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Barnfields Primary School

Assessment

At Barnfields, we believe that in order to facilitate teaching and learning, a comprehensive assessment strategy is essential.

Statutory Assessments 

Reception

At the end of their first year at school, pupils leave the Early Years Foundation Stage (Reception Class) and move into Key Stage One. At the end of Reception, a profile is completed on each child. The EYFS Profile is a statutory assessment of children’s development at the end of the academic year in which children turn 5, usually reception year. Each child’s level of development is assessed against 17 early learning goals (ELGs) across all 7 areas of learning in the EYFS. For each ELG, teachers must assess whether a child is meeting the level of development expected at the end of the EYFS, or if they are not yet reaching this level and should be assessed as ‘emerging’. The Profile is intended to provide a reliable and accurate summative assessment of each child’s development at the end of the EYFS in order to support children’s successful transitions to year 1.

Key Stage One

The Key Stage 1 curriculum covers two years. - Year 1 and Year 2.

The phonics screening check is taken individually by all children in Year 1. It is a nationally required assessment which takes place in June.

It is designed to give teachers and parents information on how your child is progressing in phonics. It will help to identify whether your child needs additional support at this stage so that they do not fall behind in this vital early reading skill.

At the end of Key Stage 1, pupils will be assessed by the class teacher to see how they have achieved the objectives laid down in the National Curriculum. There will be formal assessments, which are set nationally, in reading, writing and maths (SATs); in other areas, including science, teachers will make their judgement based on evidence gathered throughout the year.

Key Stage Two

The Lower Key Stage 2 curriculum covers two years - Year 3 and 4. The Upper Key Stage 2 curriculum covers the last two years - Year 5 and 6.

The Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) is a Key Stage 2 assessment to be taken by children at the end of Year 4 (in June). The purpose of the MTC is to make sure the times tables knowledge is at the expected level. 

At the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will be formally assessed in reading, spelling, punctuation and grammar and mathematics. These assessments are set nationally and are sent away to be marked externally. Children are also teacher assessed on their writing skills.

Assessment across the Foundation Subjects 

At Barnfields, we have compiled extensive research to develop a comprehensive strategy for evaluating the knowledge acquired across our foundation subjects. Our curriculum is meticulously structured to ensure that students progressively 'know more and remember more.' Our assessment principles encapsulate the key elements we consider essential to this process.

Assessment practices are (but not entirely limited to): 

  • Interactions
  • Evidence of Learning 
  • Marking and Feedback
  • Retrieval Practice 
  • End of Unit Assessments 
  • Completion of final pieces of learning (e.g. such as art projects).