Assessment Overview

At Newhall Park we view assessment as a very important tool for benchmarking the starting point of a child's education and to track progress and attainment.  Previously levels were used to assess attainment against the National Curriculum but these level descriptors were removed by the government and schools are now expected to use their own methods to track progress and attainment.  It is therefore up to each school to develop its own system.

In the new National Curriculum, there is a much greater emphasis on ensuring that children have a solid understanding of what they are learning rather than trying to move them as quickly as possible to the next level.

How are children awarded a grade in the no-levels system?

Newhall Park have followed national guidelines and devised our own system to assess and measure pupils' progress.  These statements provide parents and teachers with information on how they achieve for their age.  These include the following criteria:

• Working at 'below' level of attainment for his/her age group.
• Is 'emerging' towards the standard for his/her age group.
• Is 'developing' towards the standard for his/her age group.
• Is 'secure' at the age related standard.
• Is 'exceeding' at the age related standard.

What about children who are below the expected level?

Of course, there will still be children who will not meet the expected standard and they will continue to be teacher assessed using P scales, which is a nationally recognised system of measuring the progress of children who are working below the national curriculum levels.  

Statutory Assessment

Which statutory assessments will my child take?

In Year 1, all children have to sit a phonics screening test.  This test is designed to indicate whether a child is able to phonetically decode and read words.  Children are shown a number of words (both real and pseud-words) which they have to be able to read using their phonic knowledge.

In Year 2 and 6, children are tested in the summer term to determine whether or not they have reached the required age-related standard in reading, spelling, punctuation and grammar and mathematics.  Writing is assessed in school as a part of their on going class work.  Every two years, a small number of Year 6 pupils are selected from across all schools in England to sit an assessment in science.  Parents will be informed if this will apply to their child.

When will the assessments take place?

Phonics - Year 1

• In 2018 the screening checks will be held in the week beginning 11th June.
• In 2019 the screening checks will be held in the week beginning 10th June.

Key Stage 1 - Year 2

The Key Stage 1 assessments will take place at a time of the school's choosing within the month of May.

Key Stage 2 - Year 6

In 2018, the tests will be held in the week beginning 14th May.

In 2019, the tests will be held in the week beginning 13th May.

What is the timetable for the assessments?

There is no fixed timetable for the phonic screening check and the Year 2 assessments.  These will be carried out with individual pupils, groups or classes as needed.

In Year 6, the assessments have to be administered in the designated test week and on specific days according to a fixed timetable:

Monday

English Paper 1: Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling -  short answer questions. 
English Paper 2: Spelling.

Tuesday

English Reading Paper.
Wednesday

Maths Paper 1: Arithmetic Paper. 
Maths Paper 2: Reasoning Paper.

Thursday

Maths Paper 3: Reasoning Paper.

How are the assessments marked and what will they tell me about my child?

Both the Phonic Screening test and the Year 2 assessments are marked in school.  The Year 6 assessments are marked externally.  

The outcome of the phonics screening test is a score corresponding to the number of words the child read correctly.  To have achieved the required standard children must reach or exceed a nationally set pass mark.

For the Year 2 and Year 6 assessments, the total number of marks will be converted into a 'scaled score'.  The scaled score will be a number either at, just above or below 100.  Achieving a scaled score of 100 will mean that the pupil is working at the expected standard for the end of their key stage.  A number less than 100 will mean that the child has not achieved the expected standard and a number greater than 100 will mean that the child has exceeded the national standard. 

How can I help my child?

• First and foremost, support and reassure your child that there is nothing to worry about with school assessments and they should always just try their best.  Praise and encourage!
• Ensure your child has the best possible attendance at school.
• Support your child with any homework tasks.
• Reading, spelling and arithmetic are always good to practise.  Reading together for a short time each night can help a lot, and can also help improve a child's writing as well.
• Talk to your child about what they have learnt at school and what book(s) they are reading, the character, the plot and their opinion.
• Make sure your child has a good sleep and healthy breakfast every morning.  

Where can I get more Information?

Below are some useful links:

Learning to read through Phonics - Guidance for parents regarding the screening test

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/learning-to-read-through-phonics-information-for-parents   

Standards and Testing Agency  - Guidance for parents on the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Assessments

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2017-national-curriculum-tests-for-key-stages-1-and-2-information-for-parents

Pupil Outcomes 2018 - 2019

We are extremely proud of the achievements of our children and the hard work from everyone involved.  

Please see the data below for details of our 2018/19 outcomes.

For more information on how to access the school Performance Tables please visit the link below:

In order to view the Data Dashboard for Newhall Park please visit https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/132185/newhall-park-primary-school