Assessment at Oldfield Brow

At Oldfield Brow Primary School, we believe that assessment is an integral part of the learning journey. Effective assessment helps us to understand and celebrate what children know, can do and understand, whilst identifying the next steps that will enable them to thrive. Assessment is not simply about measuring attainment; it is about ensuring that every child feels valued, supported and empowered to achieve their full potential.

Through high-quality assessment practices, we develop a deep understanding of each child as a learner, enabling us to provide learning experiences that are ambitious, personalised and responsive. We want all children to develop confidence, resilience and a positive attitude towards learning, recognising their successes and understanding how they can continue to grow.

There are three main types of assessment used within school:

In-School Formative Assessment: This takes place throughout daily learning and enables teachers to identify what children know, understand and can do. Teachers use this information to adapt teaching, address misconceptions and provide timely support and challenge, ensuring that every child can make meaningful progress.

In-School Summative Assessment: Summative assessments take place at key points during the academic year and provide information about what children have learned over time. At Oldfield Brow, these assessments are used alongside teacher judgement to monitor progress, celebrate achievement and inform future planning.

National Statutory Assessments: Children also participate in statutory assessments at key stages throughout their primary education, including:

Reception Baseline Assessment
Phonics Screening Check
Multiplication Tables Check
Key Stage 2 assessments

These provide additional information about pupil attainment and help schools evaluate outcomes alongside national expectations.#

Our Principles of Assessment

At Oldfield Brow Primary School, we believe effective assessment:

Is rooted within high-quality teaching and learning.
Provides an accurate understanding of each child's strengths, achievements and next steps.
Supports every child to become a reflective, resilient and independent learner.
Ensures teaching is responsive to pupils' needs and promotes excellent progress.
Celebrates success while identifying opportunities for further development.
Promotes high aspirations for all children, regardless of starting point.
Supports inclusion and ensures every child is recognised, valued and able to succeed.
Helps children understand their own learning journey and take pride in their achievements.

Formative Assessment (Assessment for Learning)

Formative assessment is a vital part of everyday classroom practice at Oldfield Brow. It enables teachers to gather ongoing information about children's learning and make adjustments to teaching so that all pupils are supported and challenged appropriately. The main types of formative assessment in our school includes:

Questioning...

Why? To explore children's understanding, deepen thinking, identify misconceptions and guide next steps in learning.

Self and Peer Assessment...

Why? To encourage children to reflect on their learning, recognise their successes and identify how they can continue to improve. These opportunities help develop independence, resilience and responsibility.

In the moment feedback...

Why? To provide children with meaningful guidance that celebrates success while helping them understand how to move their learning forward. Effective feedback supports children to reflect, improve and achieve their best.

Summative Assessment (Assessment of Learning)

Summative assessments take place at key points throughout the academic year and provide information about children's learning over time.

These assessments help us to:

Recognise and celebrate what children have learned and inform tracking.
Identify gaps in knowledge, skills and understanding.
Inform future curriculum planning and teaching.
Ensure appropriate support and intervention is provided where needed.
Monitor progress and attainment across the curriculum.

By combining summative assessment information with teachers' ongoing knowledge of each child, we ensure that learning continues to build progressively and securely over time.

Reception Baseline Assessment and Early Years Assessment (EYFS)

At Oldfield Brow Primary School, we recognise that every child's learning journey begins long before they start school. Assessment within the Early Years Foundation Stage focuses on understanding each child's development and identifying how best to support them as they take their first steps in school life.

In line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework, children in Reception complete two statutory assessments:

The Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) during the first six weeks of school.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) at the end of Reception.

The Reception Baseline Assessment is a short, practical, one-to-one activity that provides a snapshot of children's early literacy, language and mathematical development. The assessment is used nationally to measure progress from Reception to the end of Key Stage 2.

Throughout the Reception year, staff carefully observe, interact with and assess children across all areas of learning. These ongoing assessments contribute to the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, which provides a holistic picture of each child's development and readiness for Year 1.

Children are assessed against the 17 Early Learning Goals and are judged as:

Expected – meeting the expected level of development.
Emerging – working towards the expected level of development.

Reception Baseline Assessment Information for Parents: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reception-baseline-assessment-information-for-parents

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check

The Phonics Screening Check is a statutory assessment completed by children in Year 1.

The purpose of the check is to assess children's ability to apply their phonics knowledge when reading words and pseudo-words. It provides valuable information about how effectively children are developing the early reading skills that underpin future success across the curriculum.

At Oldfield Brow, phonics is taught systematically and consistently. The check helps us identify any children who may benefit from additional support so that they can continue to develop as fluent and confident readers.

Parents and carers are provided with information about the assessment and ways to support phonics learning at home.

Year 1 Phonics Screening Information for Parents: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phonics-screening-check-information-for-parents

Multiplication Tables Check (Year 4)

The Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) is a statutory assessment for all pupils in Year 4.

The purpose of the check is to assess children's fluency in multiplication facts up to 12 × 12. Rapid recall of multiplication facts forms an important foundation for future mathematical learning and problem-solving.

The online assessment is completed during the summer term and consists of 25 multiplication questions. The check is designed to be quick, accessible and low pressure for pupils.

The information gained helps teachers identify children who may benefit from additional support, ensuring they are well prepared for the mathematical demands of Upper Key Stage 2.

Parents and carers will receive further information and guidance prior to the assessment window each year.

Multiplication Tables Check Information for Parents: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/multiplication-tables-check-information-for-parents

Year 6 Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Assessments

At the end of Key Stage 2, children complete statutory assessments in Reading, Mathematics and Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling. Teacher assessment also contributes to the evaluation of pupils' attainment. Writing is assessed over the year and assessed against national benchmarks.

These assessments provide information about children's learning at the end of primary school and help inform transition to secondary education. While these assessments are an important milestone, they form only one part of our understanding of each child.

At Oldfield Brow Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that every child leaves us as a confident, capable and successful learner, equipped with the knowledge, skills and personal qualities needed for the next stage of their education.