We use assessment as part of our everyday practice. We recognise that it is essential to good learning and teaching to be able to identify what children can do and what they need to do next.
We use the Foundation stage profile to assess children in Reception and to plan their next steps in learning. Evidence about children’s progress is collected in their learning journals. At the end of Reception, parents are informed of where their child is in the prime areas of learning and this information is used to set targets for the children for the end of year 2.
Key Stage 1
Children are assessed everyday informally in the way they are performing. This information is used to plan for each group so that all children are able to make good progress in all areas but especially in the core areas of reading, writing and numeracy. Regular parents evenings involving the children give parents a chance to know how well their child is progressing towards their end of year targets.
Accurate assessment helps teachers to identify if children need support in specific areas and plan some additional work which might be in small groups, one to one support or just some additional help they may need at home. In year 2 children are assessed formally using teacher assessment and that information is submitted to the Local Authority.
Key Stage 2
As children move through KS2, teachers continue to use assessment to plan specific interventions to ensure that the children are targeted so that they make good progress.
Three times a year children are assessed formally to check the progress they are making. This information is used to ensure that work is pitched at the right level.
As with all primary schools, we have a statutory obligation to report formally on levels of attainment for all primary school pupils at the end of KS2.
Children in Year 6 sit their KS2 tests in May each year, as every year 6 child does across the country. Tests are done in reading, maths and spelling, punctuation and grammar. Writing is also assessed. Children receive a level in each area and this is shared with parents and sent to the child’s new school so that their secondary school know what their levels of attainment are and that they can set them appropriately. Most children should be working at level 4 by the end of year 6, with more able children working at level 5.
The school results are published on the school’s website, but also in the national press.