Assessment is an essential part of the learning process. It helps teachers to understand what their pupils know and can do, identify areas for improvement, and track pupil progress over time.
By incorporating a variety of assessment strategies, primary school teachers can gain a comprehensive understanding of their pupils’ strengths, weaknesses, and learning needs. This information can be used to tailor instruction, provide effective feedback, and promote continuous learning and growth for all pupils.
Direct observation involves watching students work in class to assess their understanding of concepts, their ability to apply skills, and their engagement in learning activities. Teachers can record their observations and identify areas for further support or enrichment. This type of assessment doesn’t need to be confined to EYFS. It can be really effective higher up the school too.
Questioning is an essential tool for assessing students’ comprehension and identifying misconceptions. Teachers can use a variety of questioning techniques, such as open-ended questions, probing questions, and clarifying questions, to gauge students’ understanding and encourage them to think critically. You’ve probably already seen the question matrix, which identifies different types of questions, from the simplest to the most challenging. However, don’t think of this as being ‘bad to good’. A range of different question types, depending on context and what you want to get out of the session, is best.
Self-assessment involves students evaluating their own progress and performance. Self-assessment helps students develop metacognitive skills, such as self-awareness, goal-setting, and self-evaluation. A more nuanced self-assessment than a standard RAG rating can be a very effective tool for UKS2 and secondary school pupils. Perhaps try a rating out of five, with clear descriptors.
Peer assessment involves students evaluating each other’s work. This can be done through pair or group work. Peer assessment helps students develop communication skills, collaboration skills, and the ability to provide constructive feedback. Providing pupils with a clear set of descriptors to work from – or even a mark scheme for older pupils – will enable their feedback to be most helpful to their peers.
Technology can be used to enhance assessment in a variety of ways. Online quizzes, interactive simulations, and adaptive learning platforms can provide real-time feedback and personalise instruction based on student needs. Ensure, though, that it’s not ‘tech for the sake of tech’. The content is the most important thing.
Assessment plays a crucial role in the Ofsted inspection framework. Ofsted inspectors will assess how schools and early years settings plan, deliver and evaluate their teaching and learning, with a particular focus on assessment for learning. They will expect to see that all schools and early years settings are using AfL effectively.
By using a range of assessment methods, providing clear and actionable feedback, and using assessment data to inform teaching and learning, schools and early years settings can demonstrate that they are meeting the high standards expected by Ofsted.
Explore the various meanings of assessment, and how it manifests within the Ofsted Inspection Framework. This CPD course for primary school teachers and leaders looks at assessment in reading, writing, maths and beyond and provides proven strategies to link assessment into the curriculum.