Transfer 2014

Department of Education Guidance

Current provision in Oakgrove IPS As your child enters Key Stage Two (Primary 5-7) in Oakgrove IPS they are set for both Literacy and Numeracy lessons each day. Your child was set at the beginning of Primary 5 based on their end of Key Stage One assessment results and their teachers’ observations. This has allowed your child to continue to achieve their full individual potential and maintain their self-esteem by providing them with work which is challenging but also set for their ability level. As part of our aim of promoting high achievement and learning for life for all children we feel this is the best way for catering for all of your children’s needs. The set which your child has been placed in has been monitored by teachers on an ongoing basis through class observations, the use of levels and end of year assessments.

RED SET (Mr. McKernan’s English) NEW (2012/13) LEVEL 3 AND 4 WORK GREEN SET (Mr Mc Gurk’s English) NEW(2012/13) LEVEL 2 AND 3 WORK For example: Writing a story with adjectives, similes, metaphors, dialogue and an anti-climax ending. For example: Writing a story with beginning, middle and an end with capital letters and full stops.

RED SET (Mr McGurk’s Maths) NEW(2012/13) LEVEL 3 AND 4 WORK GREEN SET (Mr. McKernan’s. Maths) NEW (2012/13) LEVEL 2 AND 3 WORK For example: I can use tenths and hundredths as decimals and work out percentages. For example: I know my times tables up to 10 x 10.

How do we ensure children are challenged? Each year the children do a variety of assessments. They are then analysed by the class teacher and School Management Team to track their progress e.g. NameCATProgress in English Progress in Maths Spelling quotient Joe Bloggs P Joe Bloggs P

Assessment Levels Level Descriptors

Levels of Progression

The Oakgrove Way So each year with teachers knowing what level children are, they can ensure: Work set is at an appropriate level for your child Work set is challenging your child Your child is progressing The school is performing in line with Northern Ireland expectation The children are also levelled each year. Teachers set targets for each child in their class. This is used to target individual children, groups and classes for extra challenge and support. Maths levels NamesCAT T(A)TATATATA Jane Bloggs1131+2(2+)

Curriculum Provision In order to provide the best for all children in P6/P7 we : Set all children into appropriate level teaching groups for Maths and English. Give appropriately challenging homework for each child according to their ability and needs Encourage use of the P6 and P7 areas of the school website, which now provides excellent resources, to stretch and challenge children in Maths and English as well as other areas across the curriculum in a fun and interactive manner e.g. Mathletics In the Curriculum Area Share with parents new assessment levels and discuss ways parents can continue to support their children.

Post Primary School Transfer Arrangements Most of our children transfer to Oakgrove Integrated College which is inclusive and all ability. Currently their criteria guarantees a place for our children if they name the College as their first preference. Admissions criteria for all post primary schools are available from WELB and directly from each school. Many Grammar schools operate tests unregulated and unapproved by the Dept Of Education to select children. Primary schools are forbidden to teach to these tests.

Time frame for Transfer Open nights for Post Primary schools.P6 / P7 children can attend January / February 2013 / Parents now need to consider which Post Primary school they wish for their child. Further information can be obtained from each school. P6 Oakgrove Children attend familiarisation days at Oakgrove College. Parents may attend transfer meeting with Principal in February Transfer forms completed and forwarded to WELB by Primary School. P7 participate in Post Primary transition activities in school from April 2014 (eg.. Discussing timetables, school maps, organisation of personal belongings, uniforms etc..) WELB informs parents which school their child will transfer to at the end of May Post Primary schools arrange induction days in June P7 children graduate from Oakgrove Primary with a ‘Record of Achievement’ assembly in June 2014.