Assessment and Feedback

At Spring Meadow Primary School we believe that effective assessment provides information to improve teaching and learning. To do this in our school, we undertake two different but complementary types of assessment: 

• Assessment for Learning (AfL).
• Assessment of Learning (AoL). 

AfL-Assessment for Learning (formative assessment) involves the use of assessment in the classroom to raise pupil achievement. It is based on the idea that pupils will improve most if they understand the aim of their learning, where they are in relation to this aim, and how they can achieve this aim (i.e. to close the gap in their knowledge). 

AoL-Assessment of learning (summative assessment) involves judging pupils' performance against national standards. Teachers may make these judgements at the end of a unit of work, of a year, or of a key stage. Results of statutory and non-statutory assessments and tests, also give an indication of pupil performance. This may be recorded in the form of raw scores, standardised outcomes in relation to age or banding/levels. 

We give our pupils regular feedback on their learning so that they understand what it is that they need to do better. All adults are involved in this process. Research has shown that pupil involvement in the review process raises standards, and that it empowers pupils to take action towards improving their performance.  

Teachers will use summative and formative feedback to identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge and skills, the extent to which they can apply them and how well they progress within age-related expectations. 

At all times, the use of assessment at Spring Meadow will denote how well pupils have mastered the curriculum they have been taught.