Senior Leader Inspirations: Assessment that supports learners’ progress

Assessment needs to successfully fulfil many functions – providing meaningful feedback for learners, teachers and leaders, plus informing decision-making in classrooms and across the school. In this session, we will hear from two schools in the network on how they have successfully embedded approaches to assessment that are clear and impactful.

Speakers

Michael Watson, Headteacher, Hunters Bar Junior School
Creating a culture of continuous improvement: vision, strategy and alignment. Fifteen years after completing the SSAT EFA programme, Hunter’s Bar Junior School are still continuing to embed formative assessment. Headteacher, Michael Watson will share how, in an ever-changing educational landscape, a dedicated focus on formative assessment has proven to be an immensely powerful tool, not just for improving individual learning outcomes, but for fostering a positive, forward-thinking school culture.

Sam Martin, Senior Assistant Headteacher, Kennet School
Years on from the GCSE reform and having redesigned their KS3 curriculum model to support a drive for knowledge, Kennet School needed to shift the focus onto ensuring assessment is fit for purpose. Pupils are required to know more (and do more) at GCSE level and beyond. How can we support pupils and staff in managing this gear change and additional workload? Sam Martin shares Kennet School’s assessment model that supports both robust knowledge retention as well as scaffolded approaches to knowledge application – all while minimising impact on teacher workload. In addition, she will share the vision and strategy behind supporting both pupils and staff along this journey, empowering them to take ownership in the identification of gaps and errors, and adapt their teaching to address this