Assessment

We track and support every child’s progress through our simple, clear and consistent assessment approach.

At Thrapston Primary School, we believe that whilst assessments are important, they do not define our children. Assessments do not test a child’s personality, their sense of humour, their kindness or their ability to help others. Assessments do not show the wide variety of skills that our children have, from sports, to speaking a different language, to arts and crafts and everything in between. At Thrapston Primary School, we value the interests, hobbies and characteristics of all of our children and we celebrate that all the children in our school are special and unique! 

Across the school, we use various assessment strategies and tools to understand each child’s progress and plan the right support to help them succeed. We use the Diagnosis, Teach, Test, Revisit approach to see what pupils know, what they can do, and what they need next. This helps teachers tailor their teaching and ensures every child is challenged and supported. Parents are kept informed on their child’s progress through regular updates and reports. 

When children start in Reception, we carry out the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA), a national mandatory assessment, to help us understand their early skills in language, communication and maths. This is composed of short, friendly activities with their teacher and helps us plan the best support for each child as they begin their learning journey at Thrapston Primary School. The assessment is not a test and there’s no need for any preparation—it's simply a way to get to know each child better. 

At the end of Year 1, children take part in the Phonics Screening Check to see how well they are learning to read using phonics. It’s a short and simple check where children read a list of real and made-up words to their teacher. This helps teachers identify who may need extra support with reading. The check is done in a relaxed and friendly way and helps ensure every child is on track with their reading journey. Some children may repeat the Phonics Screening Check in Year 2 if they had not met the national pass mark in Year 1.

In the last term of Year 4, children take a short online Multiplication Tables Check to see how well they know their times tables up to 12. The check helps teachers to identify any gaps and ensure pupils are confident with this important skill. It’s a quick and simple activity, completed in a calm and supportive setting, and helps teachers to plan the right support where needed.

At the end of Year 6, pupils take the End of Key Stage 2 SATs in reading, maths, and grammar, punctuation and spelling. These national tests help show what children have learned during primary school and how ready they are for secondary school. The tests are taken in a calm and supportive environment and results are used alongside teacher assessments to give a full picture of each child’s progress.

Assessment weeks are held three times a year for years 3, 4 and 5 – October, February and June. Year 6 children participate in an assessment week each term before the End of Key Stage 2 SATs in May.  

As a school, we use PiXL (Partners in Excellence) during our assessment weeks to help track pupils’ progress in key subjects like reading, maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling. PiXL provides useful tools and resources that help us identify strengths and any areas where extra support might be needed. The assessments are part of our normal school routine and help us tailor teaching to ensure every child reaches their full potential.