Bryan Slater Director of Education	Distribution
	Headteachers of all Norfolk LEA Schools carrying out Key Stage 2 and 3 Tests, and Year 7 Progress Tests

This document needs your action as detailed below:

ACTION	Title	Test Security and Administration Monitoring Visits by LEA Representatives 2004 (Key Stages 2 and 3, and Year 7 Progress Tests).
	Summary of contents	Letter advising schools of the scope and nature of LEA monitoring visits for Key Stage 2 and 3 tests, and Year 7 Progress Tests security in 2004.
	Associated documents	2004 Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements Booklet.
	Date	29 March 2004
	Summary of action required	Ensure test security arrangements detailed in Assessment and Reporting Arrangements Booklet are followed.
	To be completed by	End of test period.
	LEA Contact	Chris Hemmings	(	01603 433276
	E-mail address	chris.hemmings@norfolk.gov.uk
	Norfolk Self Review reference	7. How well is the school led and managed?
	Document reference	MI 77/04

To Headteachers of all Norfolk LEA Schools carrying out Key Stage 2 and 3 Tests and Year 7 Progress Tests

Dear Headteacher

Test Security and Administration Monitoring Visits by LEA Representatives 2004

(Key Stages 2 and 3, and Year 7 Progress Tests)

You will be aware that in past years the LEA has carried out unannounced visits to a sample of schools before and during the test week to check security arrangements are being followed. This was to allay some public concern regarding some schools’ administration of the National Curriculum tests at Key Stages 2 and 3.

In 2004 it is again statutory for LEAs to carry out these visits. Thus, in Norfolk, in accordance with QCA guidance, members of the Advisory Service will visit a sample of schools in the week before the Key Stage 2 and 3 tests are due to be administered, as well as during actual test sessions. This is to enable a check to be made on the security of test packages and allow the administration of the tests to be observed. This will include Year 7 Progress Tests where relevant. As in 2003, about 10% of Norfolk schools with Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 pupils will be visited (i.e. approximately 6 high schools and 27 schools in the primary phase). The purpose of these visits will be to check that the packages are unopened and stored securely. A visit before the test week will last approximately half an hour. Most visits will be made during the relevant key stage test week. These will take longer and will include checking security as well as observing a test being administered.

The advisers carrying out the monitoring visits will complete a record of the visit using the QCA monitoring form. In all cases, it is expected the forms will indicate that the adviser was confident in the security arrangements in schools. This form will be shown to the headteacher who may wish to photocopy it. If any concerns are identified, these will be discussed with the headteacher at the end of the visit, so that appropriate alterations to the test procedures for any remaining tests can be made.

QCA, with the help of the LEA if appropriate, will investigate any cases of irregularity reported on the monitoring forms. It will be QCA’s responsibility to take any action affecting pupils’ test levels. Malpractice is viewed very seriously. In any case where malpractice is proven, test results will be withheld from the school who may not report them to parents or the DfES.

Please ensure that you are familiar with the information from QCA about test security. This is to be found on pages 32-33 of the Key Stage 2 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements booklet and pages 31(7.4), 36-41 and 77 of the Key Stage 3 booklet. For your information I include a copy of the form that will be completed at the monitoring visits.

I hope you will agree that in the interests of public confidence, it is important that these visits are carried out. The advisers have reported that headteachers always accept the visits in a very professional manner. I know that it is highly unlikely that any incidence of irregularity will be found in any Norfolk schools.

Yours sincerely,

Bryan Slater

Director of Education