Buttsbury Junior School: Maximising Progress

1. Buttsbury Junior School: Maximising Progress November 2013

2. Rationale • In May 2013 Ofsted said: • Pupils’ achievement has been too varied during the past two years and pupils have not made enough progress from their above average starting points. • But, they also said: • She (the Headteacher)and staff are taking robust action to raise achievement and improve teaching and, as a result, pupils’ progress is improving.

3. An extract from our Post-Ofsted Action Plan Year Group Leaders – greater accountability. More regular pupil progress meetings with the data shared appropriately. Establish a more challenging learning journey – 16 points progress rather than 12. Validate baseline assessment on entry. Achievement of Pupils Curricular Targets. More challenging targets set for classes, year groups and the school. Review the deployment of teaching assistants based on gap analysis. Empower senior leaders by involving them in high level data discussion with external agencies. Ensure parents are correctly informed regarding progress.

4. Four Points Progress With the new targets of four points progress in every year, our children’s progress after four years will be two thirds of a level above the nationally expected progress at the end of Year 6.

5. Progress Measures • Progress will be measured in points rather than thirds of a level. • Two points progress means attainment increases by one third of a level. e.g. Average starting point in Year 3 is Level 2b. By February half-term, the children should have made 2 points progress and be Level 2a. By the end of the academic year, the children should have made 4 points progress.

6. Interim Progress The assessment software used by our school and the majority of Essex schools (and many schools nationally) only allows progress to be measured in 2 points as this equates to a third of a level. We need something more precise than that so, we will be showing 1 point as a ‘plus’ / ‘minus’ sign. NB – Word of Caution – A minus sign does not mean your child has regressed – it might do – but if they have moved in to the next level, but only just, a minus sign could be used to indicate this.

7. Examples November Parents’ Evening – At this point in time, expected progress using the new progress measure, is ONE point. So, if your child started the year at Level 3b, if they have made expected progress, their expected level in November will be Level 3b+. If they have not made progress, their level will be Level 3b. If they have regressed, they could be Level 3b-.

8. Anomalies Year 3: National Transition trend: Children do not make as much progress in Year 3. • By half-term in October, they should have made up any regression and be back at the level they started at in September so – don’t panic if they don’t have a +!

9. Anomalies (2) Children on the SEN Register For children on the SEN register: Above average progress is considered by Essex to be 3 points progress per year. At the present time, we have not adopted this as we don’t want to limit expectations.

10. Buyer Beware • As we have moved the goal posts, many children will look as if they are not on target: Don’t Panic! • We have completely changed our style of teaching and accelerated progress is an expectation for at least 2/3 of the children in the class. If we are concerned, they will attend short intervention sessions (10 minutes per day) and their progress will be monitored closely.

11. Keeping Parents Informed • Termly reports to reflect progress and attainment to date. • Additional Parents’ Evenings (December and April) for parents of children whose progress is causing concern.

12. Questions: ? Thank you for coming.