Assessment

At the end of Key Stage One (during P4) and at the end of Key Stage Two (during P7) Statutory Assessment will take place when each pupil’s Level of Attainment will be recorded.  These results will be available after the completion of Assessment Units in English and Mathematics combined with the Class Teachers’ assessment and moderated by the Curriculum Council for Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).   Parents will receive results from the school before the end of the Summer term.

Reporting to Parents

Each child’s progress will be monitored continuously throughout the year.

In September parents receive a plan detailing Parent/Teacher contact and the monitoring of each child’s progress.  Parents are invited to a Parent Information Evening during early September when information will be given regarding the curriculum and classroom organisation for P1-P6.  P7 Parent/Teacher interviews take place in October.

In November progress interviews take place with P1-P6 parents.  Results of Incas (computerised diagnostic test) will be discussed with parents at this meeting.

 The end of year Annual Report for each pupil is distributed by the end of May.  Parents have the opportunity to comment on the progress being made by their child and to request a further Parent/Teacher interview.

Assessment for Learning within the Revised Curriculum

Pupils will be encouraged to become more actively involved in their own learning process.  Assessment will be a key part of the on going learning process rather than an end product.  Hence the title Assessment for Learning as opposed to Assessment of Learning.

How do teachers assess children?

A varied range of assessment techniques will be used as an integral part of the learning and teaching process, not just at the end of a lesson or topic.  Teachers select techniques that best suit the nature of the work being assessed and the purpose of the assessment at the particular time for example:

·        Observation

·        Class discussion

·        Oral, written, visual presentations or physical demonstrations

·        Independent or group tasks

·        Project work

·        Homework

·        Diagnostic and/or standardised tests

Evidence from these activities helps teachers:

·        Identify strengths and areas for improvement

·        Plan the next stage of learning

·        Make summative judgements at a particular point in time, for example, at the end of a topic, unit of work or the end of each year.

We wish parents to know that if they have concerns at any time, they should please contact the Secretary who will liaise with the Head of the Department or the Class Teacher to arrange a convenient time to meet to discuss their child’s progress.