INTRODUCTION

At Westward all pupils are continually assessed as they progress through the school. Assessment is the process of obtaining, analysing and interpreting evidence for use by both pupils and teachers to enable the review, planning and improvement of learning. It is fully integrated within the delivery of the curriculum and is an essential component of effective classroom practice.

AIMS

The aims of assessment:

• Promotes and supports learning
• Informs teaching and future planning
• Is both formative and summative
• Recognises all pupils progress and achievement
• Is manageable
• Involves children at all stages and parents where applicable
• Includes an effective marking strategy which informs pupils on how to achieve their targets

Our assessments will also provide information for others. These include:

• Parents to show progression/concerns and so involve them in the teaching and learning process.
• Other staff to help them plan and gain informed views.
• Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)
• Outside agencies

PLANNING ASSESSMENTS

Formative and summative assessments are included in the planning process.

• All subjects have a curriculum scheme of work
• Termly forecasts
• Individual teachers’ folders include weekly planning, children’s records etc

KEEPING EVIDENCE

Pupils progress is tracked on entry to the school from Reception to Year 6 and is regularly monitored by the Headteacher.

Evidence sources include;

• Termly tracking of pupils against the Early Learning goals in Reception.
• ‘Baseline Assessment’ information carried out in the first half of the Autumn term in Reception.
• End of Reception ‘Foundation Stage Profile’ results.
• Age standardised test scores from termly PIRA (English comprehension), GAPS (spelling, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary) and PUMA (Maths) tests for pupils in Year 1 to Year 6. Reception pupils will also take the PIRA and PUMA tests in the Summer term where appropriate.
• Age standardised test scores from the annual GL Assessment Spelling test for pupils in Year 1 to Year 6.
• Age standardised test scores from annual NFER Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning tests for pupils in Year 3 to Year 6.
• Age standardised scores from Year 6 computerised Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning tests.
• In house test results in core subjects.
• Teachers mark books.
• Writing assessments.
• Children’s books.
• Individual Support Plans/Action Plans.
• Observation notes by members of the senior management team.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

All teachers assess their class or group on a regular basis so that they can plan the next stage in the child’s learning. It helps teachers monitor progress, provide motivation and helps with planning. These types of assessment take place on a regular basis:

• Individual assessments
• Group assessments
• Class assessments

These are achieved through observation, discussion, testing and evidence.

DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT

Staff are required to identify strengths and weaknesses of individual children through diagnostic testing.

This includes:

• Individual programmes of work
• Individual Support Plans/Action Plans
• Target setting
• Checklists
• Specific tasks/ activities
• SENCO providing help through external support agencies

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Summative assessments are used to help decide what a child is capable of doing at a particular time. These also provide a comparison.

• Assessments for particular tasks eg following the completion of each topic or skill.
• Termly PIRA, GAPS and PUMA testing.
• End of year NFER tests in Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning.
• End of year GL Assessment Spelling test.

Age standardised test scores are shared with parents from the end of Year 3.

Reception

EYFS Foundation Stage Profile (End of Year Assessment against the Early Learning Goals).

PIRA and PUMA tests in the Summer term where deemed appropriate.

Year 1 & 2

Termly PIRA, GAPS and PUMA tests.

End of year GL Assessment Spelling test.

LAMDA Examination.

Year 3,4 & 5

Termly PIRA, GAPS and PUMA tests.

Termly in house tests set in the core subjects.

End of Year NFER Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning tests.

End of year GL Assessment Spelling test.

Year 3 & 4 - ESB Examination.

Year 6

PIRA, GAPS, PUMA testing in the Autumn term.

NFER Verbal and Non-verbal computerised test in the Autumn term.

GL Assessment Spelling test in the Autumn term.

Year 6 ESB Examination.

Year 6 - Primary Maths Challenge - Mathematical Association - Autumn Term.

REPORTING TO PARENTS

Reporting to parents provides the opportunity for communication about their child’s achievements, abilities and future targets. Reports are written so that they have a positive effect on the child’s attitude, motivation and self-esteem.

Parents’ Evenings are held regularly (see below) and parents can also request meetings with the class teacher when required throughout the school year.

Class teachers also keep in regular contact with parents through the School's email system.

At Westward we provide the following opportunities for each year group:

Reception

June – Welcome to the Early Years Event for new parents

Autumn Term – Curriculum Meeting

                              Meet and Greet

                              Parent Consultations

Spring Term -  Parent Consultations

Summer Term - Parent Consultations

Termly coffee mornings

Written report at the end of the Autumn and Summer Term

Year 1

Autumn Term – Transition to Year 1 Curriculum Meeting

                               Meet and Greet

                               Parents' Evening

Spring Term - Parents’ Evening

Written report at the end of the Autumn and Summer Term                        

Year 2

Autumn Term –  Curriculum Evening

                               Meet and Greet

                               Parents' Evening

Spring Term – Parents’ Evening

Written report at the end of the Autumn and Summer Term

Year 3

Autumn Term - Transition to the Upper School Curriculum Meeting

                              Meet & Greet

                              Parents' Evening

Spring Term – Parents’ Evening

Summer Term – Meeting about what your child’s age standardised score means

Target report at the end of the Autumn and Spring term.

Full report at the end of the Summer term.

Year 4

Autumn Term - Curriculum Evening

                              Meet & Greet

                              Parents' Evening

Spring Term – Parents’ Evening

Summer Term – Meeting about what your child’s age standardised score means

Target report at the end of the Autumn and Spring term.

Full report at the end of the Summer term.

Year 5

Autumn  Term - Curriculum Evening

                               Meet and Greet

                               Parents’ Evening

Spring Term -  Parents' Evening

Summer Term - Transition to Year 6 Meeting

Target report at the end of the Autumn and Spring term.

Full report at the end of the Summer term.

Year 6

Autumn Term - Parents' Evening

                              Pre-Exam Meeting

Report Card at half term in the Autumn term and a full written report at the end of the Autumn and Summer term

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN STAFF

Discussion takes place between class teachers and SENCO (where required) before children transfer into the next class. Non–teaching staff are often included and time is allocated in staff meetings to discuss any child who is giving cause for concern or to celebrate individual achievements.

Last updated October 2020