This document provides guidance to schools on the assessment and reporting arrangements for pupils working below the standard of the national curriculum assessments at key stages 1 and 2, in the 2020/21 academic year.

Pupils working below the standard of the national curriculum assessments at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 have been assessed using Performance scales (P scales) since 1998. Following the government response to the Rochford Review consultation, the government announced plans to remove the use of P scales.

Schools are now required to use the pre-key stage standards frameworks for statutory assessment at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 for pupils working below the standard of the national curriculum assessments and engaged in subject-specific study, or who have not completed the relevant national curriculum programme of study.