Orchard Primary SchoolLife without Levels

Presentation to ParentsJuly 2015

New National Curriculum came into force from September 2014.

Expectations are much higher than previously.

Children at the end of Year 4 are now expected to be working at a similar standard to the end of Year 5 under the previous curriculum.

Revised National Curriculum Expectations

Levels are no longer to be reported with the exception of Year 2 and Year 6 in July 2015.

However Year 2 will also receive notification of their children’s attainment under the new curriculum expectations.

Assessment

Children are assessed formally and informally through the course of their lessons and activities each day.

Assessment is used to inform the next stage of learning.

This is called ‘Teacher Assessment’ and tracks the attainment of the children throughout the school year.

Teacher Assessment

From next year, there are new SATS tests for both Year 2 and Year 6 which are significantly higher in their expectation of the children.

We will be using rigorous end of year testing in the non-SATS year groups as well.

Test Assessment

We are reporting your child’s attainment according to ‘Year Group Related Expectations’. Attainment in each of the subjects will be indicated as shown below.

YEAR GROUP EXPECTATIONS

N Working below expectations for the year group.B Beginning to work at the expectations for the year group.D Developing within the expectations for the year group.S Secure in the expectations for the year group.E Exceeding the expectations for the year group.

New Expectations

There is no direct correlation between the old system of levels and the new curriculum.

However in approximate terms children in Year 6 who previously would be expected to be level 4b to be deemed average/secure, will now be expected to perform at an equivalent of an old level 5.

Expectations are higher in every year group.

Old Levels v New Expectations

Counting in 3,4,8 50 and 100. Compare read and write numbers to at least

1000 in numerals and words. Count up in down in tenths and to be able to

write both fractions and decimals. Solve number problems and practical

problems involving these ideas – comprehending the skills.

Tell and write time from an analogue clock including using Roman numerals for I to XII, and 12 hour and 24 hour clocks.

Example of higher expectations- Year 3

Spelling – with set word lists stated in the curriculum that must be learnt.

Handwriting – with a focus on all children becoming speedy and fluent writers.

Proof reading and editing skills – there is a greater focus on children reading their own work and spotting mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar along with being able to edit and improve their own work independently.

Example of higher expectations- Year 3

A big part of the new curriculum for reading is about reading widely and frequently, not just for learning but also for pleasure.

Discussing authors word choices and techniques to engage the readerKnowing and performing poems as part of a group and individual performances Being increasingly familiar with a wide range of stories and themes. (Myths and legends, fairy stories, classical authors and graphic novels).

Example of higher expectations- Year 3

Some children are not able to access the curriculum for their year group in one or more subjects.

These are reported as N. Class teachers will be able to inform you as to the curriculum expectations that your child is working at.

N- Working Below

One major change with the disappearance of levels is that when challenging the more able learners, there is an emphasis on breadth of learning and deepening learning by using and applying their knowledge and skills.

The expectation is that these children will develop a deeper and fuller understanding of the curriculum Year Group Expectations.

Exceeding

Thank you for

listening.