Assessment and Progression

Assessment at Blaenbaglan Primary School has three main purposes:

1. To support pupils’ day-to-day learning through verbal and written feedback.
2. To track individual progress over time through termly assessments and monitoring against the progression steps.
3. To evaluate the progress of groups and inform teaching through pupil progress meetings, teaching triads, lesson observations, book reviews and listening to learners.

Assessment helps us identify each pupil’s strengths, achievements, areas for development and next steps. We consider not only what pupils have learned, but also how they learn. Assessment for Learning strategies encourage pupils to reflect on their progress, think critically and develop the skills needed to become lifelong learners. Parents and carers are kept informed through annual reports and meetings with class teachers.

Assessment is an integral part of our curriculum and classroom practice. The principles of progression guide curriculum design, teaching and learning, helping us provide a curriculum tailored to every child. Pupils in Years 2 to 6 also complete personalised reading and numeracy assessments during the summer term. These contribute to our wider assessment arrangements and help pupils, families and staff understand each learner’s progress and next steps.

We support pupils carefully as they enter primary school and later move to secondary school. Staff work closely with other cluster primary schools and Ysgol Bae Baglan to maintain a shared approach across the 3 to 16 curriculum, underpinned by the four purposes. Transition information provides a holistic picture of each pupil’s progress, needs and well-being. Pupil voice is central to this process, particularly when identifying possible barriers to learning.

Strong communication with parents and carers helps us build positive relationships and create an effective link between home and school. Staff and governors are committed to developing a shared understanding of progression through regular consultation and curriculum review. This informs our assessment, planning, self-evaluation and ongoing school improvement.