Article: Schools assessment and performance Article Body So that we can fairly assess the progress and attainment standards of pupils, the Department for Education (DfE) instructs schools to conduct statutory assessments and tests at various points during their education. This framework allows progress and standards to be compared nationally across all geographies. Early years (pre-school) Foundation Stage Profile Conducted by assessment at the end of the reception year 13 different learning areas are assessed Primary age Key Stage 1 (5-7 years of age) Year 1 reading assessment From July 2012 pupils' development of phonics skills will be assessed at the end of Year 1 (age 6) . Assessments of attainment are conducted when pupils are aged seven, at the end of Year 2. Core subjects assessed are reading, writing and mathematics. Assessments are based on teacher assessments of work in class. Key Stage 2 Testing of attainment is conducted when pupils are aged 11, at the end of Year 6. Core subjects tested are English (broken into reading and writing) and mathematics. Secondary age Key Stage 4 Measured by level 2 qualifications issued by accredited national exam bodies Includes GCSEs, GNVQ and Btech qualifications Key Stage 5 Measured by level 3 qualifications issued by accredited national exam bodies Includes A and AS level, NVQ and Btech qualifications Where to find schools' results The nationally reported results of individual schools are available to members of the public via the DfE School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables website. Individual schools have a duty to report pupil results and progress to parents and guardians. The local authority will not divulge these results under any circumstance. School Ofsted Inspection Reports, which will include an account of attainment standards achieved at a particular school, are available from the Ofsted website. Related links DfE 'First Release Statistics' (recently published information on attainment, often containing local authority comparison information Department for Education (DfE) Ofsted Qualifications and Curriculum Authority How to contact us School Improvement Officer for Assessment Directorate for Children, Young People and Families Postal address: PO Box 634, Barnsley, S70 9GG Telephone: 01226 775933 Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5.00pm and from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays Email: admin-principaladvisoryteam@barnsley.gov.uk Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Telephone: 020 7509 5556 (general enquiries number)