Early years foundation stage profile: 2018 handbook

By RS Assessment from Hodder Education Comment Closed

On 18th December 2017, the DfE released the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Handbook to support EYFS practitioners in making accurate judgements about each child’s attainment in 2018.

The EYFS Profile Handbook gives:

  • the child’s attainment in relation to the 17 early learning goal (ELG) descriptors.
  • a short narrative describing the child’s 3 characteristics of effective learning.

Summary of the EYFS Profile:

  • The EYFS Profile is not intended to be used for ongoing assessment.
  • Practitioner’s assessments are primarily based on observing children’s daily activities, in particular learning spontaneously, independents and consistently to understand their level of attainment, interests and learning styles.

Continue reading →

Justine Greening releases statement on primary education

By Nellie Perrin Comment Closed

Justine Greening has released a statement on primary education which outlines a number of decisions and initiatives that will be taken forward by the Department for Education over this academic year and beyond. Here’s a quick summary of the key information.

Continue reading →

What we know – and don’t know – about primary assessment

By RS Assessment from Hodder EducationNo Comments

Thanks to deputy headteacher Michael Tidd for this article

No sooner have we finished one set of Key Stage assessments, than attention inevitably turns to the next lot! But things are a little different this year. We’ve had minor tweaks before, of course, but usually with a little more notice. Summer 2016 is looking to be rather different.

So, what do we know for certain – and what still remains unanswered?

Early Years

We know…

Schools have been volunteering to trial Reception Baseline Assessments, which will take place for the first time in 2015. Most schools are likely to take part from 2016 when the EYFS profile becomes optional, although in theory there’s no compulsion to use a baseline at all. However, schools who don’t use one will find themselves being judged purely on attainment in 2022 – which is not as far away as it seems.

We don’t yet know…

How the outcomes of the tests will be compared, with schools completing one of several completely different tests (of which the DfE are still yet to confirm the final approved list).

Key Stage 1

We know…

The phonics test remains in Year 1, and for those who do not reach the required standard again in Year 2.

The big changes are in Year 2 where a new grammar test will be introduced alongside new versions of the reading and maths tests. All of these will produce a scaled score instead of a level outcome. Teacher Assessment will still be required for all those areas as well as speaking & listening and science. Continue reading →

The new reception baseline assessment

The new reception baseline assessment

By Helen NelsonNo Comments

A new Reception baseline assessment is being introduced from September 2015. It is intended to help assess school effectiveness by providing a score for each pupil at the start of Reception. This score will then be used as the basis for an accountability measure of the relative progress of a cohort of pupils through primary school.

Continue reading →