Pupil Assessment Guide How teachers assess pupil progress

What has changed? Schools used to have to use national curriculum level descriptors. Children’s work was ‘levelled’ using a range of criteria. Children were then given a ‘level’ and each level had three parts to it. As of September 2014 all schools are no longer required to use these level descriptors. These old ‘levels’ do not match up with the new 2014 National Curriculum. Schools are required to find a new way of assessing pupil progress and achievement.

What is Hillcrest doing? We have been using an assessment programme called ‘Target Tracker’. Target Tracker has created its own assessment system that links with the new curriculum. Many of our local schools are also using Target Tracker and we will be working together to ensure consistency.

What is the purpose behind the new system? The idea behind this new system is to make things easier for children and parents to understand. It uses age related expectations that are clear. There are clear steps of progression. The ‘language’ of assessment will be the same across the whole school. Teachers are better able to use the system to plan and teach as well as assess. Progress is carefully monitored six times a year.

What does it look like? Every year group is split into three broad steps of development. These broad steps are coded: (these three steps are actually split in two for teachers to show gradual progression – this would be coded using a + symbol) Each year group’s set of expectations uses its own number so parents are clear about what age the assessment refers to. B the child is beginning to work at a year group’s expectations W the child is working well within a year group’s expectations S the child is working securely within a year group’s expectations

What does it look like? Year group Beginning to work at… Working well at… Securely working at… Y1 1b 1b+ 1w 1w+ 1s 1s+ Y2 2b 2b+ 2w 2w+ 2s 2s+ Y3 3b 3b+ 3w 3w+ 3s 3s+ Y4 4b 4b+ 4w 4w+ 4s 4s+ Y5 5b 5b+ 5w 5w+ 5s 5s+ Y6 6b 6b+ 6w 6w+ 6s 6s+ We would expect all children to move through these steps throughout the year. They should end up at the same starting step ready for the following year. For example: start of the year end of the year You may find that the ‘number’ before the step is different from your child’s year group – this will tell you if they are currently working below or above their year group.

What will I be told about my child’s achievement? All parents will be informed at what age related set of expectations their child is currently working at. The teacher will make it clear if this is below/on track/above for their age. You will also be told how much progress we expect your child to make this year. Finally you will be told what the school is doing, and what you and your child can do, to make sure this progress happens. You child is currently working securely at Year 4 age related expectations in writing. This is above expected for their year group. We expect your child to be beginning to work at Year 5 related expectations in writing by the end of the year. We will be putting in place one of our Literacy bundles to help your child make more progress this year.

The future…(this is the government not us) The current year 2 and year 6 pupils will still take SATS and will still get assessed under the old ‘level’ system. From September 2015 onwards pupils will get tested in Reception in key areas of learning and will be given a national standardised score: Below 100 = below average level of attainment 100 = average level of attainment Above 100 = above average level of attainment All pupils will then be tested again in Year 6 and be given the same standardised score. The relationship between their Reception score and their Year 6 score will be how their progress in primary school is judged. Schools’ own system of assessment for their pupils will be expected to assure progress is expected.

While you are waiting… Please complete a parent/carer questionnaire about Hillcrest. It’s on the school website’s homepage. Once completed click ‘finish survey’. Thanks. If you don’t have time now, you can complete it at home. Click here