Guidance

Optional key stage 1 modified test administration guidance: administering to pupils with a hearing impairment

Updated 13 March 2024

1. Introduction

This guidance will help you prepare to administer the optional key stage 1 (KS1) tests to pupils with a hearing impairment. We recommend you follow it to ensure these pupils can access the tests properly and are not at a disadvantage.

The information in this guidance expands on section 6 of the 2024 optional KS1 tests guidance.

You should use this guidance together with the:

• optional KS1 test administration guidance
• test administration instructions provided with the standard test materials

The test administration instructions include information about what you need to do before, during and after each test. Schools may also want to use practice test materials to help prepare for the tests.

2. Planning for the tests

2.1 Access arrangements

If administering under test conditions, in addition to the optional KS1 tests: access arrangements you should follow the specific guidance below when administering the tests to pupils with a hearing impairment.

Making further adaptations to the tests

If schools need to make modifications to test papers to meet a pupil’s needs, or if signers need access to the papers to prepare for the administration of the tests, they should not open test materials before Wednesday 1 May.

We suggest you consider administering the tests to pupils who need specific access arrangements after the initial test administration has taken place. You can then use the opened test materials to make the necessary arrangements. Alternatively, you can use the downloadable versions that will be available on the Primary Assessment Gateway (PAG) from Wednesday 1 May.

Use of communicators and sign language

Pupils who use British Sign Language, or other sign-supported communication, may be supported in the tests if this is normal classroom practice. Section 3 provides specific guidance for each test.

2.2 Compensatory marks for spelling

Compensatory marks are available for the spelling paper of the English grammar, punctuation and spelling test.

They may be awarded to pupils who have a profound hearing impairment and who:

• do not lip read or use a signing system
• can only use fingerspelling signing

The ‘Compensatory marks for spelling’ application form will be available to download from the PAG from Thursday 16 May. Schools need to add the compensatory mark for ‘Paper 1: spelling’ to the raw score from ‘Paper 2: questions’, before converting the overall raw score to a scaled score.

3. Administering the tests under test conditions

Schools may choose to administer the non-statutory optional KS1 tests under test conditions.

3.1 English reading

You can use sign language to convey and explain the general instructions, including the information on the front cover of the test papers and any directions that are not part of the actual questions or texts. You may also sign the practice page and practice questions.

3.2 Mathematics

Test administration instructions for pupils with hearing impairments accompany the standard test materials. For pupils with hearing impairments, you may use sign language to communicate the test questions, but be careful when signing numbers and mathematical signs. Ensure pupils are not given an advantage by having the function inadvertently explained to them. Guidance on using sign language for specific questions will be provided in the optional KS1 test administration guidance, where appropriate.

Paper 2: reasoning

The test administration instructions include an optional script. This is for pupils who need extra visual support to access the 5 aural questions.

We suggest pupils use the script alongside their test booklet while you read out the questions. Pupils using the optional pupil aural script may need support so they can manage the script and test paper while you are reading aloud.

You should only use the optional script where you are confident that its use will not confuse pupils.

3.3 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test

You may only use sign language and give additional explanation as needed:

• to convey the general instructions
• where the test administration instructions advise you to read the questions to the pupil
• to read, or sign back to the pupil, any part of their response

Paper 1: spelling

You may use a communicator or sign language interpreter. If you present the spelling paper through sign language, you should not use fingerspelling.

Paper 2: questions

We suggest you use the Notes for readers in the English grammar, punctuation and spelling tests to help you understand how to communicate particular types of questions.

4. Marking

We will make mark schemes available on the PAG on Wednesday 1 May.

You can refer to the optional KS1 test administration guidance for general information about marking the tests.

You will need to use the standard mark schemes to mark test scripts completed by pupils with a hearing impairment. There are no amendments to mark schemes for pupils with a hearing impairment.

5. Further information

5.1 General enquiries

For general enquiries about test administration, call the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 or email assessments@education.gov.uk.

5.2 Message us

For queries relating to access arrangements to meet a pupil’s specific needs, schools can use the ‘Message us – access arrangements’ form on the PAG.