Welcome back! The Summer term brings with it the spectre of statutory assessments. In 2024 there will be KS4 to KS5 progress measures for the first time since the pandemic, but this will be the last year of Progress 8 measures for two years and in Primary there will not be KS1 to KS2 progress measures for the next two years. With the end of KS1 statutory assessments last year, we are yet to see how the reception baseline assessment could be a suitable alternative, but there are some certainly many questions to ask over the validity of using this as a measure.

Two years ago the Independent Commission on Assessment in Primary Education published a report setting out some key recommendations and principles for primary assessment including that the purpose of primary school assessments is to improve pupils’ learning and progress during their primary school years. Schools have focused on formative assessment as a pedagogical tool that can make a real difference in the classroom. However, the current national system seems a long way from the reports’ recommendation that formative assessment of children’s learning (or indeed progress measures) is the main emphasis of the assessment system.

Regardless, the expectation of school leaders to make sure that pupils attend on test days and managing the anxieties of pupils, staff and parents make for a pressured time. It is important that pupils are as prepared and comfortable for tests and this is something that the approach of individual schools can make a difference with, but it is equally important that you pace the term and make the space and time for yourself to reflect and recuperate. Make sure that you enjoy a great weekend.

Stephen Hall

Chief Executive Officer, Camden Learning