1. Using the P Scales launch conferences 2009 Richard Byers University of Cambridge Faculty of Education

2. P scales – background P Scales – differentiated performance criteria. Provide descriptions outlining learning and attainment leading to National Curriculum Level 1. For use with pupils of school age with a range of special educational needs.

3. P scales – background Originally to support school target setting in English, maths, PSD where pupils have SEN – data gathering voluntary (DfEE, 1998). Revised and extended to all N.C. subject areas with guidance to support assessment, recording, reporting (QCA/DfEE, 2001).

4. P scales – background Performance descriptions intended for use in the same way as the level descriptions of the National Curriculum. Teachers should make rounded judgements about their pupils attainment to apply a best fit judgement.

5. P scales – background Relaunched as target setting tool (DfEE/QCA, 2001). Revised and relaunched with guidance on Using the P Scales at P4 to P8 only (QCA, 2005). Now incorporated into National Curriculum and schools must provide data.

6. P scales – background Planning, Teaching and Assessing the Curriculum for Pupils with Learning Difficulties updated for 2009. Re-launched with revised (2005) versions of P scales (QCA, 2009)

7. P scales – background Using the P Scales also re-launched (QCA, 2009). Guidance booklet updated to reflect latest guidance and levels P1 to P3. DVD augmented with 12 video case studies for pupils working at P1 to P3 and new teacher commentaries.

8. P scales – P4 to P8: focus on skills, knowledge and understanding recognise new gains, consolidated or generalised learning reveal progress that is clearly related to subject

9. P scales – P4 to P8: Descriptions at P4 to P8 are different in each subject – with separate elements for speaking and listening, reading and writing in English and for using and applying mathematics, number and shape, space and measures in mathematics.

10. P scales – P4 to P8: Arguably, it is possible to describe performance in a way that indicates the emergence of subject-focused skills, knowledge and understanding at these levels between P4 and P8. The descriptions provide an example of how this can be done.

11. P scales – P4 to P8: Additionally, each of the scales in English and mathematics has three differentiated descriptions within each of Levels 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum, termed 1C, 1B, 1A and 2C, 2B and 2A.

12. Example – P6 in using and applying mathematics: P6 Pupils sort objects and materials according to given criteria. They begin to identify when an object is different and does not belong to given categories. They sort simple patterns or sequences, for example, a pattern of large and small cups, or a drumbeat.