1. KS1 Assessment Information for Parents 21st February 2017
Welcome

2. Educational assessment is the process of documenting, usually in measurable terms, knowledge and skills. It is a tool or method of obtaining information from tests or other sources about the achievement or abilities of individuals.

3. Assessment of all pupils
Daily formative assessment;
Formal assessments at the end of each term.
The individual assessments are then discussed in Pupil Progress Meetings held termly where the Headteacher and classteacher meet.
Book looks support judgements;
Identify next steps, gaps in learning and pupils who need extra support. Interventions are put in place. The effectiveness of interventions already in place is reviewed and alternative steps taken if necessary.

4. KS1 reporting to parents
Teacher Assessment judgements in English reading, English writing, mathematics and science are reported at the end of KS1. The judgements are based on a broad range of evidence from across the curriculum and knowledge of how a pupil has performed over time and in a variety of contexts. It is carried out as part of teaching and learning.
TA is the only data used in school performance accountability at the end of KS1.

5. KS1 reporting to parents
KS1 English reading, English writing and mathematics - teacher assessment is the primary outcome used for accountability.
The frameworks contain 3 standards
working towards the expected standard
working at the expected standard
working at greater depth within the expected standard
With the additional category of
pupils that do not meet the ‘working towards’ standard.
KS1 science
The framework contains 1 standard
pupils that do not meet the standard.

6. To help teachers make their assessments, the children are required to take the following tests:
KS1 Tests
English reading
Paper 1 – combined reading prompt and answer booklet
Paper 2 reading booklet & answer booklet
Mathematics
Paper 1 – Arithmetic
Paper 2 – Reasoning
English grammar, punctuation and spelling (OPTIONAL)
KS1 tests are internally marked by teachers using supplied mark schemes. Consistency in marking for all pupils is essential.

7. Test Administration
Schools must administer the KS1 tests in English reading and mathematics during May The tests do not have set days for their administration, and they may be administered to groups of pupils on different days. Pupils must only be allowed to take each test once.
Packs with test papers enclosed should only be opened in the test room immediately before the administration of the tests for the first time.
KS1 tests are marked internally by schools using the mark schemes available on NCA tools from Tuesday 2 May. The content of the mark schemes must not be used to prepare pupils for the tests.
Marking requires a teacher’s professional judgement about which responses are correct. The tests must not be marked by a teaching assistant or higher level teaching assistant
Maladministration – overaiding, reading the reading test, inaccurate marking
Security of test materials

8. Participation in the tests
The tests are designed to be used with all pupils.
There will be some pupils who will be working below the ‘expected standard’ of the test, but who should still take the tests.
There will be some pupils who are assessed as working below the standard of the tests and who should not take the tests.
The Headteacher makes the final decision about who should take the tests.

9. KS1 assessments
Tests are used to inform/support teachers in making their overall assessment.
Teacher assessments are reported to the LA, the DfE and parents.
There is no requirement to report test results to parents.

10. KS1 English reading test (40 marks)
Mixture of genres – unrelated texts which increase in level of difficulty. Great emphasis on comprehension
2 papers – both must be administered to all pupils
Paper 1 – selection of texts (400 – 700 words) interspersed with questions (approx 30 mins) (20 marks)
Paper 2 – separate booklets – text (800 – 1100 words) and answer (approx 40 mins). (20 marks)
Not strictly timed as ability to work at pace is not part of assessment.

11. KS1 maths tests There are 2 mathematics papers:
Paper 1: arithmetic – 20 minutes but not strictly timed
Paper 2: reasoning minutes but not strictly timed
Paper 1: arithmetic assesses pupils’ fluency in the fundamentals of mathematics, including place value, calculations and fractions. Some questions have grids in the answer or working out spaces. Grids are provided with questions where pupils may benefit from using more formal methods for calculations.
Paper 2: reasoning assesses pupils’ mathematical fluency by demonstrating their ability to solve problems and reason mathematically. The paper includes 5 aural questions. After the aural questions, the time for the remainder of the paper should be around 30 minutes.

12. Optional English grammar, punctuation and spelling test
As in 2016, schools can choose whether to administer the English grammar, punctuation and spelling test and use the results to inform their English writing Teacher Assessment.
The optional English grammar, punctuation and spelling test has an emphasis on technical aspects of grammar. There are 2 papers:
Paper 1: spelling
Paper 2: questions
Paper 1: spelling consists of a test transcript to be read by the test administrator and an answer booklet for pupils to complete 20 missing words.
Paper 2: questions is a combined question and answer booklet focusing on pupils’ knowledge of grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. There are no contextualised questions in the test. About 20 minutes – not strictly timed.
Show gps curriculum

13. Writing Assessment
Writing composition – can they write for different purposes, at length, use different types of sentences, use tenses correctly, use Standard English, a range of conjunctions, expanded noun phrases etc
GP – full stops, capital letters, !, ?, commas in lists, apostrophes
Spelling – no dispensation for children with dyslexia or spelling difficulties
Handwriting – cursive, letters correct in size and orientation in relation to each other, upper and lower case.
A child does not need to demonstrate attainment against the statements for Handwriting if they are reaching the expected standard but they do need to be able to demonstrate this attainment to be awarded the greater depth standard.
Spelling lists

14. Moderation of Teacher Assessment
Teachers have to submit their assessments by the end of June.
External moderation is statutory. It gives confidence that schools’ teacher assessment judgements are accurate and consistent with national standards.
Schools must moderate with other local schools.
The Local Authority must moderate 25% of its schools.
All moderations will be heavily focussed on book/work scrutiny.

15. What can I do to help my child?
Daily reading for pleasure
Daily reading for practice
Daily reading opportunities
Practice of multiplication tables
Look for maths/writing opportunities
We do not put any pressure on the children
Ensure rested and relaxed