Ofsted and the 2019 Framework: Paradigm Shift or Cosmetic Respray?

By RS Assessment from Hodder Education Comment Closed

In September 2019, the Ofsted inspection framework will change, but what does that mean for assessment?

Thanks to John Dabell, trained teacher and former Ofsted inspector, for the following article.

Although work is ongoing, and Ofsted is still preparing for the 2019 changes, there are some signs we can draw on which help shed some light on what the future holds.

Ofsted strategy: 2017-2022

Ofsted reminds us in it 2017-2022 strategy that everything it does is first and foremost to champion the interests of children and students, acting as a ‘force for improvement through intelligent, responsible and focused inspection and regulation.’  It also tells us that it is nimble and adaptable to change and does not have preferred styles of teaching. Continue reading →

New Pre-key Stage Standards: What schools need to know

By RS Assessment from Hodder Education Comment Closed

Thanks to Sarah Minty, Commissioning Editor for SEN at RS Assessment from Hodder Education, for the following article.

Following a government consultation on the Rochford Review, the pre-key stage standards, which have been in place for 2017/2018, are now final, after a review by teachers and other educational experts.

From summer 2019, teachers must use these pre-key stage standards to make statutory assessment judgements at the end of KS1 and KS2, for any pupils who are working below the national curriculum teacher assessment frameworks and above P scale 4. Continue reading →

Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision: green paper

By RS Assessment from Hodder Education Comment Closed

Between December 2017 and March 2018 the Department for Education and the Department of Health & Social Care held a public consultation on ‘Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision’.  The consultation received 2,700 responses and on 25th July 2018 the DfE published a green paper focusing on earlier intervention and prevention in schools.

 

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Reducing teacher workload

By RS Assessment from Hodder Education Comment Closed

On 21st July 2018, the DfE released advice and tools to help school leaders and teachers review and reduce workload.

 

Background – The workload challenge

In October 2014 the DfE launched the workload challenge, where teachers were asked to share their views on how to reduce unnecessary workload.  Over 44,000 people responded to the survey, highlighting 3 main areas that can cause unnecessary workload – marking, planning and data management.

Read a full summary of the workload challenge here.

 

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KS2 National Test Results 2018

By RS Assessment from Hodder Education Comment Closed

On 10th July 2018, the DfE published the results of the 2018 Key Stage 2 National Tests.

Summary of the 2018 results

  • 64% of pupils reached the expected standard in all of reading, writing and maths (combined).  This has increased from last year but remains below the floor standard of 65%.
  • The raw scores required to reach the expected standard have increased for all subjects.  The largest increase can be seen in maths, increasing from 57 in 2017 to 61 this year.
  • The average scaled score in reading has increased, while the scaled score in maths and GPS remains the same as last year.

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Multiplication tables check: update

By RS Assessment from Hodder Education Comment Closed

On 9th July 2018, the DfE released an update on the development of the multiplication tables check (MTC).

About the MTC

  • Between 10th June – 28th June 2019 a national voluntary pilot will be run to allow schools to familiarise themselves with the check before  it becomes statutory in June 2020.
  • Schools will have a 3- week window to administer the tests, and teachers have the flexibility to check individual children, small groups or a whole class at the same time.

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Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, talks about the curriculum and the relationship between Ofsted and data

By RS Assessment from Hodder Education Comment Closed

Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, delivered an insightful speech at the Wellington Festival of Education. So, we’ve picked out a handful of key points (particularly about the curriculum and the relationship between Ofsted and data) that we think you’ll find interesting ahead of next year…

 

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3 ways to reduce unnecessary workload with standardised tests

By RS Assessment from Hodder Education Comment Closed

Katie_Blainey_standardised_reduce_workloadPublishing Director, Katie Blainey, explores unnecessary workload and how using standardised tests can save you heaps of valuable time!

It may sound unintuitive that an increase in testing can ultimately reduce workload for teachers and increase pupils’ learning, but it is worth considering. Increasingly, primary schools, secondary schools and MATs are adopting standardised tests across the school to support informed teaching and save time. Here are just 3 reasons why…

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How have our Optional Tests helped Primary children and teachers?

By RS Assessment from Hodder Education Comment Closed

Optional_Tests_SATs_StyleAs the Summer term nears its end, our Assessment Publisher, Cerys Hadwin-Owen, takes the time to reflect on how using our Optional Tests this term has helped Primary children and teachers.

Our Optional Tests are written and edited by primary subject experts, many of whom have experience of working directly with the Department for Education on the current National Test papers. They have all been primary classroom teachers themselves, with many still holding teaching and leadership positions in schools across the country.

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