Update from NAA (National Assessment Agency) on Administration of 2008 National Curriculum Tests

As you will know, there have been a number of changes to test delivery and administration for 2008.

Pupil registration and online attendance register

For 2008, paper marksheets will be replaced by online attendance registers which will be created automatically in the Test Orders website using the pupil registration data confirmed by schools.

Most maintained schools will by now have had their online pupil registration data populated from the DCSF school census and schools need to confirm that this list of pupils is correct.

Given the problems that the 31 March deadline is causing due to the Easter holidays, the NAA is allowing schools to continue registering pupils and assigning tiers and Shakespeare plays until 25 April 2008.

NAA will use the information provided by schools to create an online attendance register which will be available from 28 April 2008. If any changes to pupil registration are required (eg if schools need to include additional pupils or change tiers), these changes can be made after 28 April using the online attendance register. All changes to the attendance register must be completed by 16 May 2008 for key stage 3 schools and 23 May 2008 for key stage 2 schools.

Guide to handling tests papers and scripts

The Guide to Handling Test Papers and Scripts provides guidance to schools on how to receive test materials and stationery items, as well as information on returning scripts for external marking. Schools must follow the instructions set out in this guide when packing the completed test scripts ready for collection by the courier.

The Guide to Handling Test Papers and Scripts will be delivered to schools as part of their stationery items delivery between 31 March and 25 April, and is available for download on the NAA Website.


Test materials delivery dates

Due to the wide variance in school Easter holidays in 2008, test materials will be delivered to schools in one of the delivery windows listed below:

key stage 3 delivery 1 - 31 March to 4 April 2008

key stage 3 delivery 2 - 14 April to 18 April 2008

key stage 2 delivery - 21 April to 2 May 2008

Modified test materials will be delivered to schools separately but according to the same schedule.


Test script collections

The following test script collection dates have been organised for key stage 2 and key stage 3 schools:

	key stage 3 first collection - 8 or 9 May 2008
	key stage 3 second collection - 12 or 13 May 2008
	key stage 2 first collection - 15 or 16 May 2008
	key stage 2 second collection - 19 or 20 May 2008

If you become aware that key stage 3 scripts have not been collected by 13 May 2008, or key stage 2 scripts have not been collected by 20 May 2008, contact the test operations agency helpdesk on 0870 1614530.

Test scripts and results are due to be returned to schools by 8 July 2008.

Online 'Headteacher's declaration form'

For the 2008 national curriculum tests, the paper version of the 'Headteachers' declaration form' will be replaced by an electronic form which must be completed online in the 'Test Orders' section of the NAA Website.

The key stage 3 deadline for completing and submitting the 'Headteachers' declaration form' is 16 May 2008.

The key stage 2 deadline for completing and submitting the 'Headteachers' declaration form' is 23 May 2008.

The Guide to Handling Test Papers and Scripts, as mentioned above, contains further information about completing the online 'Headteachers' declaration form'.

For enquiries about national curriculum tests and assessment please contact:

National Curriculum Tests Helpline

Tel: 08700 60 60 40

Email

Test Operations Agency

Tel: 0870 1614530

Email

Delivery of Test Materials

Tel: 0800 1694195