Assessment is integral to high quality teaching and learning. It helps us to ensure that teaching is appropriate and that learners are making expected or better than expected progress.
 

For students:

• to provide information and feedback on their progress
• to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses
• to reflect upon and review their progress and that of others (self/peer assessment)
• to become actively involved in the learning process
• to achieve their potential through increased motivation
• to develop self-esteem through regular recording of their achievements

For parents:

• to provide clear, meaningful and reliable information on their child’s progress
• to strengthen the partnership between home and school

For the school:

• to raise standards
• to evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum provision
• to monitor the effectiveness of teaching and learning
• to identify strengths and weaknesses in student performance to inform planning
• to provide a full picture of a student’s achievements
• to identify pupils that are falling behind in their learning or need additional support
• to facilitate effective communication about progress between teacher, student and parent

Types of Assessment

Formative assessment – refers to the wide variety of methods teachers use to evaluate a student’s understanding and progress on a day-to-day basis (e.g. marking, questioning, etc). It helps teachers to identify the concepts that students are struggling to comprehend so that adjustments can be made to future lessons.

Summative assessment – used to evaluate student learning, skill acquisition and academic achievement at the conclusion of a defined period—typically at the end of a project, unit or school year. Generally speaking, summative assessments take the form of a test or project for which students receive a grade.

Teacher Assessment – At Goldington teachers are required to formally submit teacher assessment grades three times a year. These reflect the day-to-day (formative) assessments teachers make but may also be informed by the outcomes of summative assessment tasks.

Parent Consultation Evenings

During the school year there is also the opportunity for parents to attend a ‘Subject’ consultation evening. Parents then have the opportunity to meet their child’s subject teachers to discuss their progress.

Parents also have the opportunity to arrange a discussion with teachers, if it is required, following reports being sent home.

Additionally, parents are encouraged to contact the school, via the telephone or email, to discuss with the class teacher, the Head of Year or the Head Teacher their child’s progress, or any particular matter of concern, at any time during the school year. All staff email addresses are available on the school website.

Reporting to Parents

At Goldington detailed reports are sent to parents at the end of the academic year. Parents also receive two interim reports each year, which provide them with information about their child’s current attainment, behaviour and effort.