Consultation Launched - Primary Assessment in England

The Department for Education has launched a public consultation exercise about the future of the primary assessment system in England. Details are included in a statement made to Parliament today by Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening.

The consultation sets out wide-ranging proposals for improving the primary assessment system. These include consideration of the best starting point from which to measure pupils' progress, how to ensure the assessment system is proportionate, and how to improve end of key stage assessments.

A parallel consultation, also launched today, is asking for views on the recommendations of the independent Rochford Review. The recommendations focus on the future of statutory assessment arrangements for pupils working below the standard of national curriculum tests at the end of key stages 1 and 2.

The STA have produced a short video which introduces the main consultation themes.

All those with an interest in primary education are encouraged to engage with these consultation exercises and to share their opinions and insights. The consultation is open until 22 June 2017.

Problem of the day for KS1 and 2!

The White Rose Maths Hub is providing teachers and parents with a free 'problem of the day' in March for KS1 and 2 pupils. An ideal addition to our daily routine as we approach SATs!
The link to the resource which will be complete by the end of the month is here: Problem of the day!

Trust Me!

LGfL and Childnet have partnered to develop 'Trust Me', the new critical-thinking resource that encourages young people to ask themselves who, what, when and why they can trust online. This looks a really useful resource and the link to it is available here: https://www.lgfl.net/online-safety/trust-me

SATs Guidance for Parents 2017

The Standards and Testing Agency have shared two videos for parents about the forthcoming end of Key Stage assessments or SATS: KS1 is the top and KS2 below!

Books about safeguarding-related issues....?

This is a really useful link from this weeks safeguarding briefing and makes some great suggestions for children's books on a range of subjects that are safeguarding related.

Books Focusing on Identity, Belonging, Conflict, Migrant and Refugee Experiences

Books about Kindness, compassion and empathy

Books about bullying for 8-12s

Books about depression

Books about grief and loss

Eating Disorders Awareness Booklist

Children's books on dementia

Teacher Assessment & Moderation: Addressing Misconceptions

This video focuses on the teacher assessment of key stage 2 writing and was published by the DfE a few days ago. Clarification on some of the more technical aspects of judging the standards!

Formal or Informal Tone...?

Some recent training for our Year 6 staff revolved the expectation that pupils should switch between levels of formality in their writing to achieve a greater depth standard at the end of KS2. Not something that the majority of us find easy to spot - this guide might be a good starting point?