Assessment plays an important part in helping teachers to recognise pupils’ progress, understand their needs and to plan appropriate activities and support. Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning and development process.
Assessment in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery & Reception) teachers and support staff use observation as a tool to understand children’s level of achievement, their interests and learning styles, and to then shape learning experiences for each child reflecting those observations. All adults who interact with the children contribute to the process and information provided by parents is highly valued.
As part of the school’s on-entry assessment, teachers undertake a baseline which is observation based and used to gather information on children’s starting points when they join the Nursery or Reception classes. This is used to inform planning and to help measure pupils’ progress over time.
Assessment at Key Stages 1 & 2 (KS1 & KS2)
Teacher assessment is the main focus for assessment at KS1 and KS2 .The outcomes are based on teachers’ knowledge of how a child has performed over time through the Key Stage.
In Year 1 a Phonics Screening Check is administered to all children in the summer term. Children who do not meet the expected standard at the end of Year 1 are re-assessed at the end of Year 2.
In the summer term, pupils in Year 2 undertake statutory tests in English and mathematics. Outcomes of these assessments are used to help inform teacher assessment judgements which are reported to parents at the end of the year.
From June 2022, children in Year 4 will take a statutory Multiplication Tables Check (MTC). The purpose of the check is to determine whether pupils can fluently recall their times tables up to 12, which is essential for future success in mathematics. Along with teachers’ ongoing assessment, the MTC is intended to support schools in idenitfying pupils who may need additional support.
In the final term of Year 6 children undertake end of KS2 statutory assessment tests designed to assess the children’s knowledge and understanding in English and mathematics. National Curriculum test results are reported to parents in their child’s end of year report.