How is the coronation impacting KS2 test plans?

The dates of the 2023 Key Stage 2 test schedule are changing due to an additional bank holiday in honour of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on Monday 8 May, 2023

The coronation means that the dates of the 2023 Key Stage 2 test schedule have been changed to one day later than planned; the tests will take place in their usual order on the dates as follows:

• Tuesday 9 May: English grammar, punctuation and spelling papers one (questions) and two (spelling).
• Thursday 11 May: mathematics papers one (arithmetic) and two (reasoning). 
• Friday 12 May: mathematics paper three (reasoning).

There will be no changes to other assessments – for example, KS2 teacher assessments, KS1 assessments the phonics screening test and the multiplication tables check.

Assessment and reporting arrangements 

Key Stage 2 assessment and reporting arrangements will be updated to reflect the changes to the test schedule, including any changes to other aspects of test administration, for example, the collection of test papers. 

Schools will be updated via Assessment Updates when the reviewed documentation is available.  

Exceptions

The government is aware that schools may have booked events or activities for their year six pupils on Friday 12 May. Where possible, schools should look to rearrange or delay the start of these events or activities to accommodate mathematics paper three. 

Where is it not possible to change plans, the government will allow an exception for 2023 only and approve applications for Timetable Variations (TTVs) arising from booked residentials, trips of similar events scheduled for Friday 12 May only. 

Schools will need to reschedule the date of the test (mathematics paper three) for the affected pupils to one of the following five school days after the test.

TTVs for any such events that are scheduled on other test days will not be approved, in line with existing rules. Other TTV rules will continue to apply as normal for Friday 12 May, including in relation to pupil absence or attendance at alternative provision.