Phoenix Primary and Secondary School

Following the removal or previous traditional system of assessment through levels 2014 the c=school was left to devise our own method of assessment. We chose to connecting steps as a primary method of tracking and recording progress of our learners across curriculum subject areas In September 2015 Phoenix School having changed to the adapted version of BSquared to meet the demands of the new National Curriculum and we are now in our second year having met the challenges and capitalised on the opportunities offered by the changes to the way we assess progress and how we can use these assessments to inform and improve teaching and learning.

We now use CSAM to provide in-depth reports across multiple student cohorts and for whole school analysis

We have also recently added a new automated system for management of student data, which will synchronise with our SIMS. When students transfer to a new class, any changes updated in our SIMS will be reflected in our trackers within a few hours, providing continuity across key stages and year groups.

Connecting Steps have adapted the assessment tool to meet the demands of the new National Curriculum. The number of strands has increased across the National Curriculum and the value of existing strands has changed. Expectation has been raised by the Government and the skill descriptors within the levels have changed in value. We set our data against national expectation taking into consideration Learning Difficulty and baseline starting point at key stage and set this against national averages, progression guidance. We use GAP and CASPA to ensure our expectations are moderated against national expectations in core subjects

After early fluctuations in results, largely due to the reforms to the assessment criteria nationally, we have robust methods for tracking pupil progress over time, sharing and presenting pupil progress to inform parents, agencies working with our children and young people and importantly inform and improve teaching and learning.

We are continually improving our monitoring and tracking of pupil progress so that it can reflect the amazing learning taking place and strengthen the broad and varied curriculum we offer. One key outcome of the changes to the national curriculum and assessment We are investigating and trialling new ASD progressions and methods of evidencing progress

The data from 2015-2016 presents a picture of outstanding progress across Key Stages.