In response to the 2011 Bew review of Key Stage 2 testing, assessment and accountability, the Government announced it will make moderated teacher assessment of writing at KS2 statutory in 2013, alongside the new, externally marked test of grammar punctuation and spelling.

In 2012, non-statutory interim arrangements for the assessment of KS2 writing were put in place. Pupils’ writing was assessed by teachers, informed by a test. Teachers’ judgements in a minimum of 15% of schools (per local authority) were subject to external moderation.

The moderation process was designed to be flexible and minimise the burden for schools and, as far as possible to reflect existing Key Stage 1 assessments. It was overseen by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) in the summer of 2012 and the DfE commissioned NatCen Social research, through the CAYT Research Centre1, to undertake an evaluation of the process.

This research report presents the findings from an evaluation of Key Stage 2 writing moderation. The evaluation looked to explore the impact of the 2012 KS2 writing moderation arrangements on a representative sample of local authority moderation managers, moderators and schools to explore if the new process is effective and minimises the burden on schools.

The report includes:

1. Introduction

2. Moderator recruitment and assignment

3. Information, guidance and training

4. The moderation process

5. Cost of the moderation process

6. Moderation outcomes, reports and appeals

7. Perceptions of impact on school practice

8. Suggested improvements

Full version (external link)