Attainment and Performance Support

NATIONAL STATUTORY TESTING SYSTEM

So that we can fairly assess the progress and attainment standards of pupils, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) instructs schools to conduct statutory assessments and tests at various points during their education. This framework allows progress and standards to be compared nationally across all geographies.

Early Years (pre-school)

Foundation Stage Profile
Conducted by assessment at the end of the reception year
13 different learning areas are assessed

Primary Age

Key Stage 1 (5-7 Years of age)
Assessments of attainment are conducted when pupils are aged 7, at the end of Year 2.
Core subjects assessed are reading, writing and mathematics

Key Stage 2
Testing of attainment is conducted when pupils are aged 11, at the end of Year 6.
Core subjects tested are English (broken into reading and writing), mathematics and science.

Secondary Age

Key Stage 3 (11-14 Years of age)
Assessments of attainment are conducted when pupils are aged 14, at the end of Year 9.
Core subjects tested are English (broken into reading and writing), mathematics and science

Key Stage 4
Measured by level 2 qualifications issued by accredited national exam bodies
Includes GCSEs, GNVQ and Btech qualifications

Key Stage 5
Measured by level 3 qualifications issued by accredited national exam bodies
Includes A and AS level, NVQ and Btech qualifications

Where to find schools' results

 

The nationally reported results of individual schools are available to members of the public via the DfES School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables website.

Individual schools have a duty to report pupil results and progress to parents and guardians. The LA will not divulge these results under any circumstance.

School Ofsted Reports, which will include an account of attainment standards achieved at a particular school, are available from the Ofsted website.

 

Helplines

 

Longcar Professional Development Centre
Telephone: 01226 281961

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
Telephone: 020 7509 5556 (general enquiries number)

 

Opening Times/Locations

 

Longcar Professional Development Centre is open between 9.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

 

Legislation

 

There are many Acts of Parliament and Regulations which affect the work of schools and LEA School Improvement Services.

 

Websites

 

DfES School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables
Ofsted Inspection Reports

DfES 'First Release Statistics' (recently published information on attainment, often containing local authority comparison information

 

Owner Officer Contact Details

 

School Improvement Adviser for Assessment
Longcar Professional Development Centre
Longcar Lane
Barnsley
S70 6BB

Telephone: 01226 281961

Alternatively, you can contact the Principal Adviser: Primary or the Principal Adviser: Secondary on the same number.

 

Related Links:

• DfES
• Ofsted
• National Curriculum Online
• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Last modified on 15/9/2008