How We Assess

Assessment provides valuable information for everyone involved in a child’s education:

• Children understand what they are doing well and what they need to improve

• Teachers use assessment to plan lessons, adapt teaching and provide support or challenge

• Parents and carers receive clear information about progress and attainment

• School leaders and governors use assessment to monitor standards and improve teaching

• External partners and agencies are assured that high expectations are maintained

Assessment is part of everyday learning and takes place in all lessons. Teachers assess pupils through:

• Questioning and discussion

• Observations of learning and responses

• Low-stakes activities and retrieval tasks

• Live marking and verbal feedback during lessons, allowing pupils to respond immediately

• Written feedback in books
  

This ongoing assessment allows teachers to identify gaps, address misconceptions and adapt teaching to meet pupils’ needs.

Feedback helps pupils understand how to improve and take responsibility for their learning. At Barnsole:

• Pupils receive clear oral and written feedback

• Teachers identify next steps and successes

• Pupils are given time to respond to feedback in lessons

• Self- and peer-assessment are used to encourage reflection and independence
  
  

This approach helps pupils build confidence and develop positive learning behaviours.

Schools are required to carry out formal assessments to measure attainment against national expectations.

Early Years (Nursery and Reception)

• Assessment on entry (Baseline Assessment) to identify starting points

• Ongoing assessment through daily interactions and play-based learning

• Early Years Foundation Stage Profile at the end of Reception

• Use of Tapestry to record progress and share learning with parents

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

• Phonics Screening Check in Year 1 (and Year 2 if required)

• Ongoing teacher assessment throughout the key stage

Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6)

• Multiplication Tables Check in Year 4

• Statutory tests (KS2 SATs) at the end of Year 6 in reading, grammar, spelling and maths

• Ongoing teacher assessment throughout the key stage
  

Pupils in Years 1 to 5 complete NFER assessments three times a year in:

• Reading

• Maths

• Spelling

• Grammar
  
  

These assessments help to:

• Track progress over time

• Compare attainment against national averages

• Identify strengths and areas for support

• Provide parents with clear information about progress
  
  

NFER assessments are used alongside teacher judgement and classroom assessment.

Pupil progress meetings are held regularly to review attainment and progress. Teachers and school leaders use assessment information to:

• Identify pupils or groups who may need additional support

• Plan targeted intervention

• Adapt teaching and learning approaches

• Review the impact of support and differentiation
  
  

This ensures that teaching responds effectively to pupils’ needs.

To maintain high standards, assessment is supported through:

• Moderation within school and across the Maritime Trust

• Regular review of pupils’ work, feedback and progress

• Pupil progress meetings to agree next steps and intervention

• Ongoing professional development and shared assessment guidance

We value strong partnerships with parents and carers. We share assessment information through:

• Parents’ evenings and meetings

• Written reports

• Ongoing communication about progress and next steps
  
  

This ensures parents feel informed and supported in helping their child succeed.

Assessment at Barnsole is purposeful and supportive. It informs teaching, guides learning and helps every child make progress and achieve their best.