How will my child’s learning be assessed?
Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning and pupils are continuously assessed in an informal way as part of the daily classroom routine. At other times standardised tests may be used to help teachers assess pupil progress and diagnose any learning difficulties and strengths.
In Newmains Primary School and Nursery Class both formative and summative assessments are used.
This use of FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT or assessment FOR learning is used to improve the learning which is taking place.
It involves:
- Sharing the learning intentions with the child
- Quality feedback from teachers and other pupils
- Ongoing review and reflection of progress being made
This ensures there is genuine partnership in the learning and teaching process, which raises attainment and self-esteem.
It is also necessary that assessment OF learning is also carried out.
This SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT will be used on a weekly basis when pupils are tested on spelling, maths or at the end of a unit of work and we can establish what a child knows and is able to do.
All parents will receive an official school report in May. Parents are welcome to discuss their child’s progress at other times. Those wishing to do so should contact the school to arrange a mutually suitable time.
There will be new ways of assessing each child’s progress to make sure that potential is achieved. New qualifications are being developed:-
- National 4 and 5 qualifications were introduced in 2013/2014
- Access, Highers and Advanced Highers are being updated to reflect Curriculum for Excellence
- New highers in most subjects were introduced in almost all North Lanarkshire schools in August 2014
In playrooms and classrooms staff will be using improved ways of assessing children’s learning taking account of national and local advice and guidance. Your child’s progress will be reported to you through report cards and parent interviews so that you know how well your child is doing.
