🎒 School year, England
Year 2
The end of Key Stage 1 — and the 'Year 2 SATs' many parents remember no longer exist
By Sophie Hart · Founder & Editor
What to expect
Year 2 completes Key Stage 1, consolidating the phonics, early reading, writing and maths skills built up since Reception before the bigger step up to Key Stage 2 in Year 3.
Statutory checks and assessments
This is worth getting right, because it's commonly misunderstood: formal KS1 SATs became non-statutory from the 2023/24 school year onwards. Schools may still choose to run optional KS1 tests (English reading, English grammar/punctuation/spelling, and maths) using Department for Education materials, but there's no requirement to run them, no requirement to report results, and no national data collection from them. If your child didn't meet the phonics standard in Year 1, they retake the Phonics Screening Check this year.
Home life & homework
Homework, where schools set it, is usually still light at this stage — short reading, spelling or times-tables practice rather than substantial written work. Independence with reading (choosing books, reading silently for short stretches) often starts to develop this year.
Social & emotional
Most children have settled into the rhythm of school life by now, with more established friendship groups and a clearer sense of classroom expectations than in Year 1.
What to focus on
Since KS1 tests are optional and not nationally reported, there's no need to treat Year 2 as an exam year — if your school does run the optional tests, they're one input for the teacher, not a pass/fail moment for your child.
When to check in with the school
Ask the teacher directly if your school runs the optional KS1 tests and what, if anything, they'll share with you — practice varies school to school.
Year 2: common questions
What should I expect in Year 2?
The end of Key Stage 1 — and the 'Year 2 SATs' many parents remember no longer exist. Year 2 completes Key Stage 1, consolidating the phonics, early reading, writing and maths skills built up since Reception before the bigger step up to Key Stage 2 in Year 3. This covers England's state school system — every child and school is different.
Are there any tests in Year 2?
This is worth getting right, because it's commonly misunderstood: formal KS1 SATs became non-statutory from the 2023/24 school year onwards. Schools may still choose to run optional KS1 tests (English reading, English grammar/punctuation/spelling, and maths) using Department for Education materials, but there's no requirement to run them, no requirement to report results, and no national data collection from them. If your child didn't meet the phonics standard in Year 1, they retake the Phonics Screening Check this year.
What should I focus on at home during Year 2?
Since KS1 tests are optional and not nationally reported, there's no need to treat Year 2 as an exam year — if your school does run the optional tests, they're one input for the teacher, not a pass/fail moment for your child.
Sources & further reading
- School starting age — GOV.UK
- Primary assessments: future dates — GOV.UK / Standards and Testing Agency
This covers England's state school system only — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run different systems. This is general information, not advice for your specific child; your child's school and teacher are the best source for anything specific to them. Reviewed July 2026.