Helping every child learn, grow and let their light shine
At Mawnan CE VA Primary School, we believe that every child is unique, with their own God-given gifts, strengths and potential. Assessment plays an important part in helping us understand each child's learning, celebrate their achievements and identify the support and challenge they need to flourish.
Our approach to assessment is rooted in our commitment to providing an exceptional education for every child. We recognise that children learn and develop at different rates, and that assessment should support learning rather than simply measure it.
We use assessment thoughtfully to ensure that our teaching is responsive, inclusive and ambitious for all learners.
Assessment is an ongoing part of teaching and learning at Mawnan School. Teachers use a range of approaches to understand what children know, remember and can do.
Every day, teachers assess children's understanding through:
Questioning and classroom discussions.
Observations of children during learning.
Reviewing children's work.
Quizzes and opportunities to revisit previous learning.
Practical activities and demonstrations of understanding.
Feedback and conversations with individual children.
This information helps teachers identify misconceptions, adapt teaching, provide additional support and offer appropriate challenge.
We want children to develop confidence in recognising their own achievements and understanding what they need to do next.
Alongside ongoing classroom assessment, we use more formal assessments at appropriate points throughout the year.
These help us to:
Understand how securely children have learned important knowledge and skills.
Identify gaps in learning.
Monitor progress over time.
Evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and additional support.
Plan appropriate next steps for individuals, groups and classes.
Depending on the year group and subject, assessments may include standardised tests, teacher assessments and reviews of children's work.
Assessment information is considered alongside teachers' professional knowledge of each child. No single test or assessment tells the whole story of a child's learning.
Throughout their time at Mawnan School, children are taught and assessed against the expectations of the National Curriculum for their year group.
We recognise that children develop at different rates and may need different approaches to help them succeed.
When discussing attainment with parents and carers, we may use the following descriptions:
| Assessment | What it means |
|---|---|
| Working Below | Your child is currently working below the expectations for their year group. |
| Working Towards | Your child is developing the knowledge and skills needed to meet the expected standard. |
| Expected Standard | Your child is securely meeting the expectations for their year group. |
| Greater Depth | Your child demonstrates particularly secure understanding and can apply their learning with greater depth and independence. |
These descriptions help us communicate attainment, but they do not define a child's ability or potential.
We believe in providing opportunities for children to deepen and apply their understanding rather than simply moving them on to content from the next year group.
For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), assessment also recognises individual starting points, personalised learning goals and the progress made towards them.
In our Reception class, assessment is an integral part of children's everyday experiences and play.
Our Early Years staff get to know each child through warm relationships, careful observation, purposeful interactions and conversations with families.
Assessment helps us understand children's interests, development and learning needs so that we can plan meaningful experiences that support their progress.
During the first six weeks of Reception, children complete the statutory Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA).
This is a short, practical and age-appropriate assessment of early literacy, communication and mathematics. It is not a pass-or-fail test, and children do not need to prepare for it.
At the end of Reception, teachers complete the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP).
Children's development is assessed against the 17 Early Learning Goals. For each goal, children are assessed as either meeting the expected level of development or not yet meeting it.
This information is shared with parents and carers and supports a positive transition into Year 1.
During their primary education, children take part in a number of statutory assessments required by the Department for Education.
These provide information about children's attainment at important stages of their education.
Children in Year 1 complete the statutory Phonics Screening Check in June.
The check helps teachers understand how effectively children can use their phonics knowledge to decode and read words.
Children read a mixture of real words and unfamiliar pseudo-words with a familiar adult.
The check is delivered in a supportive and reassuring way. Children who do not meet the required standard receive additional support and normally take the check again in Year 2.
Children in Year 2 continue to be assessed through their everyday learning and teachers' professional judgements.
National Curriculum tests at the end of Key Stage 1 are no longer statutory.
Schools may choose to use optional assessment materials to support their understanding of children's attainment and progress.
At Mawnan, our priority is ensuring that assessment provides meaningful information to support children's next steps as they move into Key Stage 2.
Children in Year 4 complete the statutory Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) in June.
This online assessment checks children's fluency in recalling multiplication facts up to 12 × 12.
Children answer 25 questions, with six seconds available for each question.
The check helps us identify children who would benefit from additional support to develop secure and fluent multiplication knowledge.
At Mawnan, we place great importance on developing mathematical confidence, understanding and fluency throughout the primary years.
In May, children in Year 6 complete the statutory Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests, commonly known as SATs.
Children are assessed in:
Reading.
Grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Mathematics, including arithmetic and reasoning.
Writing is assessed by teachers against the statutory teacher assessment framework.
Test outcomes are reported using scaled scores. A scaled score of 100 represents the expected standard in the tests.
We recognise that statutory assessments are an important part of children's education, but they represent only one aspect of their achievements.
Our aim is for children to approach these assessments feeling prepared, confident and supported, while continuing to enjoy a broad, rich and engaging curriculum.
Assessment is most valuable when it makes a positive difference to children's learning.
At Mawnan School, teachers and school leaders use assessment information to identify strengths, address gaps in knowledge, provide additional teaching or intervention where appropriate, and ensure that all children experience suitable support and challenge.
We pay particular attention to the progress and attainment of children with SEND, disadvantaged pupils and those who may face additional barriers to learning.
Our commitment is to ensure that every child is included, appropriately challenged and given the opportunity to achieve their very best.
We believe that strong partnerships between school and home make a real difference to children's learning.
Throughout the year, we share information about children's learning, achievements and next steps through parent consultations, school reports and ongoing communication.
We encourage parents and carers to speak to their child's class teacher whenever they have questions about their learning or progress.
Together, we can celebrate every achievement, overcome challenges and help every child use their God-given gifts to let their light shine.
Children in Year 6 complete their statutory Key Stage 2 assessments in May.
The 2027 SATs will take place from Monday 10 May to Thursday 13 May 2027.
The Department for Education has produced an information leaflet explaining the assessments, the timetable and how results are shared with families.
Download the 2027 SATs Information for Parents Leaflet (PDF)
Understanding Your Child's Key Stage 2 Results
At Mawnan, we support children to feel confident and prepared, while recognising that their achievements extend far beyond their SATs results.