesday 14 May 2025Mathematics papers 1 and 2
Thursday 15 May 2025Mathematics paper 3

Multiplication tables check

Schools must administer the multiplication tables check within the two-week period from Monday June 2, 2025.

Phonics screening check

Schools must administer the phonics screening check within the one-week period from Monday June 9, 2025.

You can download a full list of dates for key stage 2 assessments here:
Key stage 2 assessments calendar 2024 to 2025

The key stage 1 assessments calendar isn’t published yet.

Academic year 2025 to 2026

Reception baseline assessment

Schools must complete the reception baseline assessment for each child in the first 6 weeks after they enter reception.

Early years foundation stage profile assessment

Schools must complete the early years foundation stage profile assessment between April and June of the academic year in which children turn 5, which is usually the reception year.

Key stage 1 SATs tests (optional)

It is recommended that the optional tests are administered during May 2026.

Key stage 2 SATs tests

The statutory key stage 2 tests are timetabled from Monday May 11, to Thursday May 14, 2026.

Multiplication tables check

Schools must administer the multiplication tables check within the two-week period from Monday June 1, 2026.

Phonics screening check

Schools must administer the phonics screening check within the one-week period from Monday June 8, 2026.

Academic year 2026 to 2027

Reception baseline assessment

Schools must complete the reception baseline assessment for each child in the first 6 weeks after they enter reception.

Early years foundation stage profile assessment

Schools must complete the early years foundation stage profile assessment between April and June of the academic year in which children turn 5, which is usually the reception year.

Key stage 1 SATs tests (optional)

It is recommended that the optional key stage 1 tests are administered during May 2027.

Key stage 2 SATs tests

The statutory key stage 2 tests are timetabled from Monday May 10, to Thursday May 13, 2027.

Multiplication tables check

Schools must administer the multiplication tables check within the 2-week period from Monday 7 June 2027.

Phonics screening check

Schools must administer the phonics screening check within the one-week period from Monday June 14, 2027.

Latest education roles from

Head of Programme 2D Studies – City Lit

Head of Programme 2D Studies – City Lit

FEA

Group Director of Governance & Company Secretary

Group Director of Governance & Company Secretary

New City College

Principal (Harrow College) – HRUC

Principal (Harrow College) – HRUC

FEA

Deputy Director of Apprenticeships

Deputy Director of Apprenticeships

Manchester Metropolitan University

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Helping every learner use AI responsibly

AI didn’t wait to be invited into the classroom. It burst in mid-lesson. Across UK schools, pupils are already...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Retire Early, Live Fully: What Teachers Need to Consider First

Specialist Financial Adviser, William Adams, from Wesleyan Financial Services discusses what teachers should be considering when it comes to...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

SATs

Scaled scores for 2025 key stage 2 SATs announced

Department for Education publishes marks pupils need to meet the 'expected' standard

Freddie Whittaker
SATs

DfE scraps £1.6m key stage 1 SATs paper opt-out scheme

Unions say 'common sense has prevailed' after an estimated £1.6m was spent last year on optional papers

Samantha Booth
SATs

Primary school disadvantage gap narrows

But the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their better-off peers remains above pre-pandemic levels

Samantha Booth
SATs

SATs helpline struggling, and 9 more findings from STA accounts

Agency plans to 'transform' how it engages with schools, but still misses phone targets

Samantha Booth

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *