Best Practice

Assessment – what we know so far

Life after levels
Deciphering the new assessment and accountability requirements for primary schools is no small challenge. Camilla Erskine and Sue Walton discuss what is proposed and what it means for schools

The government has finally published its long-awaited response to the consultation on primary school assessment and accountability. The stated aims are two-fold. First, to “set high expectations so that all children can reach their potential and are well prepared for secondary school” so that no child is allowed to fall behind and second, “to celebrate the progress that pupils make in schools with more challenging intakes”.

However, a recent survey of 900 primary schools carried out by the trade association BESA, revealed that only 15 per cent of primary schools are currently planning to follow the government’s directive and abandon the traditional levels. And certainly the government’s proposals are confusing, and in many places contradictory. So let’s look at what is proposed and unravel what this means for schools.

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