March 2016

Why assessment without levels? Levels were designed for the previous National

Curriculum.

Teachers taught to level descriptors, not the curriculum.

Teachers focused heavily on pupils approaching a threshold.

Levels encouraged pace over progression – pressure to ‘move up’ a level

The’Best Fit’ model meant that children of very different abilities may be on the same level.

Parents didn’t understand the levels

The new National Curriculum is split up into age-related

programmes of study. Each programme of study is designed

to be studied in increasing depth. Children should not be

moved onto the next programme of study but continue to

explore their age appropriate programme through a wide

range of approaches.

Some children won’t be able to access their age related

programme of study and will be following their own

individualised programme of study.

This will only be a small minority of children; those who

cannot access the age related programme of study even with

quality first teaching and classroom differentiation.

The content of the New Curriculum is much more challenging than the previous curriculum. Floor standards (minimum % of pupils reaching ‘expected levels’ in a school) is 65% for 2016.

2015 2016

Pupil work was a ‘best fit’ for each level

Pupil work must be a ‘secure fit’ of each standard

Teacher assessment at KS2 could be submitted as ‘exceeding’ -i.e. Level 5a/6

Teacher assessment at KS2 can only be submitted as ‘expected’, even if the work is ‘at greater depth’, apart from in writing.

National expectation - 2b at KS1 4b at KS2

National Expectation - Working at the expected standard 2a at KS1 (OLD NC LEVELS) 5c at KS2

ARPS 2015 results below

2b reading 88% 4b reading 87% 2a reading 79% 5c reading 60%

2b writing 80% 4b writing 87% 2a writing 40% 5c writing 42%

2b maths 93% 4b maths 82% 2a maths 74% 5c maths 49%

We have sample tests available similar to 2016 live tests, with sample mark schemes.

A description of pupil performance at the national standard is included in the test framework.

The sample tests will be used as practice tests prior to pupils taking the live tests and will be used in school before Easter to give us a benchmark.

For copies of the Interim Assessment Framework go to www.go.uk/government/publications

Each test will be marked in the usual way and a raw score of points accrued will be totalled e.g. 40/50 marks. This would be the total ‘mark’ but will not be reported.

Raw scores in the test will be converted to scaled scores. Outcomes of the tests at the end of KS1 and KS2 will be

reported in scaled scores. The ‘expected standard’ will always be set at 100. This

will provide a benchmark. The ‘raw score’ that equates to 100 might be different

each year. Pupils who score 100 or more will have met the ‘expected

standard’. Pupils who score below 100 will not have met the

‘expected standard’. This is not a standardised aged score.

2016

Monday 9th May Tuesday 10th May

Wednesday 11th May

Thursday 12th May

Reading test 60 minutes 50 marks

English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary test 45 minutes 50 marks Spelling Test 15 minutes 20 words 20 marks

Maths Paper 1 Arithmetic 30 minutes 30 questions 40 marks Maths Paper 2 Reasoning 40 minutes 35 marks

Maths Paper 3 Reasoning 40 minutes 35 marks

English reading

Greater focus on fictional texts.

English grammar, punctuation and spelling

Greater focus on knowing and applying grammatical terminology with the full range of punctuation tested.

Technical terms in grammar tested –these are listed in the framework.

MUCH greater emphasis on spelling.

Spelling patterns and methodologies form the basis of spellings tested. Lists of spelling patterns are available.

Writing

Writing attainment is now based SOLELY on teacher assessment.

KS2 Test results of reading, SPAG and mathematics – 4 classifications

Not working towards the expected standard Working towards the expected standard Working at the expected standard Working at greater depth within the expected standard.

KS2 interim frameworks for Teacher Assessment

For TA of reading, SPAG, mathematics and science – 2 classifications

Working towards the expected standard Working at the expected standard

For English TA writing - 4 classifications: Not working towards the expected standard Working towards the expected standard Working at the expected standard Working at greater depth within the expected standard

Teachers need to judge a pupil demonstrates attainment of all statements within a standard and all the statements in the preceding standard(s).

KS2 Writing Interim Teaching Assessment Standards

3 – 4 texts (not linked by theme); 50 marks

1800 – 2300 words in total

Least demanding text first

One hour to read and complete

Weighted towards retrieving information and making inferences

Multiple choice, ranking, find and copy, short response and open-ended response

Paper 1 - Grammar, punctuation and vocabulary (45 mins) ◦ 48 questions; 50 marks

◦ Mainly multiple choice or short answers

Paper 2 – Spellings (15 mins)

20 spellings from the Year 3/4/5/6 word

list ?

Mathematics

Mental mathematics test removed.

Arithmetic test introduced to assess basic mathematical calculations. Pupils will need to work quickly and recall of number bonds and times tables will be advantageous.

No contextualised questions in the arithmetic paper.

Questions will cover:

◦ straightforward addition and subtraction – worth 1 mark

◦ more complex calculations with fractions – worth 1 mark

◦ long divisions and long multiplications – worth 2 marks

3 papers ◦ 1. Arithmetic 35 - 38 questions, 40 marks available, 30 minutes

◦ 2. Reasoning

20 questions, 35 marks, 40 minutes

◦ 3. Reasoning 20 questions, 35 marks, 40 minutes

Questions increase in difficulty

Introduced to help ensure pupils master the basics in mathematics

Every pupil will be expected to know their multiplication tables up to 12x12

On-screen check will be piloted in summer 2016 with approx. 3000 pupils in 80 primary schools.

It will be rolled out nationally in 2017.

2016

Test window

The new KS1 tests are to be administered in May 2016 only (19 day window because of the holidays

English reading

2 papers: 1 with text and questions combined.

1 more challenging text with the questions in a separate booklet.

All pupils should be given the opportunity to sit both papers.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling

Emphasis on technical aspects of grammar.

More emphasis on spelling. Separate spelling test.

There WILL NO LONGER be English writing test. This will rely solely on teacher assessment and moderation across schools.

Mathematics

New arithmetic test introduced. A grid format will now be on the test papers.

No manipulative allowed in maths tests.

Test Component Description No. of marks Approx. timing of paper

Spelling, punctuation and grammar

Paper 1 Spelling

Spelling 20 words

20 15 mins

Paper 2 questions

Grammar, punctuation and vocabulary

20 20 mins

TOTAL 40

Reading Paper 1 Reading test

Reading booklet with reading questions and answer space combined

20 30 mins

Paper 2 Reading booklet with separate answer book

20 40 mins

TOTAL

40 70 mins

Test Component Description No. of marks Approx. timing of paper

Maths Paper 1 Arithmetic

Assesses pupil confidence and fluency with numbers, place value and counting

25 20 mins

Paper 2 Mathematical reasoning

Mathematical fluency, solving problems and reasoning

35 35 mins

TOTAL

60 55 mins

For English reading, writing and maths there are 4 classifications:

Not working towards the expected standard Working towards the expected standard Working at the expected standard Working at greater depth within the expected standard.

For science, there is one standard (working at the expected standard).

Teachers need to judge a pupil demonstrates attainment of all statements within a standard and all the statements in the preceding standard(s) to be awarded the standard.

2 texts (not linked by theme)

Least demanding first – an integrated reading and answer booklet – 400- 700 words

Recommended timing 30 minutes

Second test comprises a selection of texts and a separate answer booklet – 800-1100 words

Recommended timing 40 minutes

Weighted towards retrieving information and making inferences

Multiple choice, ranking, find and copy and short response

Paper 1 -

Spelling 20 words

Children required to complete sentences by recording target words

15 minutes

Paper 2 –

Grammar, punctuation and vocabulary (20 mins)

2 papers ◦ 1. Arithmetic

◦ 2. Reasoning

Questions increase in difficulty

Changes are happening on a weekly basis.

We’ll keep you updated of anything important.

If we don’t know the answers, we’ll try to find out for you.