Information for parents and carers

 Teachers in all schools have the same information on the reading and numeracy skills of their pupils  Picture of national achievement in these subjects  Tests can show where individual children might need to improve their skills  Schools can compare achievement in reading and numeracy with what is happening nationally

 Reading test  Numeracy procedural test  Numeracy reasoning test For children in Year 2 –Year 9

 The test is made up of short questions based on one or two texts.  Different types of questions that:  a) Check how well the text has been understood  b) aim to find out if children are able to make judgements about what they are reading  Each test takes up to an hour but younger children take a break part –way through

 Procedural test measures skills in number, measuring and data skills.  Reasoning test measures how well children can use what they know to solve everyday problems.  Each of the numeracy tests take up to half and hour, younger children can take a break during the tests.

 The 2015 statutory tests will take place :  Secondary schools – 29 th April and 12 th May  Primary schools – 5 th May and 12 th May  It is up to the school to timetable the tests between the dates and they will let you know

 Most children should be able to take the tests.  Some children may need particular access arrangements e.g large print or Braille version.  A small number of children may not be able to take the tests, the Headteacher will carefully consider whether to enter some children for one or more of the tests.

 The results can be used to identify what the child can do and areas where more help may be needed.  Any test can only look at a limited range of skills and abilities –it does not provide information on speaking, listening or writing skills.  Each test is designed to measure achievement across the range expected for each year group but remember that children do not all make progress at the same rate.

 By the end of the summer term, your child’s school will give you test results for each test your child has taken.  The standardised score from the tests will tell you how well your child has done compared to other children of the same age taking the test at the same time.  The average standardised score is set to 100  A standardised score lower than 85 might suggest some difficulty with the tests.

 If your child’s reading and numeracy skills are developing more slowly than would be expected the score may be ‘less than 70’.  Your child’s teacher will use other methods to assess how their skills are developing e.g trying the questions from a test from the year group below.

 Make sure that they are not worried or anxious.  The school will be practising different types of questions in reading and numeracy with your child to ensure that they will be familiar with the test.  The school will send additional information to parents and carers to support your child at home.