Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning and is a continuous process. It is central to helping children make progress as it allows teachers to identify pupils’ strengths and identify next steps for learning and plan how to meet their learning needs.
At Highlands we use formative assessment every day to identify what the children have learned. Formative assessment is carried out informally by teachers in the course of their daily teaching through marking pupils’ work, talking to pupils and on-going observations. Children also undertake many self-assessment activities and to use peer assessment to provide feedback to one another.
Summative assessment is used to provide evidence of a pupil’s achievement over a period of time and is carried out and recorded in a number of ways. At the end of Year 2 and Year 6 pupils sit Statutory Assessments (SATs) in Reading, Maths, Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation (GPS) in accordance with government guidelines. Teacher assessment is also made of pupils’ Writing and Science levels.
Pupils in Y1 undertake a national phonics screening test and in Year 2 there is an additional phonics screening test for pupils who did not successfully attain the required standard at the end of Year 1.
Parents receive a written report in February of each academic year on their child’s academic progress in the core and foundation subjects and on their skills and abilities in all areas of the curriculum.
Teacher Assessment Frameworks (TAFs)
At Highlands TAFs are used to support teachers in making robust and accurate judgements for pupils in year groups 1 to 6.
The frameworks set out the standard(s) children will be assessed against for Reading, Writing and Mathematics. The frameworks are also a useful planning tool for teams and parents/carers may wish to use them to support the children as part of their home learning.