Additional Time

Q6 has changed:

2023 Q6 stated – Can the pupil read age-appropriate texts aloud and fluently, at a speed of 90 words per minute, without making errors, or with very few errors (this means less than 5 errors per 20 words)?

2024 Q6 is now – Can the pupil read age-appropriate texts aloud and fluently without making errors, or with very few errors?

STA clarification: 

Each year the Standards and Testing Agency thoroughly review our guidance documents before updating them on GOV.UK. Following our review of the KS2 access arrangements guidance this year, the decision was made to remove the reference to ‘90 words per minute’ and ‘less than 5 errors per 20 words’. This is because a judgement about reading fluency is complex, and not just limited to reading speed alone. It was felt that removing this would enable the consideration of other factors. For example, some teachers may have undertaken reading age tests of their pupils and choose to use those as a guide, some readers may cope better with texts that use technical language, some pupils may be better at accessing texts requiring greater inferential reading skills, and so on.

If schools wish to continue to use the previous benchmark of ‘90 words per minute’ and ‘less than 5 errors per 20 words’, they can do so, as well as being able to consider other factors. Reading fluency is an overall judgement to be made by the teacher and the pupil’s teacher is best placed to make this decision.