Life without levels
- 1. Presentation to Parents July 2015
- 2. 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.
- 3. 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.
- 4. 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.
- 5. 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.
- 6. 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.
- 7. 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.
- 8. Maths Within the areas of number and calculation in Year 1 Children should be able to: Count to 120 and back to 0. Count, read and write numbers to 100 including in words. To count in 2’s, 5’s and 10’s. To know number bond facts to 20. They need to be able to recall them to 10 mentally. To read, write and solve addition and subtraction sums with 1 and 2 digit numbers. Solve problems that involve addition and subtraction for example; 7 = – 9. To solve problems that involve multiplication and division. For example; If I have 12 grapes and I share them between 4 children how many will each one get.
- 9. Within the area of Fractions in Year 1 Children should be able to: Recognise, find and name a half as one of two equal parts of an object, shape or quantity Recognise, find and name a quarter as one of four equal parts of an object, shape or quantity. Within the area of shape space and measures: To be able to tell the time to half an hour and be able to draw the hands on a clock. To measure and compare weight, length, capacity and time. To understand language relation to dates including days and months. In order to meet this objective children will need to be able to say the full date: Thursday 15th January. They will also need to have a concept of the future including events in 2 weeks time.
- 10. English Use phonics in reading to decode words. To know the different sounds and their alternative sounds. For example: a – has many different sounds like acorn, bath, was. Read accurately by blending sounds in unfamiliar words. To read Tricky words. To read words with –s, –es, –ing, –ed, –er and –est endings read words with contractions for example: I’m, I’ll, we’ll. Reread these books to build up their fluency and confidence in word reading
- 11. To retell stories. To be able to answer questions on fiction, non-fiction and poems. To get information from the text. To interpret information. For example; The boy put on his hat, gloves and scarf. Why did he put on those clothes? To understand the features of books including the front cover and the blurb.
- 12. Writing Use adjectives in writing. Write sentences independently. Write stories with a simple structure. Form letters correctly. Use connectives and time connectives. Use full stops, capital letters and finger spaces.
- 13. 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.
- 14. 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.