Over the course of the year, the Suffolk Assessment and Moderation team run a number of training courses. The training may be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams or face to face in a venue.
Suffolk Assessment and Moderation Team training overview 2025-26
Please find details of current training courses below. To apply for a place on a course, please click on the link or follow the instructions in ‘How to apply.’
Once you have applied, we will confirm your place via email.
Summer 2026
Key Stage 2 SATs access arrangements – open forum
Suitable for: All headteachers and those involved with administration of the KS2 SATs
Delivery method: Online
Dates, times and venues:
Tuesday 14 April 2026 (3:30-5:00pm) (Microsoft Teams)
Meeting ID: 334 871 968 935 1 Passcode: sM9DA7Xb
Wednesday 15 April 2026 (10:00-11:30am) (Microsoft Teams)
Meeting ID: 332 684 270 701 Passcode: 4Hm7Dj7A
Course outline:
This session offers an open forum for school leaders seeking guidance on access arrangements for the upcoming Key Stage 2 SATs. Members of the Assessment Team will be available throughout the 90-minute session to address any questions or concerns. Attendance is flexible – feel free to join at any time during the session.
How to apply: You do not need to apply; just follow the Microsoft Teams link provided above at any time during the session.
Administration of the phonics screening check
Suitable for: Teachers who are new to the administration of the phonics screening check
Delivery method: Online
Dates, times and venues:
Monday 27 April 2026 (4:00-5:00pm) (Microsoft Teams)
Tuesday 28 April 2026 (1:30-2:30pm) (Microsoft Teams)
Course outline: This session will include information about which pupils should take the check, administration including scoring the check, and access arrangements.
How to apply: If you would like to attend one of the sessions, please email [email protected] indicating which session you would like to attend and you will be sent the virtual meeting link.
KS2 SATs administration – open forum
Suitable for: All headteachers and those involved with administration of the KS2 SATs
Delivery method: Online
Dates, times and venues:
Tuesday 5 May 2026 (1:00-2:30pm) (Microsoft Teams)
Meeting ID: 330 956 327 583 2 Passcode: Az3zP3Nv
Wednesday 6 May 2026 (3:30-5:00pm) (Microsoft Teams)
Meeting ID: 396 340 860 357 9 Passcode: 3y2uD7gj
Course outline: This session offers an open forum for school leaders seeking guidance on the administration of the upcoming Key Stage 2 SATs. Members of the Assessment Team will be available throughout the 90-minute session to address any questions or concerns. Attendance is flexible – feel free to join at any time during the session.
How to apply: You do not need to apply; just follow the Microsoft Teams link provided above at any time during the session.
Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) Assessment Support Hub meetings
Suitable for: Any practitioners involved in the assessment of the EYFS Profile
Delivery method: Face-to-face
Dates, times and venues:
Thursday 4 June 2026 (4-5pm) Worlingham CEVC Primary School, Garden Lane, Worlingham, NR34 7SB.
Tuesday 9 June 2026 (4-5pm) Great Waldingfield CEVC Primary School, Folly Road, Great Waldingfield, CO10 0RR.
Tuesday 9 June 2026 (4-5pm) Corton CEVA Primary School, The Street, Corton, NR32 5HW.
Tuesday 9 June 2026 (4-5pm) Hintlesham and Chattisham CE Primary School, George Street, Hintlesham, IP8 3NH.
Thursday 11 June 2026 (4-5pm) Gorseland Primary School, Deben Avenue, Martlesham Heath, IP5 3QR.
Course outline:
The EYFSP Assessment Support Hub sessions are designed to support EYFS practitioners in developing confidence, clarity and consistency in EYFSP assessment. Through face‑to‑face, local authority–facilitated sessions delivered via local school hubs, participants will engage in professional dialogue focused on effective assessment practice across the full breadth of the EYFS. These sessions are supportive and developmental and are not a return to moderation.
Sessions are led by experienced school‑based practitioners using jointly planned materials and are supported by the local authority Assessment Team and the Early Years and Childcare Team. Delivered on a termly basis, the programme provides opportunities for practitioners to reflect on their own assessment practice, explore common misconceptions and strengthen the reliability of their professional judgements through collaborative discussion with peers, supporting accurate and meaningful EYFSP assessment.
These sessions are fully funded for all Suffolk schools.
Apply for a place on a ‘EYFSP Assessment Support hub meetings’
KS1 area moderation
Suitable for: Any teachers using the KS1 teacher assessment framework to assess writing at the end of KS1
Delivery method: Face to face
Dates, times and venues:
Wednesday 17 June 2026 (9:30am-12 noon) Pinewood Community Hall, Ipswich, IP8 3SL.
Course outline:
This informal and supportive session is designed to support schools who are continuing to use the Standards and Testing Agency’s non-statutory KS1 teacher assessment framework for the purpose of assessment of writing at KS1.
It is an opportunity for inter-school moderation of KS1 writing within the local geographical area which will support the quality assurance of teacher assessment judgments and provide an opportunity for professional development.
The session will be supported by Kathryn Roper, Suffolk County Council Assessment Officer and a number of experienced KS1 moderators who will facilitate discussion in small groups and, along with other colleagues present, validate teachers’ judgements against the KS1 teacher assessment framework. Those attending will need to bring writing from at least six pupils from across the attainment spectrum and be prepared to discuss the work with the other colleagues attending.
Apply for a place on ‘KS1 area moderation’
KS2 area moderation
Suitable for: For any Y6 teachers not being moderated in 2026
Delivery method: Face to face
Dates, times and venues:
Wednesday 17 June 2026 (1:30-4:00pm) Pinewood Community Hall, Ipswich, IP8 3SL.
Course outline: Please note – this session is only for schools who have not been selected for statutory external moderation of KS2 writing in June 2026. This informal and supportive session is designed to support Year 6 teachers with their teacher assessments in writing using the KS2 teacher assessment framework.
It is an opportunity for inter-school moderation of KS2 writing within the local geographical area and will support the quality assurance of teacher assessment judgments and provide an opportunity for professional development.
Each session will be supported by Kathryn Roper, Suffolk County Council Assessment Officer and a number of experienced KS2 moderators who will facilitate discussion in small groups and, along with other colleagues present, validate teachers’ judgements against the KS2 teacher assessment framework. Those attending will need to bring writing from at least six pupils from across the attainment spectrum and be prepared to discuss the work with the other colleagues attending.
‘Apply for a place on KS2 area moderation’
Spring 2026
Writing assessment support at Year 6
Suitable for: Any Year 6 teachers
Delivery method: Face to face
Dates, times and venues:
Tuesday 27 January 2026 (1:30-4:00pm) Venue: Carlton Colville Primary School, Lowestoft, NR33 8DG.
Monday 2 February 2026 (1:30-4:00pm) Venue: Debenham Community Centre, Debenham, IP14 6BL.
Thursday 5 February 2026 (9:30am-12 noon) Venue: Moreton Hall Community Centre, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7EE. (Fully booked)
Course outline:
These sessions follow on from ‘New to Year 6’ and ‘Making your teacher assessment in Year 6’ sessions in the autumn term but are open to all year 6 teachers. Whilst there will be opportunity to clarify understanding around the teacher assessment framework, there will not be opportunity to cover this in the same detail as the courses in the autumn term.
These sessions are an opportunity for colleagues to discuss the writing their Year 6 pupils have done so far this year and to consider the next steps in writing for the pupils. They have been planned well ahead of the final assessment so that the focus can be on development for the pupils rather than the final outcomes.
Each session will be supported by Kathryn Roper, Suffolk County Council (SCC) Assessment Officer and a number of experienced Year 6 moderators who will support with identifying the gaps to achieving end of year six standards. The sessions will be informal and supportive and have been planned so that colleagues can work together to compare standards, further develop their understanding of the KS2 writing assessment framework and share ideas for curriculum planning in writing in Year 6.
Those attending will need to bring writing from at least six pupils (feel free to bring more if you have particular queries) and be prepared to discuss the work with the other colleagues attending.
These sessions are fully funded for Local Authority (LA) maintained schools through the Department for Education (DfE) moderation grant and for all academies who have a moderation and monitoring agreement in place with Suffolk LA. For all other schools (i.e. academies without a moderation and monitoring agreement with Suffolk or LA maintained schools outside of Suffolk) the charge is £30.
Apply for a place on ‘Writing assessment support at year 6’
Key Stage 2 SATs administration
Suitable for: Headteachers and senior leaders who are new to the administration of the Key Stage 2 SATs
Delivery method: Online (Microsoft Teams)
Dates and times:
Monday 23 March 2026 (4:00-5:00pm) (Microsoft Teams)
Tuesday 24 March 2026 (1:30-2:30pm) (Microsoft Teams)
Course outline:
This session will include information about access arrangements, test security and what to do if there are unforeseen circumstances during the tests. Teacher assessment and moderation will also be briefly discussed and there will be time for questions.
These sessions are fully funded for LA maintained schools through the DfE moderation grant and for all academies who have a moderation and monitoring agreement in place with Suffolk LA. For all other schools (i.e. academies without a moderation and monitoring agreement with Suffolk or LA maintained schools outside of Suffolk) the charge is £15.
How to apply: If you would like to attend one of the sessions, please email [email protected] indicating which session you would like to attend and you will be sent the virtual meeting link.
Being a KS2 SATs observer
Suitable for: Governors in primary and junior schools
Delivery method: Online
Date and time:
Monday 23 March 2026 (6:00-7:00pm) (Microsoft Teams)
Course outline:
The Standards and Testing Agency recommends that schools invite a governor or trusted member of the school community, who is not otherwise involved in the administration of the KS2 tests, to observe their administration.
This virtual session is designed to support governors in undertaking this role successfully. It will include information about test procedures, including what is and is not permitted during the tests; test storage and security before, during and after the tests and ensuring the test rooms and test administrators are prepared for the tests. There will also be time to ask any questions you might have.
These sessions are fully funded for LA maintained schools through the DfE moderation grant and for all academies who have a moderation and monitoring agreement in place with Suffolk LA. For all other schools (i.e. academies without a moderation and monitoring agreement with Suffolk or LA maintained schools outside of Suffolk) the charge is £15.
How to apply: If you would like to attend the session, please email [email protected] and you will be sent the virtual meeting link.
Autumn 2025
New to Year 6 assessment
Suitable for: Any teachers new, or returning, to Year 6
Delivery method: Face to face
Dates, times and venues:
Monday 17 November 2025 (9:30am-3:30pm). Venue: Pinewood Community Hall, Ipswich, IP8 3SL.
Tuesday 18 November 2025 (9:30am-3:30pm). Venue: Moreton Hall Community Centre, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7EE.
Thursday 20 November 2025 (9:30am-3:30pm). Venue: Carlton Colville Primary School, Lowestoft, NR33 8DG.
Course outline: These sessions are for teachers who are new to assessment at the end of Year 6. It is ideal for colleagues who are new to the profession, who have not taught Year 6 before or who are returning to Year 6. During the sessions we will look at the Standards & Testing Agency’s (STA’s) Teacher Assessment Framework in detail, with a particular focus on assessing writing.
There will be an opportunity to look at samples of pupil work and discuss how the work meets the different writing standards including the Pre-Key Stage Standards. We will also discuss aspects of the Key Stage 2 tests including access arrangements for your pupils. We will consider moderation and answer any questions you may have.
These sessions are fully funded for Local Authority (LA) maintained schools through the Department for Education (DfE) moderation grant and for all academies who have a moderation and monitoring agreement in place with Suffolk LA. For all other schools (i.e. academies without a moderation and monitoring agreement with Suffolk or LA maintained schools outside of Suffolk) the charge is £50. Please note – lunch is not provided.
Apply for a place on New to Year 6 assessment
Making your Teacher Assessment in Year 6
Suitable for: Any Year 6 teachers
Delivery method: Face to face
Dates, times and venues:
Monday 1 December 2025 (1pm-4pm). Venue: Pinewood Community Hall, Ipswich, IP8 3SL.
Tuesday 9 December 2025 (1pm-4pm). Venue: Moreton Hall Community Centre, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7EE.
Course outline: The sessions will focus on the assessment of writing at the end of Key Stage 2. During these sessions we will use the same training materials used for moderator training this year. We will look at the STA’s Teacher Assessment Framework and the Pre-Key Stage Standards in detail.
These sessions are fully funded for LA maintained schools through the DfE moderation grant and for all academies who have a moderation and monitoring agreement in place with Suffolk LA. For all other schools (i.e. academies without a moderation and monitoring agreement with Suffolk or LA maintained schools outside of Suffolk) the charge is £30.
Apply for a place on Making your Teacher Assessment in Year 6