Key stage 2 tests: local authority monitoring visits
Guidance for local authorities on how to conduct monitoring visits for the key stage 2 (KS2) tests, including completing the monitoring visit form.
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Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to monitor the administration of key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests. This guidance outlines how local authority representatives should do this.
Monitoring visits help to ensure that:
- the security and confidentiality of test materials are maintained
- KS2 tests are administered correctly and consistently
Monitoring visits also give headteachers a formal opportunity to demonstrate how their school is administering the tests.
Local authorities must undertake monitoring visits to at least 10% of their schools, including:
- local authority maintained schools
- participating pupil referral units or special schools
- academies that have chosen to be monitored by the local authority
- independent schools that have chosen to be monitored by the local authority
- a sample of schools which the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) will identify
Local authorities should not arrange more than one visit to an individual school unless STA raised specific concerns. We recommend that approximately:
- 10% of visits take place during the week prior to the test period
- 80% of visits are carried out during the test period
- 10% of visits take place immediately after the test period
We recommend that each local authority gives responsibility to one person to act as their monitoring visits co-ordinator. The monitoring visits co-ordinator should:
- arrange monitoring visits
- select monitoring visitors
- brief monitoring visitors on the purpose, scope and procedures involved in conducting monitoring visits
- provide monitoring visitors with the information they will need for the visits
- process completed monitoring visit forms
Before any monitoring visits take place, local authorities may choose to contact all schools within their authority to explain the purpose of the visits and make them aware of this guidance. Local authorities may give the names of individuals involved in the visits, but must not identify any specific schools that will be visited in advance.
If schools receive a visit and wish to confirm the identity of any visitors, they should contact the local authority directly, or phone the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 if the visitor is from STA.
Updates to this page
Last updated 25 March 2024 + show all updates
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Updated guidance for carrying out monitoring visits in 2024.
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Updated guidance for 2023
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Updated guidance for the current academic year
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First published.