At Waterloo Primary Academy, assessment is an integral part of our curriculum and is used to support learning, inform teaching and help children make secure progress over time. It enables teachers to understand what pupils know, remember and can do, and to identify what needs to be revisited or built upon next.

Assessment is closely aligned to our curriculum intent and focuses on how well children are developing the knowledge, skills and understanding set out in each subject. Teachers use day-to-day assessment as part of high-quality classroom practice, ensuring learning is responsive and carefully sequenced so that knowledge builds and deepens over time.

At key points in a child’s primary education, statutory assessments take place. These include:

• the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) at the end of Reception
• the Phonics Screening Check at the end of Year 1, with a re-check in Year 2 where required
• the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) in Year 4
• National curriculum assessments (SATs) at the end of Year 6

The term ‘expected standard’ refers to the nationally agreed expectations for pupils at each statutory assessment point.

Assessment information is used to support pupils’ learning and to ensure teaching meets their needs. Parents and carers are kept informed about their child’s progress through regular communication and reporting, with a shared focus on supporting children to achieve well and feel confident in their learning.