From 2016 all schools that wish to show progress for accountability purposes will need to adopt an approved baseline assessment scheme. In order for the DeF (Department for Eductaion) to track the progress of pupils form an early age, the government introduced baseline assessments. This is where an assessment is carried out on each child at the earliest school age, so usually within a few weeks of them starting reception. At the end of Key Stage 1 another assessment will be carried out to check their learning progress. A test (SATS) is done to help the teacher identify which level the student is currently at. The levels as they were are now being changed and no longer are set in to 2,3,4 etc the levels this year are more likely to be based on if they meet the standard expected for a child of that age, excel it or are below it. It is also much harder for a child to reach the expected level they need to be at this year than previous.
At the end of Key Stage 2 (year 6) the children will undergo another test and this will then be sent away to be marked. This again will form part of their overall assessment for the level they are at academically.