Assessment for Learning
Assessment is something that all staff use all the time to help ensure the learning in our classes for all the children is planned to help them each move forward.
We assess as we go – this is called Formative Assessment.
We also assess at the end of a block of teaching. This is called Summative Assessment and this is what is reported to parents at Parent Teacher meetings or in Reports. This data is also used to report children’s attainment to the Local Governing Body and Excalibur Academies Trust.
In September 2014, the National Curriculum changed and assessment reporting changed too. Children are assessed against whether they are working at an EXPECTED standard, EXCEEDING or EXCELLING in it, or if they are EMERGING or DEVELOPING their skills.
SATs (Standard Assessment Tests)
SATs for Y6 take place in May. These tests in English and maths will reflect the national curriculum, and are intended to be rigorous. Click here for more information from the Government.
At the end of Year 6, children will sit tests in:
- Reading
- Maths (papers in arithmetic and reasoning)
- Spelling, punctuation and grammar
These tests are set and marked externally; the results will be used to calculate your child’s progress and the school’s performance. Your child’s marks will be used in conjunction with teacher assessment to give a broader picture of their attainment.
Writing is teacher assessed and regularly moderated by the Local Authority.
The reading test is a single paper with questions based on one 800-word text and two passages of 300 words. Your child will have one hour, including reading time, to complete the test.
The grammar, punctuation and spelling test consists of two parts: a grammar and punctuation paper requiring short answers, lasting 45 minutes, and an aural spelling test of 20 words, lasting around 15 minutes.
There are three papers in maths:
- Paper 1: arithmetic, 30 minutes (written)
- Papers 2 and 3: mathematical fluency, solving problems and reasoning, 40 minutes per paper
Key Stage 2 science is teacher assessed
Our detailed school performance can be seen on the government’s ‘Find and compare schools in England’ website which can be found here.
There are also SATs at the end of Key Stage 1 for children in Y2 when they are tested in maths and English. These tests are informal, not strictly timed and taken in the normal classroom situation, often without the children being aware they are being assessed.
Click here for more information for parents from the government.
Year One Phonics Test
In Year One, the children are given national phonic tests. These assess the children’s ability to read different sounds, the building blocks of reading.
EYFS Assessments
At the end of Reception children are assessed through teacher assessment. A Good Level of Development (GLD) is defined as children working at or exceeding the expected standard in the key areas of literacy, maths, physical development, communication and language and personal, social and emotional development.