Issue 4 - Packing scripts, teacher assessments, changes to national curriculum tests
In this issue:
- Clarification on packing and returning scripts
- Submitting teacher assessments and P scales
- Letter to headteachers explaining the changes to the 2008 national curriculum assessments
Clarification on packing and returning scripts
Defining test papers, scripts and answer booklets
In the Guide to handling test papers and scripts, the term 'scripts' refers to all test papers/answer booklets for each pupil per subject per key stage. Each 'script' consists of a number of test papers/answer booklets as shown in the table below.
| Subject | Number of test papers in ONE script | Test papers/answer booklets included |
| KEY STAGE 3 | ||
| English reading | Two | Reading paper Shakespeare paper |
| English writing | Two | Writing paper (shorter task) Writing paper (longer task) |
| Mathematics | Three | Paper 1 Paper 2 Mental mathematics |
| Science | Two |
Paper 1 |
| KEY STAGE 2 | ||
| English | Three |
Writing test (shorter task) & spelling test |
| Mathematics | Three |
Test A |
| Science | Two |
Test A |
Ensuring sufficient quantities of stationery items
Each school has been issued with sufficient stationery items. To ensure schools do not run out of stationery items, they must fill each white script return envelope and brown shipping bag to full capacity.
Packing test papers/answer booklets into white script return envelopes
At the end of each test, schools should sort all papers alphabetically by pupil surname and pack into the white script return envelopes. They must ensure that each envelope is filled to capacity.
If schools pack all of one test paper (eg science test A key stage 2) and the final envelope is not full, they should not seal this envelope. They should fill the space remaining in that envelope with the second paper for that subject for that key stage (eg science test B key stage 2).
It is important that the test subjects are not mixed in any of the white script return envelopes (eg English and mathematics must not be packed in the same envelope).
The key stage 3 English reading and English writing scripts will be sent to separate markers and therefore must not be mixed in the same white script return envelope.
Each brown shipping bag may contain white script return envelopes of any combination of subjects and key stage (eg a shipping bag may contain one envelope of key stage 3 English reading papers and one envelope of key stage 3 science papers).
Preparing for test script collections
All test scripts must be stored securely until the scheduled date for collection. For guidance please refer to the Keeping test materials secure factsheet in the 'Downloads and links' section of the NAA website at naa.org.uk/tests.
Please note that the date printed on schools' return shipping labels (ie 8 May 2008) is not the scheduled date for collection, but relates to the delivery company's administration.
Schools' collection dates are available on the 'Test orders' section of the NAA website at naa.org.uk/tests. To view this information select 'Order and manage tests' from the top menu then click on 'Create and view test orders'.
If you have any questions or would like further information please contact the test operations agency helpdesk on 0870 1614530 or email schools@testoperations.org.uk.
Submitting teacher assessment and P scales
Schools are now able to submit teacher assessments (TAs) and P scales data on the 'Test orders' section of the NAA website. TAs and P scales data must be submitted by 11 July 2008.
Some LAs may collect the TAs and P scales data on behalf of their schools. In this instance, you should contact your schools directly to discuss local arrangements and set earlier local deadlines if required.
Guidance on how to submit TAs and P scales data is provided in the Teacher assessment factsheet in the 'Help' section in the left hand menu of the Test orders website at naa.org.uk/tests.
If you will not be collecting the data on your schools' behalf, please be aware of the process and guidance, and ensure your schools meets the deadline of 11 July 2008.
If schools have any questions or would like further information please direct them to the test operations agency helpdesk on 0870 1614530 or email schools@testoperations.org.uk.
Letter to headteachers explaining the changes to the 2008 national curriculum tests
NAA has written to key stage 2 and 3 headteachers today explaining the changes to the 2008 national curriculum tests. Included with the letter to headteachers is a factsheet for test administrators on Completing online attendance registers and the 'Headteacher's declaration form'. The NAA has produced this factsheet as a reminder to all administrators that national curriculum tests paper marksheets have been replaced by online attendance registers for 2008.
The 'Headteacher's declaration form' must also be completed online this year. The letter to headteachers and the factsheet are both available on the NAA website by accessing the links below.
Marking process changes for the 2008 national curriculum tests (PDF 56.98KB)
Completing online attendance registers and the 'Headteacher's declaration form' (PDF 61.30KB)
As always, NAA's School Support team is available to assist with LA colleagues' queries on all aspects of national curriculum test administration. Please contact the national curriculum tests helpline on 08700 60 60 40 or email naalink@naa.org.uk.
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