NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL EDUCATION Director of Education: Bryan Slater

Norfolk Education Advisory Service Professional Development Centre Woodside Road Norwich, NR7 9QL Tel: 01603 433276 Fax: 01603 700236

Dear Headteacher

URGENT - Re: QCA Optional Tests (Years 3, 4 and 5) – Important Change of Information Regarding Payment of Test Papers and Teachers Guides

At the beginning of the autumn term 2002 all schools received a letter providing details of the statutory target setting arrangements and procedures for 2004. Details were enclosed with the management information sheet MI165/02 for Primary Phase Schools. This letter confirmed that the LEA would again support those schools wishing to use the QCA optional tests for Years 3, 4 and 5. Funding for the tests comes from grant money obtained through the Public Service Agreement and is linked to strategies for reaching attainment targets in 2003.

Since sending out this letter we have become aware of significant changes in circumstance. For example, there have been changes in the composition of the test papers and unexpected price rises for some of the tests this year. In addition some schools have been ordering a larger number of test papers than there are pupils in the related year group. This would mean that the budget available would be severely overspent if the LEA funded, in full the provision of all tests to all schools. As a result it is necessary to amend the way that the funding is allocated to ensure that the budget is kept in balance.

The fairest way to solve the problem is to allocate to each school by formula a maximum amount the LEA will provide to support the cost of purchasing the QCA optional tests. The formula for each year group in a school will be as follows:

Primary Phase:

¨ Year 3 – 1 teacher pack for English and Maths. For each pupil 1 reading stimulus paper and 1 reading answer booklet and 1 maths test.

¨ Year 4 – 1 teacher pack for English and Maths. For each pupil 1 reading stimulus paper and 1 reading answer booklet and 1 maths test.

¨ Year 5 – 1 teacher pack for English and Maths. For each pupil 1 reading stimulus paper and 1 reading answer booklet and 1 maths test.

The funding for the purchase of QCA optional test material for Key Stage 2 is provided from the Public Service Agreement on the understanding that schools provide the LEA with their results for analysis.

We apologise for having to amend the funding at this stage but we have no alternative as the original funding source is set and cannot be exceeded. If any school is unable to meet the additional cost of purchase of any materials then it can still purchase up to the amount we indicate and cancel any additional materials. I have discussed the situation with QCA and they are in agreement that any order can be amended before 29 November 2002 but not after that time (this time-scale needs to be met and so any changes must be with QCA before that date). As we need to keep within our funding figure each school must keep within the budget for the numbers on roll in each year group.

With this change in arrangements it will be more efficient and effective for each school to pay their own individual order with QCA. For those schools who have already sent in orders it will mean confirming with QCA that the invoice will be sent to the school. We have been in contact with QCA to confirm this change of

arrangement. If when you receive your invoice you send us a copy and the cohort number for each year group we will then credit your school account with the LEA funding as per the above formula (these documents should be for the attention of Robin Biss at the PDC).

Your RDA will be in contact with you immediately after half-term to confirm:

· the details in this letter

· whether you will be purchasing QCA materials

Once again please accept our apologies for the change of arrangements but they have had to be made to ensure that the funding limits for this project are not exceeded.

Yours sincerely

Fred Corbett

Assistant Director Advisory Services