Information Evening December 2014

Objectives of the evening: To give an overview of changes in education since Sept To share our School Improvement Plan To introduce our new target system. To introduce our new mental maths scheme and calculations scheme. To discuss core British values in light of Ofsted.

Overview of changes in education since Sept New curriculum 2014, including complete overhaul of content of KS1 and KS2 curriculum. Changes to assessment – life without levels. New Ofsted framework changes, including huge changes relating to safeguarding and SMSC Changes to SEND in schools Universal free school meals Funding changes

New curriculum 2014, including complete overhaul of content of KS1 and KS2 curriculum. The school curriculum in England - Sept 2014 Every state-funded school must offer a curriculum which is balanced and broadly based and which: promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. Although the new curriculum is intended to be more challenging, the content is actually slimmer than the previous curriculum, focusing on essential core subject knowledge and skills. Children are expected to gain a real depth of understanding. As you know we have already started to implement our new curriculum following meetings last year.

We have identified 4 main ‘drivers’ which are constantly considered when deciding how and what we teach. Our drivers are factors that we value as a school, these coupled with our agreed visions and aims give focus to learning opportunities and are embedded throughout teaching and learning, developing the child as a whole.

AUTUMNSPRINGSUMMER CYCLE A WATER WARRIORSCHANGING WORLDPEOPLE, POWER, PROGRESS CYCLE B MEDIEVAL MARVELSMIND BLOWING MEMORIES TIME TRAVELLERS

Assessment and targets The government’s policy of removing level descriptors from the National Curriculum is set out in terms of freeing schools from an imposed measure of pupil progress. The Department for Education (DfE) has said that levels are not very good with respect to helping parents to understand how far their child is improving in real terms. In their place, from September 2014, “it will be for schools to decide how they show pupils’ progress”. With levels removed and the focus now on raising the achievement of every pupil, schools need to choose whatever measure of pupil attainment and progress they feel is most appropriate. We believe that a whole school system that is understood by everyone is vital. A system that enables the children to know where on their own learning journey they are, and what they need to do to improve. Parents, too, need to understand how they can support their children with their next steps.

Astronaut selection LaunchpadMercury Venus Earth Mars JupiterSaturn Uranus Neptune Milky way Outer Space What is important is that each child’s journey is their own individual story.

Some journeys will seem shorter on paper but to get real depth of understanding may take time. Assessment in school will us a 6 step system B, B+, W, W+, S and S+

New mental maths targets Each child will have their own log book containing the mental maths facts that they need to learn. Speed of recall is vital as the children are assessed using 10 facts that they need to recall within 30 seconds, ie 3 seconds each. This will again reflect their own journey through the planets.

So Venus ‘Know by heart all bonds of multiples of 10 to 100 would be tested with a list of 10 multiples and the children would need to wrote or respond to each correctly within 30 seconds.

So what does this mean to you and your child? We have worked this term to assess the children to ensure that they start on the right planet for their journey. In January your child will receive their personal learning journey targets to bring home so that you can help them to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to reach the next planet. They will also have their sheets in their books at school so that they are a constant reminder during lessons.

Initial targets will be in Maths, including mental recall, Writing and Reading.

In terms of discussing attainment and progress we will use the following: Below expected, Expected, Exceeding to describe your child’s attainment against National age expected descriptors. Progress will be split into the small 6 step system, but measured as a journey from one planet to the next over a 12 month period ie 2 steps per term. (Assessment in school will us a 6 step system B, B+, W, W+, S and S+) End of year reports will need to be changed to reflect the new assessment systems.

Children will be introduced to strategies when they are ready. Many of the strategies expected in the new curriculum are those that parents will probably have used at school.

The policy will be on the website for easy access by parents.

“Keeping our children safe and ensuring schools prepare them for life in modern Britain could not be more important. This change is an important step towards ensuring we have a strong legal basis for intervening in those schools where this is an issue.” “The vast majority of schools already promote British values. This is about making sure we have the tools we need to intervene if children are being let down.” Schools are required to actively promote and not undermine “British Values” The government has set out its definition of British Values as:  democracy  the rule of law  individual liberty  mutual respect  tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs British Values

What do you think we need to include for the children at our school? Phoenix class did a great job with their ideas….

The new target and mental maths policy will be implemented from January If parents have any concerns please speak with teachers. Thank you.