Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of the learning and teaching process. It provides schools with information with which to evaluate work and set suitable targets in order to advance the learning process. Assessment offers all pupils an opportunity to show what they know, understand and can do; and what they need to develop. It is then used to inform curriculum planning, the setting of children’s targets and the provision of resources. A commitment to Assessment for Learning (AfL) endorses the school’s participation in the Northern Ireland Curriculum and demonstrates an ethos in which the personalities, strengths and needs of children are considered and addressed individually.  

The assessment procedures used at SJB are set out in our Assessment Policy. Currently we make use of:   

• Discussions with individual children, groups and the class.   
• Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (Baseline assessment profiles).        
• Observations of children working.  
• Examining evidence of children’s work.
• Marking in adherence to the Marking Policy.       
• Levels of Progression.
• Whole school sampling and levelling to establish consistency of standards.        
• CBMD (Collegiate Book Monitoring Discussions).     
• Formal tests including standardised CAT4/PTE/ PTM/ assessments.       
• Star Maths/ Reading Assessments.
• Accelerated Reader/Freckle Maths performance tracking.       
• Diagnostic Christmas Assessments.       
• End of Key Stage Assessments.         
• Biannual completion of CEFR.         
• Curriculum Monitoring Programme assessments.       
• Bespoke Assessment tracking sheets for SEN/ Remedial Support pupils.  

Roundtable to Remedial Action Planning Process

The potential for data to inform planning, teaching and learning is something that is respected and fully appreciated in St John the Baptist. Roundtable to Remedial Action Planning outlines the process triggered once children undertake the PTE/PTM assessments as well as Christmas diagnostic assessments each year. The teachers are subsequently invited to a meeting with the principal, SENCO and Assessment Co-ordinator, at which the results are analysed in a collaborative discussion at individual pupil, learning group and whole class level. Key points agreed are then collated into a Remedial Action Plan completed by teachers which outline the steps that will be taken forward in relation to planning, teaching, movement of pupils between learning groups, meetings initiated with parents, remedial support being put in place for children etc.  

Curriculum Monitoring Programme

The Curriculum Monitoring Programme involves groups of pupils (at whole class or learning group level) being assessed on an ad hoc basis on agreed learning areas consistent with submitted plans or agreed in discussions between the principal, Numeracy/ Literacy co-ordinators and class teachers. The results lead to a roundtable discussion between the principal, Assessment co-ordinator and class teachers and have proven to be very useful as a means of monitoring progress, highlighting areas for development and pupils who are progressing well and those giving cause for concern.