What is the 'Expected Standard' (EXS) at the end of each Key Stage?

At the end of each Key Stage, children’s progress in English is assessed against national standards set by the Department for Education.

The ‘Expected Standard’ (EXS) is the level that most pupils are expected to achieve by the end of their Key Stage. A pupil working at this standard has shown a secure understanding of the key reading and writing skills for their age.

At our school, we aim for all pupils to make good progress and to develop a love of reading and writing that prepares them for the next stage of their learning.

You can view examples of pupils’ work that meet the Expected Standard in the official government materials below. These show what typical reading and writing at the expected level look like in practice.

Click here to find out more about the expectations at the end of KS1 (Year 2).

Click here to find out more about the expectations at the end of KS2 (Year 6).