Nursery World - Reception Baseline on hold until September 2021

The Reception Baseline has been postponed for a year to autumn 2021 due to the ‘challenging circumstances’ schools face with the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has announced, in a move welcomed by campaigners.

More Than A Score campaigners have called for the Reception Baseline to be axed

The controversial Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) was due to become statutory in September with children expected to take it within the first few weeks of starting school.

Campaigners against the test for four-year-olds have said it is not a reliable assessment and Reception teachers involved in the pilot of the test said it makes some children anxious because they 'fear getting it wrong'.

In updated guidance, the Standards and Testing Agency said schools will have the option to sign up to the RBA Early Adopter year to familiarise themselves with assessment materials before the RBA becomes statutory.

Schools who choose to participate will receive assessment materials shortly before the October 2020 half term, with the optional assessment window opening for six-weeks after the October half term.

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