Elaine Radley Principal School Improvement Adviser, Primary schools

1. Elaine Radley Principal School Improvement Adviser, Primary schools

2. Setting the Scene Assessing Pupil Progress is part of Quality First teaching It will be a National priority. Participating in this pilot offers schools and the LA an opportunity to work collaboratively, to focus on developing assessment and planning, which will enhance the experience of all learners. It will build teachers capacity to assess and plan for quality first teaching for all pupils.

3. Setting the Scene It is an opportunity to develop teachers ability to assess effectively and to develop a picture of pupil progress over the year, equipping teachers to accurately enter pupils for the single level tests. This will have an impact on existing KS2/3 transition issues. There will be no new optional tests as with effective APP there will be no need for these! The Children and Young People Plan includes a commitment to introduce single level tests in Dec 2009.

7. Overview and Principles of APP The aim of APP is to maximise the progress of all pupils through giving teachers a deeper understanding of where children are within a level against a set of key criteria. This information is then used to plan appropriate learning opportunities. Each teacher must select a small representative sample of pupils. This could be across a range of ability, or using data to identify particular groups. This should support existing identified priorities in the SDP.

8. Overview and Principles of APP These pupils are assessed periodically (3 times a year.) The reader/writer/mathematician is assessed, through a wide range of planned assessment opportunities across a range of subjects. Levelling and moderation of that levelling within and between schools to develop a shared and uniform understanding of a level is important. �

9. Dispelling Myths APP is not about portfolios of pupil�s work! APP is not a �bolt on� but an integral part of the assessment procedure. APP is about broadening assessment away from individual pieces of work. APP will support schools to take an informed view of single level test entries. Schools need to take a professional view in considering the size of the group to assess when using the APP materials in the first instance: from sensible implementation to scale up.

10. Dispelling Myths APP goes beyond just assessing the obvious/weaker AFS. APP can be used to diagnose gaps in pupil learning. Using APP criteria will inform tailored, targeted teaching.

11. What We are Trying to Achieve for Schools The pilot will support schools to be fully prepared to make teacher assessment judgements through enabling them to: Introduce and support APP through building upon existing practice in their school; Understand and use the assessment foci and standards files; Know what provides good evidence and how to collect it; Develop a shared understanding of �levelness�. �

12. What we are Trying to Achieve as an LA A clear understanding of schools� support needs in a variety of contexts and settings. Identification and sharing of examples of good practice. To develop school based ambassadors for APP, who are able to articulate the challenges and barriers and their overall commitment. �

13. What�s in it for Schools? Improving Quality and Consistency of teacher assessment. Free support! Improved Outcomes for all pupils but especially those who are underachieving. Networking opportunities with other schools. Heads up on APP. Being Prepared for single level tests.

14. Expectations of Schools To attend all core APP training events. To identify an APP lead, who where possible has responsibility for Num or Lit. This lead must have the capacity and support to drive the pilot in school. That APP features in SDP. That Governors are on board. Commitment to involve a significant number of teachers across KS2. Commitment to collaborative working alongside SIS staff � this will include monitoring of the impact of the work in school.

15. Expectations of Schools That they attend moderation meetings with other schools. Within school professional development time is allocated for the APP pilot project. PDMs devoted to APP. There is an expectation that these will be school-led following core training. Sharing practice, possibly through video clips of discussions and the APP process, written case study. Releasing staff to plan/ support in the county CPD for APP.

16. What LA support will there be? See hand out.

17. Plenary Our ultimate aim is to develop diagnostic assessment through APP so that it becomes part of the culture and practice of the whole school, where collaborative moderation is seen as a powerful tool in personalising the curriculum.

18. Next Steps Schools to confirm commitment to participate to Elaine Radley by Thursday May 22nd. An appropriate range of schools will then be selected.