Statutory guidance

Key stage 2 modified test administration guidance: administering to pupils with a hearing impairment

Updated 11 March 2024

1. Introduction

This guidance will help you prepare to administer the key stage 2 (KS2) tests to pupils with a hearing impairment. You should 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 7 of the 2024 KS2 assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA).

You should use this guidance together with the:

• KS2 test administration guidance
• test administration instructions provided with the standard test materials

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

Headteachers are responsible for the test administration arrangements within their school. Failure to adhere to the guidance could lead to a maladministration investigation.

2. Planning for the tests

2.1 Access arrangements

In addition to the KS2 access arrangements guidance, you should follow the specific guidance below when administering the tests to pupils with a hearing impairment.

Adults providing support for an access arrangement must not be a relative, carer or guardian of the pupil.

Test administrators should note for their own records where they provide an access arrangement in the tests and, if appropriate, the name of the scribe, reader, prompter or translator used by each pupil.

Making further adaptations to the tests

Schools may open test papers up to one hour before a test is due to start without seeking permission from the Standards and Testing Agency (STA). This flexibility is designed to help schools that 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.

If you need to open test papers (including modified test papers) more than one hour early, you must have an approved application for early opening. The deadline for applications was Friday 8 March. Applications after the deadline will only be considered under exceptional circumstances. Examples of exceptional circumstances are where a pupil’s needs have changed, or if a pupil joined the school, after Friday 8 March.

In such cases, you should contact STA using the ‘Message us – access arrangements’ form on the Primary Assessment Gateway (PAG) to discuss the pupil’s requirements.

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

You should apply for compensatory marks in advance on the PAG. The deadline for applications is Monday 22 April. Applications after the deadline will only be considered under exceptional circumstances. Examples of exceptional circumstances include where a pupil’s needs have changed, or a pupil has joined the school, after Monday 22 April. In such cases, you should contact STA using the ‘Message us – access arrangements’ form on the PAG to discuss the pupil’s requirements.

3. Administering the tests

3.1 When to open test materials

Instructions are included on the front of each test pack detailing when you can open the test materials to prepare for their administration.

You must not open test packs early to familiarise yourself with test content.

3.2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling

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: questions

You should use the Notes for readers in the English grammar, punctuation and spelling test to help you understand how to communicate particular types of questions.

Paper 2: spelling

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

Compensatory marks for spelling

Pupils who have been granted a compensatory mark for ‘Paper 2: spelling’ due to a hearing impairment are exempt from this paper and must not attempt it. They should be marked as ‘A’ (absent) on the test attendance register.

Raw scores from both English grammar, punctuation and spelling papers are needed to reach an overall scaled score. If the pupil takes the paper, you must send the test script for marking and their mark will stand. In these circumstances, we are unable to award a compensatory mark.

3.3 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.

3.4 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. This is to ensure that 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 KS2 test administration guidance, where appropriate.

4. Further information

4.1 General enquiries

For general enquiries about test administration at KS2, call the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 or email assessments@education.gov.uk.

4.2 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.