Moving to Life Without Levels

What is the new primary grading system? In previous years children’s progress was assessed using national curriculum levels. As of September 2015 this changed. The government decided to remove ‘level descriptors’ from the National Curriculum. Schools will be expected to establish their own assessment systems to suit their children and parents.

Expected Grades Last Year Below Age Related Age Related Above Age Related Year 1 Below 1c 1a 2c and above Year 2 Below 2c 2b 2a and above Year 3 Below 2a 2a / 3c 3b and above Year 4 Below 3c 3b 3a and above Year 5 Below 3a 3a / 4c 4b and above Year 6 Below 4c 4b 5 and above

Why the change? The Department for Education felt levels were too vague and complicated for parents and not very good at helping them understand their child’s progress; there were also concerns that the levels system could contribute to children developing a "fixed mindset" about their ability and potential for growth. Levels were used in school to grade pupils from ages five to 14. At the age of 11, when children leave primary school, they were expected to have achieved at least a Level 4 in English, maths and science.

So how will children be awarded a grade after September 2015? Teachers will use statements to describe pupils' progress, as well as commenting on whether a child has made good progress over the year, giving details of curriculum areas where they have achieved well and areas that need more development and support: Working below age related expectations Working at age related expectations From summer 2016, there will also be more challenging SATs tests to reflect the new curriculum at the end of the Key Stages.

New Curriculum On the website you will find all the curriculum plans and frameworks used by class teachers. There are frameworks for; Maths Writing Spelling, Vocabulary and Grammar There is also a Calculations Policy which indicates methods taught for calculation

Reporting to Parents This term in school we have undergone a period of transition to the new life without levels system. When you are speaking to your child’s class teacher they will report whether your child is; Working below age related expectations Emerging – entering age related expectations Developing - working within age related age expectations Secure - has met age related expectations Mastery – is secure and is now “deepening learning” *Please be aware that the new year group expectations are more challenging

Expectations This Year Below Age Related Age Related EMERGING DEVELOPING SECURE Above Age Related Year 1 1E 1D 1S 1M Year 2 2E 2D 2S 2M Year 3 3E 3D 3S 3M Year 4 4E 4D 4S 4M Year 5 5E 5D 5S 5M Year 6 6E 6D 6S 6M

When will your child be assessed? At Wilthorpe we will continually assess your child and make judgements on their progress termly. Alongside continuous teacher assessments, there will still be national assessments : Children will undergo a new baseline test in Reception (from September 2016) the Phonics Screening Check in Year 1 the end-of-Key-Stage test in Year 2 (KS1 SATs) the end-of-Key-Stage test in Year 6 (KS2 SATs)

What are the expected grades for the end of each year group? With levels abolished and the introduction of ‘performance descriptors’, it looks like there will be a lot less emphasis on expected grades for each year group, but rather a focus on whether a child has acquired the expected knowledge or not. The government will set the precise extent of progress required in each year group once the new Key Stage 2 tests have been set for the first time in May 2016.

Key Stage 1 Tests Phonics test – as in previous years for Y1 and for those in Y2 who did not meet the standard in Y1 or who did not take the test before New Year 2 tests in May; Maths, Reading and Spelling, Vocabulary and Grammar – no writing test Outcomes will be in the form of scaled scores Teacher assessment will be reported also

Key Stage 2 Tests New Year 6 tests in May; Maths, Reading and Spelling, Vocabulary and Grammar – no writing test One set of tests for each subject – a small number of questions will test the most able Arithmetic test replaces mental maths test Outcomes will be in the form of scaled scores Teacher assessment will be reported also

Questions?