Explore our collection of baseline assessments designed to help teachers understand what pupils already know when they begin a new year or topic. Baseline assessments provide an early snapshot of knowledge and skills, helping teachers identify starting points and plan teaching that moves learning forward.
This category includes EYFS baseline assessments, maths baseline assessments and subject baseline assessment examples for different year groups. These resources support teachers in gathering meaningful information about pupils’ understanding at the beginning of a unit, term or academic year.
Baseline assessment tools are particularly useful in the Early Years and Key Stage 1, where careful observation and short activities can reveal what pupils already understand before new learning begins.
A baseline assessment is carried out at the beginning of a learning period to establish pupils’ starting points. Teachers use baseline assessments to identify prior knowledge, highlight gaps and plan lessons that build on what pupils already understand.
Baseline assessments are often used at the start of the academic year, when beginning a new topic or when pupils move into a new class. They help teachers gather useful information about learning without the need for lengthy formal tests.
Baseline assessment plays an important role in the Early Years Foundation Stage. An EYFS baseline assessment helps teachers understand children’s early development, including communication, language, early maths and social skills.
Our EYFS baseline assessment resources include simple observation tasks and suggested activities that help teachers identify children’s starting points when they enter Reception. These assessments provide useful insights that support planning and help teachers track progress throughout the year.
Many teachers use maths baseline assessments to understand pupils’ early number knowledge and problem-solving skills before starting a new unit. These assessments can highlight misconceptions and help teachers adapt lessons to meet pupils’ needs.
This collection also includes baseline assessment examples for different subjects and year groups, including early years and Year 1 baseline assessments. These tools support teachers in gathering clear information about pupils’ understanding and using it to guide effective teaching.
