On 30th March 2017, the Department for Education launched consultations on the future of assessment in primary schools and on assessing primary school children working below the standard of the national tests.
Interim Teacher Assessment Frameworks for 2017
The interim frameworks are to support teachers in making robust and accurate judgements for pupils at the end of key stage 2 in 2017. The interim teacher assessment frameworks are for 2016 to 2017 only. The Department for Education is evaluating options for future years.
Primary school progress measures – information for parents
The DfE has produced a handy flyer to summarise the primary school progress measures. Schools may wish to share this leaflet with parents.
Children to sit multiplication tables check from 2019
Appearing before the Education Select Committee on Wednesday 22nd February, Schools Minister Nick Gibb confirmed that the times table check will go ahead in 2018-2019.
Access arrangements guidance and videos
The DfE has published guidance for key stage 2 access arrangements. This includes three videos which demonstrate how to apply for early opening, additional time and timetable variations.
Education Select Committee – Primary Education Inquiry
In the first evidence session, held in December 2016, the Committee heard from teachers on the impact of primary assessment on teaching, learning and well being.
The second evidence session, held on 18th January 2017, focused on accountability measures, including the reliability of data, and the impact of assessment, as well as the design of the new tests and potential alternative assessment systems.
Timelines for schools
The Department for Education has released updated Spring term 2017 timelines to help headteachers, principals and governors plan for the term and academic year ahead.
Primary School Performance Tables
Achievements of pupils in state-funded primary schools in England have now been published.
Just 5 per cent of primary schools have been announced as being below the floor standard. Schools are considered under-performing if fewer than 65 per cent of pupils fail to reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, or if they fail to make sufficient progress in these three key areas.
Tennyson Road Primary, Luton
This year’s key stage 2 results paint a national picture of schools struggling to deal with the demands of a tough new curriculum. Just 53 per cent of 11-year-olds reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2016, a drop from 80 per cent in 2015. But the performance tables reveal that some primaries are coping with the challenge better than others. Continue reading →
Preparing for the mathematics tests at KS1 and KS2
The STA has released guidance to help schools to prepare for the administration of the 2017 mathematics national curriculum tests at KS1 and KS2.