Start of Year Spelling Assessment Guidance

The KS2Gems 2022 Start of Year Spelling Assessment Guidance is a comprehensive resource designed for Year 6 teachers to evaluate their pupils' spelling abilities at the beginning of the academic year. The guidance includes detailed instructions for administering three distinct spelling tests—Test A, Test B, and Test C—each tailored to assess various domains such as statutory word lists from Years 5/6 and 3/4, as well as Year 5 spelling domains as per the Spelling Programme. The tests are intended to be conducted within the first few weeks of the Autumn term, ahead of the Y6 Spelling Programme, to identify any significant areas of weakness stemming from Year 5. Teachers are advised to select one test that best suits their class's needs, with the option to use the remaining tests for reassessment after targeted teaching interventions.

Administering the test involves a clear briefing for the pupils, including instructions on how to mark and change answers, the requirement to work independently, and the process of answering spelling questions within a 15-minute timeframe. Marking the test follows specific guidelines where each correct spelling is awarded one mark, with no marks for incorrect spellings. The guidance outlines considerations for marking, such as how to handle multiple attempts, the use of upper or lower case letters, the inclusion of apostrophes or hyphens, and the treatment of ambiguous or crossed-out answers. The teacher versions of the tests provide a sequence of words and sentences for the teacher to read aloud, ensuring a standardised approach to the assessment across different classes.