MODERATION

Local authorities (LA) are required to externally moderate at least 25% of maintained schools, academies and participating independent schools that opt into LA's external moderation provisions every 4 years.

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More frequent additional visits can be undertaken for a number of reasons. The list below is taken from Section 15.1 of the Key Stage 2 teacher assessment guidance 2026. 

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• Teachers being new to Year 6 teaching, such as newly qualified teachers or experienced teachers who are new to Year 6 teaching

• A new senior leadership team, such as a new head teacher

• Schools with a Year 6 cohort for the first time

• Concerns from previous Local Authority visits

• Concerns from previously submitted data or test outcome comparisons

• Newly converted academies.

• Ofsted concern.
   

LAs will inform schools on 15 May if they are going to receive an external moderation visit. Schools will be informed by email. LAs will carry out moderation visits from 1 June to 26 June 2026.

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The best way for a school to prepare for an external moderation visit is to have robust internal assessment processes. These should be based on teachers’ understanding of the TA frameworks and in collaboration with other schools, where possible. Barnet primary schools could choose to make use of their partnerships to carry out moderation. If you require support with moderation please contact the LNI working with your school for advice.