What does KS2 TAF stand for?

KS2 TAF means the Key Stage 2 Teacher Assessment Framework — the statutory statements teachers use to judge Year 6 writing at the end of primary school.

Is there a KS2 writing SAT?

No. Reading, maths and grammar/punctuation/spelling are tested externally. Writing is teacher-assessed using the KS2 TAF only.

How is the KS2 TAF different from the Year 6 Writing TAF page?

This page is the overview for the "ks2 taf" search intent. The Year 6 Writing TAF guide goes statement-by-statement through WTS, EXS and GDS with moderation workflow detail.

Can AI help with KS2 writing moderation?

Yes. ReMarkAble AI can give formative feedback on pupil writing against primary frameworks so teachers spend less time on first-pass marking and more time on moderation judgement. Final statutory judgements remain the teacher's responsibility.

KS2 Writing

KS2 TAF: Writing Teacher Assessment

The KS2 TAF is the statutory Teacher Assessment Framework for end-of-Key-Stage-2 writing. This overview explains the three standards, what counts as independent evidence, and where to go next for the full Year 6 criteria.

What This Question Asks

The KS2 TAF (Teacher Assessment Framework) is how Year 6 writing is judged at the end of Key Stage 2. Unlike reading, maths and GPS, writing is not sat as an externally marked test — teachers collect a portfolio of independent writing and award Working Towards the Expected Standard (WTS), Working at the Expected Standard (EXS), or Working at Greater Depth within the Expected Standard (GDS). A pupil must demonstrate every statement in a standard to be awarded it. Evidence should come from independent work across a range of purposes and audiences. Use this page as the KS2 TAF overview, then open the detailed Year 6 Writing TAF guide for statement-by-statement criteria and moderation steps.

Mark Scheme Breakdown

Working Towards the Expected Standard (WTS)WTS

Writes for a range of purposes with some features of the intended form
Organises ideas in paragraphs
Uses basic punctuation mostly correctly
Extends sentences with co-ordinating and subordinating conjunctions
Spells most Year 3/4 list words correctly and produces legible joined handwriting

Working at the Expected Standard (EXS)EXS

Writes effectively for a range of purposes and audiences
Uses cohesive devices, consistent verb tenses and KS2 punctuation mostly correctly
Spells most Year 5/6 list words correctly
Maintains joined, legible, fluent handwriting

Working at Greater Depth (GDS)GDS

Selects form and models independently from reading
Controls levels of formality and register deliberately
Uses a wide range of clause structures and advanced punctuation (including colons and semicolons) correctly

How to Structure Your Answer

Start with the KS2 TAF standards, not a generic mark scheme

Assess against the published "pupil can" statements. Do not invent a percentage score or grade for statutory writing assessment — the KS2 TAF judgement is WTS, EXS or GDS based on secure evidence across the collection.

Collect independent writing across genres

Aim for 6–8 pieces covering narrative and non-narrative purposes. Cross-curricular writing strengthens independence evidence for moderation.

Map each statement to multiple pieces

A single strong story is not enough. Moderators look for consistency of the skill across the portfolio.

Use the detailed Year 6 Writing TAF guide for criteria depth

This overview covers the KS2 TAF shape. The companion Year 6 Writing TAF page lists every statement, common pitfalls and moderation-ready folder advice.

Open /guides/ks2-writing-assessment-framework for the full statement list and FAQ.