As you know the national curriculum tests will commence next week on Tuesday 6 May for key stage 3 schools. Some schools have requested clarification on how to pack scripts for collection and we have provided this below. Additionally, you are now able to upload your teacher assessments and P scales data on the Test orders website.

In this issue:

• Clarification on packing and returning scripts
• Submitting teacher assessments and P scales data
• Letter to headteachers explaining the changes for the 2008 national curriculum tests

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 Paper 2

Ensuring sufficient quantities of stationery items

Each school has been issued with sufficient stationery items. To ensure you do not run out of stationery items, please 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, sort all papers alphabetically by pupil surname and pack into the white script return envelopes. Ensure you fill each envelope to full capacity.

If you have packed all of one test paper (eg mathematics paper 1) and the final envelope is not full, do not seal this envelope. Fill the space remaining in that envelope with the second paper for that subject for that key stage (eg mathematics paper 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 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 envelopes of any combination of subjects (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 the return shipping label (ie 8 May 2008) is not your scheduled date for collection, but relates to the delivery company's administration.

Your school's collection date is 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.

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Submitting teacher assessments and P scales data

You are now able to upload your teacher assessments (TAs) and P scales data on the 'Test orders' section of the NAA website. Schools must submit their TAs and P scales data by 11 July 2008.

Some LAs may collect the TAs and P scales data on behalf of their schools. In this instance, the LA will contact your school directly to discuss local arrangements and may set earlier local deadlines. If your LA does not contact your school to arrange collection, it is your responsibility to submit all TAs and P scales data by 11 July 2008.

To submit your TAs and P scales data, log on to the Test orders website at naa.org.uk/tests and click on 'Teacher assessment upload' from the left hand menu. Follow the guidance provided in the Teacher assessment factsheet in the 'Help' section in the left hand menu of the Test orders website.

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

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Letter to headteachers explaining the changes to the 2008 national curriculum tests

NAA has written to your headteacher 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.

Completing online attendance registers and the 'Headteacher's declaration form'

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