We assess children formally and informally at St John’s.  This assessment provides the class teachers with valuable information to help them plan appropriate work; to set short and longer term targets to move children forward in their learning; and to enable them to give feedback to both children and parents/carers about attainment and progress.  

Ongoing assessment and feedback

The ‘AFL’ approach is an ongoing process which permeates all areas of the curriculum- with every lesson having a clear learning intention linked to the year group standard.

• Even from an early age, children have the opportunity for self and peer evaluation and are encouraged to reflect on their own learning and consider their own next steps. 
• In the majority of lessons, the children will have immediate and simple feedback from an adult on whether they have achieved the learning intention.
• The adults in the classroom work very closely to support children while they complete work and the teacher chooses key points throughout a child’s learning journey to offer more in-depth feedback and targets for further improvement. This feedback is of most value when it is given orally 1:1 and the teacher can model the next steps for improvement to the child.
• In older classes, the feedback from an adult may be oral or written.

Formal testing and Summative Assessments

• Children will not complete formal tests until the summer term of year 1 and will then be tested once a term in maths, reading and gps. The results of any tests are considered together with the ongoing teacher assessment, and the resulting judgements are carefully considered to ensure that children's progress is consistently good and to help teachers identify any need for further intervention or support.
• Children’s writing will be moderated once a term against the age related standards and a summative judgement will be made.

Grading- Assessment ‘speak’

• In all subject areas, in all KS 1 and KS 2 classes, we grade children as:
• Working below the year group standard: A child is not fully accessing their year group curriculum. They may achieve some of the standards but they are working at a level below that of their peers. If this is the case, the class teacher will contact parents to discuss extra support that is required.
• Working towards the year group standard. A child is working within the expected year group curriculum but they are not achieving ALL the standards and will require some support.
• Working at the expected year group standard A child is achieving ALL age related expectations.
• Working at Greater Depth within the year group standard. A child in achieving ALL age related expectations consistently and is working at a greater depth than is expected for their age. They work independently, accurately and precisely. They can apply what they’ve learned in one area of a subject to other areas and can explain and use their knowledge consistently, confidently and fluently.
• These are the descriptors that teachers will use when discussing your child’s attainment with you and when reporting to you at the end of the year. Staff are always more than happy to provide detailed explanations of their grading to you and to highlight which standards you can support your child with at home.

Statutory Assessment

Phonics screening

In June, Year 1 children complete the statutory Phonics Screening Check. An information evening for parents/carers will take place before the end of term 1 to outline the details of this screening check, including the process of the check and how it is scored, and to give parents/carers information to allow them to support with the preparation for this. Any child who does not reach the expected phonics standard in year 1, will resit the test in year 2.

Key stage 1 Sats

At the end of Year 2 (May), children sit Statutory end of Key stage 1 Tests (SATs). These tests are administered by the class teachers in the classroom in a low-stress, low-key way; some children won't even be aware they've taken them! The results of the SATs tests are considered together with the ongoing teacher assessment to issue a child with an end of Key Stage 1 Assessment result. An information evening for parents/carers will take place before the end of term 1 to outline the details of this statutory assessment, including the process of the tests and how they are used, and to give parents/carers information to allow them to support with the preparation for the tests at home.

Key Stage 2 Sats

At the end of Year 6 (May), children sit Statutory end of Key stage 2 Tests (SATs). These tests are administered under strict guidelines and are sent away immediately to be marked externally. The results of the SATs tests are returned to the school in July and are reported to parents in written reports as ‘end of key stage 2’ Assessment results. An information evening for parents/carers will take place before the end of term 1 to outline the details of this statutory assessment, including the process/dates of the tests, and to give parents/carers information to allow them to support with the preparation for the tests at home.