Maths Calculation methods

A document containing details of the methods used may be accessed here.

Understanding your child's report

The primary school age range includes three Key Stages: Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 which is sometimes referred to as “infants” and Key Stage 2, known as “juniors”. All of these key stages have an individual curriculum and assessment schedule.

Foundation Stage

The curriculum is planned to cover six important areas of learning, through activity and interaction. Children explore literacy, numeracy, and knowledge of the world, and develop physically, socially and creatively. Children are assessed through observation on a nine point scale. Results are reported to parents in terms of year group averages.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

The numbering system used to indicate a child’s level of achievement is very confusing for everyone. The system is historical and has been modified over the years. For example, the majority of children in Year 1 are working at level 1. In order to describe more clearly where each child is within level 1, teachers at Harlands and other schools in West Sussex further define the levels as 1c, 1b, and 1a.
The levels continue in the following order:
1c, 1b, 1a, 2c, 2b, 2a, 3c, 3b, 3a, 4c, 4b, 4a, 5c, 5b, 5a

(Increasingly, these alpha numeric grades are given a numerical point score so that they can be processed by computer. These are reported in the press as APS, average point score.)

These levels are meaningless without more information about the curriculum and the standards of achievement expected. However, for general guidance, by the end of Key Stage 1, most children will have reached level 2, and by the end of Key Stage 2 most will be at level 4. The more academically able children will achieve level 3 at the end of Key Stage 1 and level 5 at the end of Key Stage 2.

On our school reports you will see your child’s level in English and maths and you will also be given a class average. In this way you be have some idea of the progress your child has made since the previous year and you will also be able to gauge your child’s level within the year group. Teachers also indicate on the report the targets for each child to help them progress to the next level. Parents are encouraged to talk to the teacher about any aspect of their child’s report.

You may find the following link useful for more information about the curriculum and assessment.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/ExamsTestsAndTheCurriculum/index.htm