How we approach assessment at Broomfield.
Assessment is the engine which drives student learning.
John Cowan
Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning and is a continuous process. It is central to helping children make progress as it allows teachers to identify pupils’ strengths and identify next steps for learning and plan how to meet their learning needs.
At Broomfield, we use formative assessment every day to identify what the children have learned. Formative assessment is carried out informally by teachers in the course of their daily teaching through live marking at the point of teaching, talking to pupils and on-going observations. Children also undertake many self-assessment activities and use peer assessment to provide feedback to one another.
Reading, writing, maths and science
The National Curriculum requires that we assess children in the following way:
In Reading, Writing and Maths, children are assessed as being at the expected standard for their year group, working towards this standard or working at greater depth.
In Science, children are assessed as being at the expected standard for their year group or working towards this standard.
Summative assessment is used to provide evidence of a pupil’s achievement over a period of time and is carried out and recorded in a number of ways. We record a summative judgement – currently on Arbor 3 times per year at the end of each term. These judgements are teacher assessments and are informed in a number of ways such as progress in children’s work, observations of children and achievements in formal tests such as PiXL.
Assessment in the Early Years Foundation Stage
We baseline Reception children in the first few weeks as they start school and then assess them again at the end of their first year in Early Years Foundation.
Other Statutory Assessments
Children in Year 1 undertake a national phonics screening test and in Year 2 there is an additional phonics screening test for pupils who did not successfully attain the required standard at the end of Year 1. Children in Year 4 undertake a national multiplication test to establish their understanding and knowledge of multiplication facts. Children in Year 6 undertake the national statutory assessment tests (SATs) in May.
Assessment in the Foundation Subjects
At Broomfield, we believe that assessment is an essential tool for understanding and supporting our children’s’ progress. Our approach to assessment in the foundation subjects is detailed in the document linked below. It outlines our methods for tracking and monitoring progress and children’s retention of knowledge over time.
