Assessment

The Dolphin School believes that effective assessment provides information to improve teaching and learning. We give learners regular feedback on their learning so that they understand what it is that they are doing well at and what they need to work on next. This allows us to base our teaching on a detailed knowledge of each pupil.

Staff and children at The Dolphin School use assessment as an integral tool for day to day effective teaching and learning.  It is used by children to help them talk about what they have learned and what they might need to learn next. Teachers use assessment to create purposeful learning experiences to build on prior learning, target teaching to the needs of individuals and to measure achievement and progress over time. This is a continuous cycle that informs so much of what we do. Assessment can take many forms and ranges from ‘formal’ strategies such written work, photos, tests or observations to more ‘informal’ strategies such as verbal or written feedback during lessons.

Each year we have two meetings between families and teachers and two written reports which discuss attainment and progress. We operate an open door policy and welcome families to come and speak to staff if they have any questions about their children's learning. We regularly hold meetings about different aspects of the curriculum and ways which you can support your children. 

At the end of Reception, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, we assess pupils' learning and report this formally following government guidelines.

In Early Years, this is based upon the continuous observations of pupils’ achievements across the year. Pupils need to be secure in a range of areas to have achieved a ‘Good Level of Development’.

In Year 2, testing informs teacher assessment in reading and mathematics. Writing is wholly assessed by the teachers and this is moderated internally, across our trust schools and beyond to ensure that assessment is accurate.

In term 5 of Year 6, pupils complete their End of Key Stage assessments. Reading, mathematics and GPS (Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling) are assessed by formal testing. Pupils are prepared throughout the year for these tests and have lots of practise.

Access arrangements for pupils with additional needs are also available, which may include additional time, readers or scribes.

Writing is assessed through teacher assessment and is moderated internally as well as with other schools witin and beyond our trust to ensure that assessments are accurate.