Start of Year Spelling Assessment Guidance

The Start of Year (SOY) Spelling Assessment is a resource created by KS2Gems for Year 4 students to evaluate their spelling skills at the beginning of the academic year. The guidance provided outlines the process for administering and marking three different versions of the test, A, B, and C, each tailored to assess a range of spelling domains. These domains include selections from the KS1 Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling test framework, statutory word lists, and KS2 spelling domains for Year 3. Teachers are advised to conduct the chosen test within the first few weeks of the Autumn term, prior to starting the Year 4 Spelling Programme. The results from the test can help identify any gaps in knowledge and inform any necessary revision of Year 3 content.

When administering the test, teachers are instructed to ensure that students understand the process, which includes writing their name on the answer booklet and working independently. The test is expected to take approximately 15 minutes, with a set of clear instructions provided for how the test should be conducted and how each spelling should be read out. In terms of marking, each correct spelling is awarded one mark, while incorrect spellings receive no marks. Detailed guidance is given on how to handle various scenarios, such as multiple attempts, the use of capital letters, and the presence of apostrophes or hyphens. The guidance stresses the importance of marking answers based on the clarity of the student's intention and the correct sequence of letters.