Assessment

Early Years Assessment

Children in the Early Years are supported by experienced staff who observe and engage with each child's achievements, interests and learning styles. These help to direct learning priorities and plan the next stages in the learning experiences for the child. 

During the children’s first half-term in Reception class, the teacher assesses the ability of each child using a school designed baseline assessment. From this we set targets for each child to work towards. We use this information to modify the teaching programme for individual children and groups of children. 

This information is shared with parents at regular intervals throughout the year including classroom visits, Parents' Evening and end of year reports.

Assessment in Y1-6

Every day, staff are observing how children are learning and progressing. This is done through conversations with the child, marking of children's work, listening to children read and asking them questions.

Alongside this informal assessment there are also more formal assessment times during the year where pupils will sit tests which will provide staff with a comprehensive picture of the children's achievements. These tests are sat in the classroom environment that is familiar to the children. The teacher ensures a positive atmosphere is set and that children are able to achieve their best. It's very important to us at Bank Leaze that pupils 'enjoy' these tests and see them as a time to show off all of their hard work and not something to be at all worried about. We use many techniques across the Academy to help support children to do this during these times. If you would like any further information about this please speak to Ms Nelson or Miss Parsons.

This information is shared with parents at regular intervals throughout the year including classroom visits, Parents' Evening and end of year reports.

Understanding Statutory Primary Assessment

In line with government expectations, children will take part in statutory assessments in Reception, Y1, Y4 and Y6.

Reception - The Reception Baseline Assessment.

The RBA is a short, interactive and practical assessment of your child’s early literacy, communication, language and mathematics skills when they begin school. The purpose of the assessment is to provide the starting point for a progress measure that will help parents understand how well schools support their pupils to progress between reception and year 6. Results of the baseline will help direct staff in the best way to support children to access the curriculum.

Y1 - Phonics Screening

Sat in June, the purpose of the Phonics Screening Check is to confirm that all children have learned phonic decoding to an age appropriate standard. This is something that is taught in daily phonics session for children from the start of Reception. 32 out of 40 has been the 'pass' mark for the last few years. The score from the check will be shared in the end of year report. Children who have not passed the check in Y1 will have the opportunity to re-sit this in Y2.

Y4 - Multiplication Check

The purpose of the check is to determine whether your child can fluently recall their times tables up to 12, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will also help your child’s school to identify if your child may need additional support. Scores for the Multiplication check will be shared in the end of year report with the check being taken in June. There is no official pass mark for the check.

Y6 KS2 SATs

If you have a child in year 6, at the end of key stage 2 (KS2) they will take national curriculum assessments in: English grammar, punctuation and spelling; English reading and Mathematics. The tests help measure the attainment of pupils in relation to the standards  set out in the national curriculum, and help teachers and parents identify  where pupils may need additional support in a certain subject area. These are sat in May of Year 6 and the results are shared with parents once we have them, usually at the beginning of July.

 

It is important to note that they are not qualifications and do not affect your child's future options in school, but that the results are used to help teachers pitch their lessons at the appropriate level for their classes, with a view to helping children reach their full potential.

Information on how your child scored in these tests will be sent home with their annual report in July.