The National Curriculum and assessment in schools, has undergone some radical changes in the last few years. In terms of the curriculum, the introduction of a ‘new’ curriculum has seen the introduction of very different content to the ‘old’ curriculum. Many of the old objectives in the ‘new’ curriculum have shifted to lower year groups in the new, more rigorous curriculum.

For assessment, due to direction from the Department of Education (DfE) (see below) we have moved to a system which removes the old assessment grades (e.g. 2a, 2b, 2c etc) that have been with us for many years.

"As part of our reforms to the National Curriculum, the current system of 'levels' used to report children's attainment and progress will be removed. It will not be replaced.

We believe this system is complicated and difficult to understand, especially for parents. It also encourages teachers to focus on a pupil’s current level, rather than consider more broadly what the pupil can actually do. Prescribing a single detailed approach to assessment does not fit with the curriculum freedoms we are giving schools.” DfE June 2013    

Parkfield’s ‘new’ assessment system is now directly linked to year group National Curriculum objectives, and in this way, it is a very positive change. We have seen this as an exciting opportunity to review our assessment and reporting systems in order to create a more holistic approach that makes sense to pupils, parents and staff.

We are now assessing children against the new curriculum framework and we have a robust assessment system.