In the summer term of 2016, children in Year 6 will be the first to take the new Y6 TEST papers. These tests in English (SPaG and Reading) and maths will reflect the new national curriculum, and are intended to be more rigorous. There will also be a completely new marking scheme to replace the existing national curriculum levels.

Key Changes No more levels. Introduction of scaled score. Only one set of tests to be taken by all Y6s. No mental maths – replaced by arithmetic test. New (interim) assessment framework. Children will effectively be judged as either being at their age expectation or not. New ‘value added’ score.

Reading The reading test will be a single paper with questions based on three passages of text. The child will have one hour, including reading time, to complete the test. Key changes: -Greater focus on fictional texts. -Greater focus on comprehension. -Texts increase in difficulty. -Not required to read whole text prior to answering.

Response: Y6 need a real push on comprehension, particularly of fiction texts, and this will be reflected in an increased number of GR sessions, and directed focus within them towards comprehension. Making use of the CGP Taster books within class, to run alongside those books purchased by parents, and use these books to give focus to future planning. Mock tests – looking at exam technique and expectations. Along with taking these tests and this being fed back into planning.

SPaG The grammar, punctuation and spelling test will consist of two parts: a grammar and punctuation paper requiring short answers, lasting 45 minutes, and an spelling test of 20 words, lasting around 15 minutes. Key Changes: -Greater expectation of knowing and applying grammatical terminology. -Test full range of punctuation being tested. -Technical terms from new NC specifically being tested. -New NC spelling patterns and methodologies being tested. -No contextual items.

Response Specific focus on grammar and punctuation as the appear in the new NC within booster classes, interventions and within class. Again making use of the CGP Taster books within class, to run alongside those books purchased by parents, and use these books to give focus to future planning. Again mock tests – looking at exam technique and expectations. Along with taking these tests and this being fed back into planning.

Maths Children will sit three papers in maths: * Paper 1: arithmetic, 30 minutes Papers 2 and 3: reasoning, 40 minutes per paper Key Changes -Replacement of mental maths with arithmetic -Explicit testing of methods set out in NC e.g. Long division, long multiplication. -Much more focus on applying.

Response Focus on written arithmetic in booster and intervention classes, and within class. Focus on techniques and methodology. Y6s have CGP revision booklet to work through. This runs alongside the booster sessions with Mrs K – something which I will continue. Use of ‘Mastery’ tasks to push children’s explanation, application and reasoning abilities.

Results Children will receive a ‘raw score’ giving their marks for each test. Children will also receive a ‘scaled score’ confirming whether they met or are below the national expected standard. There will also be a ‘value added’ measure which will be based on a national average of children’s previous scores to current scores. The average across the school will determine the school’s progress score.