Primary assessments: future dates
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-13)

This page summarises future assessment dates in primary schools, to assist schools with their forward planning.

Following the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-final-report) and the associated government response (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-final-report-government-response), future assessment arrangements are under review in line with the relevant recommendations. Assessment arrangements for the academic year 2025 to 2026 will remain unchanged.

Assessment dates appear in chronological order. Schools must keep these periods free for administering the assessments. If there should be any changes as a result of the curriculum and assessment review (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/curriculum-and-assessment-review), we will update this page accordingly.

Academic year 2025 to 2026

Reception baseline assessment

Schools must complete the reception baseline assessment (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/reception-baseline) 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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-handbook) between April and June of the academic year in which children turn 5, which is usually the reception year.

Optional key stage 1 tests

The recommended administration period for the optional key stage 1 tests (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum-assessments-key-stage-1-tests) is during May 2026.

Key stage 2 tests

The statutory key stage 2 tests (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum-assessments-key-stage-2-tests) are timetabled from Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May 2026:

Multiplication tables check

Schools must administer the multiplication tables check (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/multiplication-tables-check) within the 2-week period from Monday 1 June 2026.

Phonics screening check

Schools must administer the phonics screening check (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/phonics-screening-check-administration) within the 1-week period from Monday 8 June 2026.

To add a full list of all important dates to your calendar, you can download the: - Key stage 1 assessments calendar 2025 to 2026 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d6c249c487360cc70c9e39/Key_stage_1_assessments_calendar_2025_to_2026.ics) (110 KB) - Key stage 2 assessments calendar 2025 to 2026 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d6c26149e17d00a56ffb20/Key_stage_2_assessments_calendar_2025_to_2026.ics) (482 KB)

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.

Optional key stage 1 tests

The recommended administration period for the optional key stage 1 tests is during May 2027.

Key stage 2 tests

The statutory key stage 2 tests are timetabled from Monday 10 May to Thursday 13 May 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 1-week period from Monday 14 June 2027.

Academic year 2027 to 2028

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.

Optional key stage 1 tests

The recommended administration period for the optional key stage 1 tests is during May 2028.

Key stage 2 tests

The statutory key stage 2 tests are timetabled from Monday 8 May to Thursday 11 May 2028.

Multiplication tables check

Schools must administer the multiplication tables check within the 2-week period from Monday 5 June 2028.

Phonics screening check

Schools must administer the phonics screening check within the 1-week period from Monday 12 June 2028.