Assessing and Tracking Progress

From September 2014 how schools assess children’s progress and attainment changed in Key Stages 1 and 2.  

The National  Curriculum has been written to give Age Related Expectations (ARE) for the end of each year in English and mathematics. As children travel from Year 1 to Year 6 in our school, they will be tracked against expectations for their age group.

We use attainment information to set aspirational targets for children and regularly evaluate the progress made during the year and from individual starting points.

In foundation subjects we regularly assess whether children are attaining in line with expectations, below expectations or above expectations. These assessments are related to substantive and disciplinary knowledge from our long term plans. Attainment outcomes are reported to parents for every curriculum subject in the child's end of year report.

Frequently asked questions

When do children do statutory assessments?

SATs take place for Years 2 and 6. Children have assessments in reading, writing, mathematics and spelling, punctuation and grammar. Results are communicated via the pupil's school report at the end of the academic year.  

What can I do to help my child?

There is so much parents can help with, reading is very important along with times tables, spellings and practicing number bonds. Also completing homework as well as talking about what they are learning in school. Our website has links to supporting websites and the BBC website where there are lots of fun games to support primary learning. Your class teacher will also give you some specific pointers to help your child at home.

What do teachers use to gauge children’s progress?

Children’s independent work is the biggest indicator of what they can do and how they do it.  Teachers use this on a daily basis to know and check pupil understanding and progress. Curriculum assessments are carried out at the end of taught units and more formal assessments are carried out on a termly basis in English and mathematics.

How do all schools know that their judgements about progress and attainment match up with each other? 

At Ripon Cathedral School we work across the school and with other local schools to agree and ’moderate’ attainment levels. All schools also have external moderation from the Local Authority. 

What happens when my child goes to Secondary School?

High schools will have their own systems and will work with the primaries to ensure that the systems work together, so there is continuity for children’s progress. 

Do the teachers use any other forms of assessment?

Throughout all lessons teachers continuously monitor and assess learning, ensuring that any misconceptions pupils have in learning are quickly addressed, so that they can continue to make progress within that session.  As well as reviewing pupils recorded work, teachers will also use tests and screen to review how well pupils have retained learning over a period of time.