What is Assessment?

DCS Schools and Settings view assessment as an integral part of the learning and teaching process which is inextricably linked to curriculum coverage. There are three broad overarching forms of assessment:

In-school Formative Assessment

Effective in-school formative assessment enables teachers to identify how children are performing on a continuing basis and to use this information to provide appropriate support or extension, evaluate teaching and plan future lessons.

In-school Summative Assessment

Effective in-school summative assessment enables teachers and school leaders to monitor the performance of classes, vulnerable groups, student cohorts and helps identify where interventions may be required.

Nationally Standardised Summative Assessment

Nationally standardised summative assessment enables school leaders to monitor the performance of student cohorts, identify where interventions may be required, and work with teachers to ensure pupils are supported to achieve sufficient progress and attainment. Nationally standardised summative assessment enables teachers to understand national expectations and assess their own performance in the broader national context.

Attainment and Progress

Attainment is the successful completion of a level or stage of education matched against age related expectations. Progress is a students achievement over a period of time or from a select starting point.

Attainment is the successful completion of a level or stage of education matched against age related expectations. Progress is a students achievement over a period of time or from a select starting point.

Assessment, Recording and Reporting Arrangements (ARRA)

All of our school leaders follow the principles of the DCS ARRA Document. This can be found here.

The Department for Education also publish a yearly Assessment and Reporting Arrangements (ARA) Document for each Key Stage. This can be found here.

Assessment Arrangements for Parents

The Department for Education provide parents with a range of fact sheets regarding assessment. These are updated annually and can be found here.

Yearly Assessment Dates

The following calendar shows specialist events that take place throughout the academic year in all schools and settings. For localised and specialist yearly events please see individual calendars and newsletters.