Assessment at Long Bay Primary

At Long Bay Primary we believe assessment information must be meaningful and used to help improve educational outcomes for our children. A child's assessment information is NOT a secret - we believe it is vital that children, parents and teachers have a clear understanding of learning needs and strengths and the capacity to set relevant learning goals for the future together, based on high quality assessment information. It is important that the data we collect is meaningful and shows not only where the child is at now, but also where he/she has come from and where to next.

At Long Bay Primary we are committed to adding value to each child's learning through high quality teaching and learning programmes - demonstrating this through thoughtful and meaningful data collection and analysis.

Different Forms of Assessment

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is actively practised in classrooms at Long Bay Primary School. The emphasis is on children receiving high quality feedback and feed forward information that helps them to better understand their own learning needs and strengths and to set goals for continuous improvement. This information is sometimes written, but it is also often verbal – encouraging children to engage in active and meaningful ‘learning conversations' with their peers and their teachers. For more information on formative assessment, please click here.

Diagnostic Assessment

Teachers use different diagnostic tools to assess children's prior knowledge in curriculum areas to identify where children are at currently with their learning/understanding and what gaps there are that need to be planned for. These often take the form of ‘pre-tests' or ‘before views' to see what children know or have experienced already. All teachers use Numeracy Project diagnostic tools.

Summative Assessment

A six week report is written for each new entrant child after his/her first six weeks at Long Bay Primary. The report comments on each child's progress to date in numeracy and literacy and his/her social and co-operative skills. Parent interviews will take place mid term one, at the end of term two and as requested by parent or teacher throughout the year.

Each child will receive an annual mid year and end of year progress report. This is a summative report on his/her progress to date against school wide and national expectations. The report is also used formatively as a basis for future goal setting.

Self Review

Class and Syndicate Reviews: These are undertaken throughout the year. Data about student achievement is gathered, analysed and discussed in depth on a regular basis and formalised school wide at beginning, mid and end of year. Specific learning needs and trends are identified across syndicates and specific actions put into place to address these. Successful teaching strategies are shared and opportunities for sharing of best practice are capitalised on.

School wide Review of Achievement Data: Information from class and syndicate reviews feeds into a school wide review at beginning, mid and end of year. School wide trends are highlighted, achievement targets set and professional development/resourcing needs are identified. Student achievement information is presented regularly to the Board of Trustees.

Curriculum Review

Essential learning areas of the national curriculum (English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and PE, The Arts and Technology) are reviewed according to the self-review timetable in the school's strategic plan. Information about curriculum delivery, professional development needs and assessment data in the targeted area is collected and analysed to construct an action plan, which is then implemented and reported throughout and at the end of the implementation process.

Special Programmes

Class teachers plan and implement teaching programmes to meet the needs of the children in their classes. A variety of different learning styles are catered for and children have opportunities to work individually, with partners, in group situations and in whole class situations. Most children meet expected levels of achievement and behaviour.

There are children who benefit from additional programmes and these could be either for extra support or to extend learning in specific areas. Identification of these children comes from a variety of sources including the results of assessments, observations, discussion with parents and teachers’ knowledge of the child.

For a more detailed overview of the Special Programmes available at Long Bay Primary, click here.

Reporting to Parents

Each Term formal reporting to parents takes place:

• Term 1: Parent/Teacher interviews (Week 5);
• Term 2: Written report and formal parent/teacher interview to discuss the report and to set future goals;
• Term 3: Parent/teacher interviews as requested;
• Term 4: Written report

Our open door policy encourages parents to see their child's teacher regularly. It may be wise to make an appointment time to discuss any concerns. The best way to do this is via email.