Our Approach to Assessment

At our school, assessment is used to support every child’s learning and to help teachers plan teaching that meets individual needs. We use a combination of formative assessment (ongoing checks in lessons) and summative assessment (formal tests or tasks) to understand what pupils know and can do.

Our assessment approach ensures that:

  • Pupils who need additional help are identified quickly and supported
  • Higher-attaining pupils are challenged and extended
  • Parents receive clear, accurate information about their child’s achievement and progress
  • Teachers use assessment insight to improve teaching and learning across the curriculum

We review our assessment procedures regularly to ensure they remain consistent with guidance from the Department for Education (DfE).

Statutory Assessment Results (Key Stage 2)

Schools are legally required to publish the most recent Key Stage 2 (KS2) outcomes once they are released by the DfE. The most recent available results are shown below:

Key Stage 2 Results (Most Recent Published Year)

We report the following measures:

  • Progress scores in Reading, Writing, and Maths
  • Percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard
  • Percentage of pupils achieving the higher standard
  • Average scaled scores in Reading and Maths

We also report on our Phonics Screening data at the end of Year 1 and our Multiplication Tables Check at the end of Year 4.

Link to School Performance Tables

You can view our full performance data on the government website:

👉[Click here to visit our page on the DfE School Performance Tables]
https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/119586/st-john-s-catholic-primary-school%2C-skelmersdale

How We Report to Parents

Parents receive information about their child’s achievement and progress through:

  • Informal open events throughout the year
  • Parents Evenings
  • Annual written reports
  • Parent consultation meetings
  • Additional meetings where needed for pupils receiving extra support

We also provide end-of-key-stage statutory reports (EYFS, Phonics Screening Check, Multiplication Tables Check, KS1 teacher assessments, and KS2 SATs).

Assessment in the Wider Curriculum

Teachers assess learning in all subjects through:

  • Regular classwork review
  • Low-stakes quizzes and retrieval tasks
  • Practical assessments where appropriate
  • Ongoing teacher judgement

These assessments ensure that curriculum learning is secure and that pupils are ready for their next stage.

Assessment for Pupils with SEND

Our approach for pupils with additional needs is outlined in our SEND Policy. This includes:

  • How progress is assessed for pupils working below age-related expectations
  • How we adapt assessment to meet individual needs
  • How parents are kept informed

We follow the statutory requirements of the SEND Code of Practice and work closely with families to ensure assessments are supportive and fair.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Assessment

Children in Reception are assessed against the Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Parents receive:

  • An end-of-year EYFS Profile outcome
  • Information about readiness for Year 1
  • Ongoing feedback about early development and learning

External Accountability

Our school is inspected by Ofsted. Their reports include comments on:

  • The effectiveness of assessment
  • The progress pupils make
  • How well leaders use assessment to improve outcomes

👉 https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/119586

Further Information

If you would like more detail about our assessment methods, please contact the school office or speak with your child’s class teacher.