School Assessments
At Coberley, we formatively assess the children every time we teach them. We find out what they do and don't know so that we can help to address anything they don't understand, to move them on steadily in their learning and to challenge when it's needed. We do this by listening, watching and talking with the children and live marking work in their books as they do it.
Every year children, in each area of the curriculum, have a set of objectives or targets they are are taught and should endeavour to understand. Our teachers record their assessed view on Insight, a computerised target tracker. Our criteria is shown in the table.
Throughout the year children also undertake summative assessments to provide key information regarding progression and attainment and to prepare them for National Tests such as SATs and other formal tests in the future.
We use summative assessments from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) which are completed termly by children from Year 1 to Year 6. These are written tests in Maths (Arithmetic and Reasoning), Reading, Spelling and Grammar.
Following these assessments, the data is examined carefully and bespoke intervention programmes are put into place for children who are making insufficient progress, regardless of their ability. We will let parents know if your child is on an intervention programme and hope that you will support them at home.
National Assessments
These are statutory tests that the school is compelled to complete, and the results are published nationally.
EYFS (Year Reception): A baseline test when they arive at school, and an assessment at the end of the year using the EYFS Profile.
Year 1: Phonics Screening Assessment. This is a pass/fail test in which children sound out phonic words including some which are made up. Children who do not pass re-sit at the end of Year 2.
Year 4: A multiplication test is conducted using an online test.
Year 6: Key Stage 2 SATs. These are conducted in the Summer Term in reading, writing, SPAG and maths. The tests are marked externally (apart from writing) and the results are published to parents.
Reporting
Our school reports progress to parents formally in three ways:
Parents Evening
In the Autumn and Spring parents have an opportunity to have a 10 minute slot to discuss academic progress and pastoral development with class teachers. It is a crucial meeting to discuss attainment and to focus on targets moving forward.
Written reports
In the summer term you will receive a written report which charts academic attainment and gives a summary of your child’s progress throughout the year. There will be a written report by the child, the class teacher and the headteacher. Written feedback from parents is encouraged.
Grade Cards
From Year 1 your child will also receive a grade card three times a year which shows effort and attainment in reading, writing and maths.
Parents are always welcome to have an informal conversation with staff at the beginning or end of each day or make an appointment for a longer meeting at a mutually convenient time.
