Standardised assessment in primary schools will continue to focus on English and Maths at Key Stages 1 and 2. The current arrangements — the Phonics Screening Check, optional Key Stage 1 tests, Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check, and Key Stage 2 SATs in Reading and Maths — will remain in place.

The Year 6 Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) test is expected to be refined to place greater emphasis on assessing pupils’ ability to apply grammar and punctuation accurately in context.

While there are no new statutory assessments planned for the foundation subjects, the government response highlights the importance of schools identifying and addressing gaps in knowledge and understanding across the wider curriculum. This aligns with the new Ofsted inspection framework and subject toolkits, which emphasise the use of formative assessment within subjects to monitor progression and ensure curriculum coherence.