Assessment is means of obtaining information which allows teachers, pupils and parents to make professional judgements about progress. The starting point is the curriculum and the processes of learning and teaching. The main feature of assessment is that it enables teachers to determine what a pupil is actually learning in relation to the expectations of attainment and drawing conclusions from that comparison.

Understanding of assessment has progressed from a notion of regular summative approaches, through a period of more child-centred approaches via records of achievement, portfolios or achievements folders to a more comprehensive picture of what makes children progress. We need both summative and formative assessment because they both fill different, parallel purposes. The learning intention is the heart of formative assessment and needs to be made clear at the planning stage if teachers are to make formative assessment manageable.

On parent’s evenings, in November and March, we inform you of the results of our assessments, both formative and summative.

At the end of the session, in May or June, we issue a formal written report to you detailing your child’s strengths, the next steps to be taken in the Curriculum and any difficulties he or she may be experiencing.

We urge you to contact the school as early as possible if you have any cause for concern about your child’s school work, attitude or behaviour.

The earlier the contact the better.

Similarly if we have any cause for concern about your child, we will be in touch with you.