Assessment is integral to what we do at Coupe Green. All staff take time to get to know the children really well so they can plan the next steps for their learning. This takes place on a daily basis in lessons and learning experiences informally. We also assess children formally in the form of tests at different points throughout the year. For example, the children have a weekly spelling test and they may complete end of term assessments for English and Mathematics. All assessments give teachers information about the children to inform future learning opportunities. All tests are carried out in a relaxed way to encourage children to try their best.
Children’s progress is tracked carefully throughout their time at Coupe Green. This allows us to identify if there are children who need to be challenged further or if children are falling behind we can put in the necessary actions to improve progress and attainment. This may mean a child could receive extra provision for the aspect they are finding hard until they are back on track.
Teacher assessments will form the basis of your child’s learning and achievements. Parents will be given information about their child ‘s achievements against the expected standard for the year group.
Marking and Feedback
Marking is an integral part of the assessment process. Quality marking provides constructive feedback to children, focusing on success and improvement needs against the learning objectives and success criteria, targets. This enables children to become reflective learners and helps them to close the gap between what they can currently do and what we would like them to do.
Marking is seen as a constant dialogue with each pupil, and all adults at our school will work with pupils to improve their learning particularly in relation to basic skills at an age appropriate level.
Statutory Assessments
Throughout the Reception school year the children are assessed using the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile.
Reception Baseline Assessment
As the children enter Reception, they will have a short baseline assessment. It will provide objective and reliable information on an individual child’s stage of development in some crucial areas. Combined with other evidence, this can help teachers plan learning activities tailored to support each child’s progression.
Phonics Screening
Children in Year 1 and some children in Year 2, who may need to re-sit the test, will undertake a phonics test in the Summer Term. The children are required to read 20 real and 20 made up words to demonstrate their phonic ability. As a school this gives us information about what your child can do and what areas they need to work on. The government sets a benchmark for the children to achieve. Those children who do not reach the expected level with work on their areas for development and re take the following year.
Standardised Assessment Tests and Tasks (SATs)
Children in Year 2 and 6 will be first to take the new SATs papers. These tests in English and Maths will reflect the new curriculum.
At the end of Year 2, children will take SATs in:
- Reading – two separate papers consisting of a selection of texts and questions.
- English grammar, punctuation and spelling – three separate papers.
- A grammar and punctuation written task consisting of a short piece of writing. Handwriting to be worth some of the marks.
- A grammar, punctuation and vocabulary test. This will involve a mixture of selecting the correct answers, multiple choice and writing short answers.
- A 20 word spelling test.
- Maths – 2 papers, 1 arithmetic and 1 reasoning.
Tests are set externally they are marked internally by our teachers.
At the end of Year 6, children will take SATs in:
- Reading – a single paper comprehension
- Maths – 3 papers, 1 arithmetic and papers 2 and 3 mathematical reasoning.
- Spelling, punctuation and grammar –two parts: a grammar and punctuation paper requiring short answers and a spelling test.
These tests will be both set and marked externally. Your child’s marks will be used in conjunction with teacher assessment to give a boarder picture of their attainment.
Not all children will take a science SAT, however some schools will be selected to take part in sampling. There will be 3 papers; Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Children will be given a standardised score. Your child will also receive an overall result saying whether they have achieved the required standard in the tests.
Reporting to parents
We meet with parents in the Autumn term. This gives parents an opportunity to meet the class teacher, view children’s work and discuss targets they can work on. In the Spring term parents are invited to attend another parents evening. They will receive a progress card for their child sharing attainment, effort and progress. In the Summer term all parents receive an annual written report. If parents wish to meet the class teacher to discuss the report they are given this opportunity. Parents are invited to discuss any matters throughout the year, the sooner the teacher knows about any concerns or matters the quicker they are able to deal with them. This can be done informally at the beginning or end of the school day or it is possible to arrange a meeting.