A Parents’ Guide to supporting your child’s learning at Dŵr y Felin

Aim To outline tracking system at Dŵr y Felin To outline target setting at Dŵr y Felin To outline Cognitive Ability Test Data To provide you with information about Literacy and Numeracy To explain strategies to support your child's learning (revision)

Data Key Stage 2 National Reading and Numeracy Tests Internal teacher assessments ALN Attendance

Cognitive Abilities Test A standardised assessment that helps identify pupils’ strengths, weaknesses and learning preferences, providing accurate, reliable and objective assessment data that is essential to the shaping of an individual’s learning.

Cognitive Abilities Test CATs measures the three principle areas of reasoning – verbal, non-verbal and quantitative Rich data provided by CATs gives a comprehensive profile of pupils’ reasoning abilities, producing standardised scores for each of the three abilities.

Cognitive Abilities Test This data can be used to build an understanding of an individual’s potential and learning style and to inform the development of effective teaching and learning programmes and interventions.

Cognitive Abilities Test Standardised Scores Each pupil has a score for each of the tests These are calculated based on their raw score and their age at the time of the test 100 is the expected level for pupils Pupils achieving over 115 have a strength in this area Pupils achieving less than 85 may need additional support in this area

Cognitive Abilities Test Target setting We use the results of the CATs tests in conjunction with key stage 2 data, national test data and knowledge of the individual pupils to set targets for the end of key stage 3.

Cognitive Abilities Test Tracking Registration Gender Attendance FSM SEN Looked After EAL KS 2 English KS2 Maths KS2 Science KS2 Welsh CATs Non-Verbal CATs Quantitative CATs Verbal CATs Mean Yr 6 National Reading Test Yr 6 National Numeracy Test 7FF96.2NA

Key Stage 3 Reports Interim Reports End of Year Reports

Key Stage 3 Reports

Interim Report End of Key Stage 3 Targets Level 5 is the current national expectation X Y Z In addition: Behaviour Effort Grades A - E

Literacy and Numeracy Framework A parents’ guide

Literacy and Numeracy Framework

Literacy - Writing

Numeracy

Literacy and Numeracy Framework The LNF has been introduced by the Welsh Government to raise standards in learners’ literacy and numeracy skills

Within literacy the strands are: oracy across the curriculum reading across the curriculum writing across the curriculum. Within numeracy the strands are: developing numerical reasoning using number skills using measuring skills using data skills

Tests Pupils will be tested week beginning 5 th May. 3 tests Numeracy Reasoning Numeracy Procedural Reading School exams will take place w/b 16 th June 2014.

How will the tests be administered? All tests will take place in the theatre or hall. The pupils will sit at individual exam desks. The exams will be administered and supervised by exam invigilators.

Numeracy Procedural Pupils are expected to write their answers within the boxes provided

Numeracy Reasoning Numerical reasoning will require literacy and numeracy skills. The questions are context based and will be presented via a power point presentation

Reading (Literacy) If the pupils highlight more than four words then the answer is marked incorrect

How can you help your child in Numeracy? Learn all formulae The best way of doing this by using the look - cover – write - check technique Practise methods Look at a question, work out the answer and then check if it is correct. Pupils need to practise all multiplication tables. Tests are non-calculator The more non-calculator questions your child can practise the better.

How can you help your child in Literacy? Read with your child Welsh Government suggests 10 minutes per day will increase pupils’ performance. Discuss what has been read with your child – Sequence the events/topics in the text – Ask them to find a word with the same meaning as … – Ask for explanations about content – Encourage pupils to give opinions.

Revision Provide a suitable revision environment:- Remove all distractions e.g. mobile phones, access to the internet (except for revision websites) TV, playstations etc. Ideally a year 7 pupil will require constant support with revision but, if this is not possible, check on progress at regular intervals.

Revision Literacy and Numeracy Tests We suggest that a year 7 pupil should start revising at least 2 weeks before the tests. (21 st April) They should revise for two periods of 15 minutes per night. One slot for literacy and one slot for numeracy.

Revision Summer Exams Year 7 pupils should start revising for the summer exams (at the latest) on Monday 2 nd June. Pupils should revise two subjects a night for 15 minutes each subject. A revision timetable is essential

Revision Timetable

Revision Techniques Learning Styles – Visual / Kinaesthetic / Auditory Mind Mapping – colour / diagrams

Revision Techniques Learning Styles – Visual / Kinaesthetic / Auditory Mind Mapping – colour / diagrams Mnemonics Using a voice recorder Using ‘post-it’ notes Using prompt cards Practise sample questions Simply reading over notes repeatedly, is not a good revision strategy when used on its own.

Equipment Ensure pupils have the required basic stationery:- Black pens (and at least one spare) Pencils Rubber Ruler Sharpener

Revision Materials BBC Bitesize website School books. School website – – Maths revision worksheets – Last year’s numeracy and literacy test. – BKSB – Pupils who receive reading support can access Rapid Plus website.

The School Website The school website is To access the resources on the website pupils have to login using their school login (the one they use for IT) The school website contains a wealth of information that pupils can use at home.

BSKB BKSB is a web-based computer package that can help your child to improve their numeracy and literacy skills at home. It will test the skills of pupils at all levels and provide support for areas of concern.

BKSB BKSB is accessible at home via the school website. Step 1 – Step 2 – Scroll down to BKSB logo Step 3 – Log in using their own details

This is the Dŵr y Felin BKSB homepage.

An example of a Maths question Pupils type their answer in here – it is then marked.

An example of an English question

Every pupil’s progress is individually monitored

How will we inform you of your child's progress? Numeracy and literacy reports from the Welsh Assembly Government. You will see last year’s and this year’s results on the scale. This will show progression made.

How will the results be reported back to you? Year 7 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 1 st May – 5 minute appointments with every subject teacher. – Please remember to sign in. Interim Report at the end of the spring term End of year full report which will be distributed at the end of the summer term

What next? CATs data available at the end of the presentation This presentation will be available on the school website Good luck!