Progress

The Development Matters age band document, supports the EYFS and provides guidance to teachers in understanding a child’s development pathway. It is used for both planning and assessment throughout TSK and in Reception at BSK. 

Our Curriculum Coordinator oversees all planning and assessment. Each term, exciting activities are carefully planned for purpose and the aim is for the children to achieve some of the objectives outlined in the document. It is a fact that children develop at different rates and at different times. They will not achieve the objectives at the same time and in the same order, as all children are individuals and should be treated that way! However, due to our experience, if we have any concerns at all with development and learning, we will speak to parents. Similarly, if a parent has any concerns, we would like to know.  

There are two types of assessment at TSK, formative and summative.

Formative Assessment (On-Going Assessment)

Teachers support learning through play and develop a bank of evidence over time, which is used to make judgements about each child as an individual. The evidence can be in the form of photographs, observations, completed activities, pieces of “work” and discussions with the child. 

Observations of children are vital. The starting point is always with the child. Each child has a unique set of abilities and talents, observations in different situations and those we capture first hand. Teachers observe a child in learning to make decisions about what the child has learned or can do already and what the next step should be. 

Observing what each child chooses to do, what their interests are, who they play with, what resources they like provides teachers with reliable information about children as individuals. Any significant learning, something a child has newly achieved is called a “wow moment”. These wow moments will be included in your child’s online Learning Journey in the “Journal” feature of Seesaw. 

Summative Assessment 

This type of assessment ‘sums up’ all the evidence relating to your child. Each child has an A3 profile sheet which includes all the steps of learning in relation to a particular Development Matters age band. 

At the end of each term, Teachers make judgments based on the evidence collected through on-going assessment. For a child to be secure in any objective, they must be independent and not need any adult support. 

Teachers share this information with other colleagues and it is reviewed and moderated with both the Curriculum Coordinator and Principal. This ensures we are consistent across the year groups and accurate with our judgements.

Both on-going and summative assessment evidence for your child will be shared with you during the Parent Consultation sessions throughout the year.