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Query over key stage 1 tests after Reception Baseline Assessment postponed

Primary school leaders are hoping that the removal of key stage 1 statutory assessments could still happen within the planned timescales despite delays to the national roll-out of Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA).


The Department for Education (DfE) confirmed in June that the introduction of RBA, which had been scheduled for this September, is to be pushed back to 2021.

A statement said: “Due to the challenging circumstances faced by schools in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, statutory introduction of the RBA has been postponed to autumn 2021.”

Instead, schools are being given the option of signing up to a “RBA Early Adopter year”, which the DfE presents as a chance for schools “to familiarise themselves with assessment materials before the RBA becomes statutory”.

State schools with a Reception cohort who want to sign up for this have until July 24. Once signed up, schools will receive assessment materials before the October half-term. The DfE added: “Participation is optional, even after signing up. Data gathered from the Early Adopter year will not be used for the purpose of the progress measure.”

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