Assessment Arrangements for KS1 in 2016

Following our update on KS2, children are also tested (SATs) in year 2 at the end of KS1. A new National Curriculum was introduced in 2014 and as a result, the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) is changing the tests so that they assess the new curriculum. Pupils will take the new tests for the first time in May 2016. We do not currently know how the results of these assessments will be reported to parents. The tests will be as follows:

Reading:
Paper 1 consists of a selection of texts with questions interspersed
Paper 2 comprises a reading booklet of a selection of passages and children will write their answers in a separate booklet.

English grammar, punctuation and spelling:
Paper 1: a grammar and punctuation written task, taking approximately 20 minutes, and worth 15 marks. Children will be provided with a prompt and stimulus for a short piece of writing, with a clear text type, audience and purpose. Handwriting will be worth four per cent of the marks.
Paper 2: a grammar, punctuation and vocabulary test, in two sections of around 10 minutes each (with a break between, if necessary), worth 20 marks. This will involve a mixture of selecting the right answers e.g. through multiple choice, and writing short answers.
Paper 3: a 20-word spelling test taking approximately 15 minutes and worth 10 marks.

Maths:
Paper 1: Arithmetic, worth 25 marks and taking around 15 minutes.
Paper 2: Mathematical fluency, problem-solving and reasoning, worth 35 marks and taking 35 minutes, with a break if necessary. There will be a variety of question types: multiple choice, matching, true/false, constrained (e.g. completing a chart or table; drawing a shape) and less constrained (e.g. where children have to show or explain their method). Children will not be able to use any tools such as calculators or number lines.

As with KS2, please note that we measure all pupil progress and attainment by using the National Curriculum expectations for each year group. We use forms of ongoing teacher assessment to help us when we are planning the next steps for your children. These also tell us whether children are working at, above or below national expectations for their age. We also regularly give opportunities to review how well your children are doing.

KS2 Assessment Arrangements for 2016

From 2016 onwards, KS2 assessments will be reported as 'Scaled Scores' based on test results for Reading and Maths.
Teacher Assessment for Writing will be reported as 1 of 5 performance descriptors:

• Mastery Standard
• Above National Standard
• National Standard
• Working towards National Standard
• Below National Standard

The tests will be as follows:

The Reading Test

• 60 minutes reading and answer booklet

The Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation Test

• 20 word spelling test
• grammar, punctuation and vocabulary test 20 mins

The Maths Test

• 2 mathematical reasoning papers of 40 mins each
• 1 mental arithmetic paper of 30 mins

Science will be teacher assessed.

The timetable for the tests will be:
Monday 9 May:
English reading test
Tuesday 10 May:
English grammar, punctuation and spelling
Paper 1: spelling; English grammar, punctuation and spelling
Paper 2: questions
Wednesday 11 May:
Mathematics
Paper 1: arithmetic
Mathematics Paper 2: reasoning
Thursday 12 May:
Mathematics Paper 3: reasoning

More details will follow as they become available! We will also be talking to you about your child’s progress at key times throughout the year. We measure all pupil progress and attainment by using the National Curriculum expectations for each year group. We use forms of ongoing teacher assessment to help us when we are planning the next steps for your children. These also tell us whether children are working at, above or below national expectations for their age.

Primary Progress Calculation

An attempt to explain the new primary progress measure and calculation...

Interim Assessment Framework...

Please find below a link to the new video published by STA (Standards and Testing Agency) on the new Interim Assessment Frameworks for primary school assessments in 2016. Little new information to impart but we may still find the video useful...

Making Good Lessons Great!

A conversation with an Ofsted inspector about strategies for making learning even better...

• —“Simply judge teaching on whether children are engaged, focused, learning, and making progress ... and in the best lessons (are) being inspired”.
• —Too many teachers were attempting to break lessons into bite-sized chunks instead of allowing pupils time to complete extended tasks.
• —The secret lies in a teacher’s planning, self-reflection, perceptiveness and resilience.
• —Think about what is going to fully engage your pupils. What is the curiosity that you provoke, the responsibilities you delegate or the surprise that you reveal. 
• —There are thousands of outstanding teachers who are branded "good" because the level of risk they, for good reason, refuse to take big risks in observed lessons. 
• —Work scrutiny is a huge source of evidence.

Good to Great!

We've been spending time as a staff reviewing our progress using the theme 'Good to Great!' This has been a useful way of exploring what we do well and what we need to do to get even better.

Themed learning experiences...

Part of our INSET day last half term was reviewing the opportunities we provide for pupils and staff to work in a more collaborative way across the phases. Working with colleagues and peers we hope to create many more cross curricular opportunities and more compelling learning experiences that will provide a stimulus for pupils and opportunities for inspiration.