This one-day course is practical and skill-based. The focus is on the use of teacher assessment at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Participants are taught to use formative assessment as part of day-to-day teaching. The training includes understanding and applying Ofsted criteria, assessing using criterion referenced descriptors, identifying learning needs, lesson planning, using learning intentions and success criteria, target setting at group and individual pupil level, and effective marking techniques.

Participants are helped to:

• learn to assess pupil progress accurately using descriptors;
• understand and use assessment specific terminology;
• apply formative assessment techniques;
• understand practically the meaning of “high expectations” and the implications for classroom practice;
• see the link between lesson planning and day-to-day assessment;
• know how to provide constructive feedback and marking.

Session 1:

Statutory requirements and the quality of teaching

• The quality of the provision: making judgements

Initial considerations

• Using assessment to support learning
• Achievement and progress
• Evaluation
• Assessment
• Summative, criterion referenced, and formative assessment
• Basic assessment skills
• The link with teaching and learning
• Learning needs
• The holistic approach

Session 2

Assessing the work

• Working with the concept of best fit
• Fine-tune assessments
• High quality evidence

Assessing the pupil

• A range of work

National expectations

• Annual progress
• The progress of different ability groups

National expectations and pupil progress

• Using assessment to identify learning needs
• Profiling pupil progress using assessment criteria

Session 3

Using assessment in lessons

• Using summative assessment formatively
• Feedback techniques

Learning needs and lesson planning

• Identifying the learning needs of ability groups

Learning intentions and success criteria

• Involving pupils in establishing the success criteria
• Layering objectives

Session 4

Targets, target groups, target setting

• Reflecting on practice
• Identifying target groups

Marking for improvement

• Constructive marking
• Marking strategy
• What does the pupil understand
• Strategies for filling the gap and extending achievement
• Practical application

Tutor:

Bruce McAlpine has managed the Company for 18 years. He writes and develops training materials and tutors many of the courses. He was a full-time lead inspector for thirteen years. Before becoming an inspector, he taught in infant, primary and middle schools and was a headteacher for seventeen years. His specialist areas include English, mathematics, art, the Foundation Stage, educational management, special educational needs, and English as an additional language. We reserve the right to substitute the advertised tutor for another appropriately experienced tutor.

Feedback:

• “One of the strongest features of the training was the discussion-based approach and having the time to share ideas and good practice…A very informative and valuable day. Thank you”.
•  “Practical examples to work on as well as video footage to see in practice”.
• “Excellent facilitation so that ideas/ ways forward came from staff...excellent...very well matched to need”
• “I have gained a lot of useful knowledge to take back and use”
• “The chance to look at examples and see effective practice”.
• “Take away folder of notes will be very useful...thank you”.
• “Direct and focussed delivery. Good balance between group tasks and tutor led sessions”.
• “Gave same message to all staff in ‘teacher friendly’ language”.