Skip to content ↓

Assessment​

​This page explains the way in which we assess our pupils at Bowes. It also contains information on the various statutory assessments that take place in primary schools. To support our parents, we run a number of workshops which provide detailed information on the statutory assessments and how you can help at home.

Please click the button below to access all the presentation slides.

Early Years Assessment

Children starting Reception participate in the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) within their first 6 weeks.

The purpose of the assessment is to provide the starting point for a new measure that will help parents understand how well schools support their pupils to progress between Reception and Year 6/the end of Key Stage 2.

Information for Parents regarding the Reception Baseline can be found by clicking this link.

Pupil attainment is measured throughout the EYFS using the Development Matters document which sites the expectation at each development (age) stage. The evidence we gather for assessment is tracked on Tapestry which can also be viewed and commented on by parents.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Assessment

Pupils in KS1 and KS2 are assessed using teacher judgement according to Periodic Assessment Tools based on the National Curriculum and age expectation. In KS2, pupils will also sit Statutory Assessment Tests.

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check?

What is the Phonics Screening Check?

The phonics screening check is a quick and easy check of your child’s phonics knowledge.  It helps the school confirm whether your child has made the expected progress.

The national phonics screening check was introduced in 2012 to all Year 1 children in the country. It is a short, statutory assessment to ensure that children are making sufficient progress in the phonics skills to read words and are on track to become fluent readers who can enjoy reading for pleasure and for learning.

When will the phonics screening take place?

In 2024, the check will take place during the week commencing Monday 10th June 2024.

How does the check work?

Your child will sit with a teacher and will be asked to read 40 words aloud. The test normally takes a few minutes. If your child is struggling the teacher will stop the check. The check is carefully designed not to be stressful for your child.

The check consists of a list of 40 words, half real words and half nonsense words, the nonsense words will be shown to your child with a picture of an alien. This not only makes the check a bit more fun, but provides the children with a context for the nonsense word which is independent from any existing vocabulary they may have.

Why Pseudowords/non- words / nonsense words / alien words?

Non-words are important to include as they can’t be read using their vocabulary or from memory; they have to use their decoding skills. This is a fair way to assess all children’s ability to decode.

After the check

We will inform you on your child’s progress towards the end of the Summer term. Children who have not met the standard will retake the check when they are in Year 2.
All children are individuals and all develop at different rates. The screening check ensures that teachers understand which children need extra help with phonic decoding.

In Year One, pupils are expected to participate in a Phonics Screening Check to test their phonic ability. Pupils are asked to read the sounds of forty written strings of letters. Collated results for the school are published nationally. Parents are also informed of their child's score and whether they reached the pass mark. If pupils do not reach the pass mark in Year One, then they are expected to re-take the phonics test in Year Two.

End of KS1 National Curriculum Tests (Optional)

At the end of KS1 (Year 2) it is optional for pupils to sit a number of National Curriculum Tests, which are taken in May. If the tests are taken, teachers use the outcome of these tests, together with the work the children have produced across the Key Stage, to form a teacher assessment judgement for the subjects Reading, Writing and Maths. 

Should the tests take place, please see the table below for information regarding each subject. Please note that these are not 'formal' tests and the materials will only be used to inform teacher judgement.

KS1 SATs taken throughout May

English Reading Test

Paper One: Short Text and questions (approx. 30 minutes)

Paper Two: Longer text with separate questions (approx. 30 minutes)

English Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Test

Paper One: Spelling Test (approx. 15 minutes)

Paper Two: Questions (approx. 20 minutes)

Mathematics

Paper One: Arithmetic Test (approx. 25 minutes)

Paper Two: Reasoning Test (approx. 35 minutes)

 

Year 4 Multiplication Check

All primary school - aged children are expected to know their multiplication facts up to 12 x 12. They are expected to have a fast recall of these multiplication and corresponding division facts.

Children in Year 4 sit an online Multiplication Check in the Summer Term. The children will take the test on their Chromebook in school.

At Bowes, we provide the children with a variety of dynamic and fun approaches to learning their times tables, working in close partnership with parents to prepare them for the test.

Please click this link for information regarding the Multiplication Tables Check.

End of KS2 Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs)

At the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6) pupils sit a number of Statutory Assessment Tests, which are taken in May. The test papers are sent off and marked externally. Tests are taken on the following subjects:

  • English - Reading
  • English - Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling
  • Maths

English - writing is assessed internally by the class teachers who use a idea range of work that the children have produced throughout KS2. The test marks are normally returned to school in early July and are reported to parents and nationally.

Please see the table below for information regarding the tests that take place from Monday 13th May 2024 to Thursday 16th May 2024.

Date

Test

Monday 13th May 2024

English - Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (papers 1 and 2)

Tuesday 14th May 2024

English - Reading

Wednesday 15th May 2024

Mathematics (papers 1 and 2)

Thursday 16th May 2024

Mathematics (paper 3)