Assessment
Effective assessment provides information to improve teaching and learning. Teachers, children and parents can work together to raise standards because there are thorough, open assessment procedures in place.
On-going teacher assessment is the most effective way of knowing how a child is progressing. From Year 2, we also assess through end-of-year tests, which help to confirm the teacher assessments. This includes the Year 6 ‘SATs’.
All subjects are assessed by teacher assessment. For example:
- In Reading, teachers will listen to children read (assessing their fluency and ability to cope with new words) and question the children to ensure their understanding and opinions of a text are developing. They will also use other techniques including drama, reading tasks and reading comprehensions.
- In Writing, teachers will consider pupils’ written work in books and also their contributions to whole-class and group work. As well as in the Literacy lesson, children write in topic work and therefore teachers are able to assess children’s ability to effectively use their writing skills in wider contexts.
- In Maths, teachers can assess skills and knowledge through methods such as marking written work, questioning (especially open-ended questions) and observing practical work.
Planning
Teachers plan their lessons, especially in the core subjects, with clear learning objectives based on their detailed knowledge of each child. Through clear differentiation, we ensure that tasks set are appropriate to each child’s level of ability.
Targets
We analyse assessment data frequently to ensure that children make good progress that matches their potential. Various targets for progress can help this. As well as targets for a child’s progress, teachers set targets around what a child needs to learn next and how parents / carers can help:
‘Next Steps’: daily marking where teachers note ‘stars’ (what pupils did well) and ‘steps’ (how the next piece of work can be even better);
‘Personal Targets’: sometimes, children will be given an individual target that a teacher (and often the child) recognises as a particular area to improve (eg to show capitals clearly; to know number bonds to ten); these targets are written on a sticker on exercise books.
Please contact the school if you would like to know more about the targets we have set for your child. Teachers can provide you with ideas to support your child at home.
Reporting to pupils and parents
We believe that feedback to pupils is very important as it tells them how well they have done and what they need to do next in order to improve their work. Pupils have many opportunities to reflect and discuss their progress.
We have a range of strategies that keep parents and carers fully informed of their child’s progress in school.
Each term we offer parents and carers the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher. At the first meeting of the school year (in the autumn), we review the targets that we have identified for their child. At the second meeting (in the Spring), we evaluate their child’s progress as measured against the targets.
During the summer term, we give all parents and carers a written report of their child’s progress and achievements during the year. In this report we also identify target areas for the next school year.
Please contact the school if you have questions or comments about any aspect of your child’s work. Staff are nearly always available for a quick discussion before or after school, or an appointment can be made for a longer meeting.