News

Assessing pupils' progress and attainment

Teachers are busy finalising their end-of-year assessment data for reading, writing and maths. They do this at the end of every term, but the end-of-year data is especially important. This is definitely true for Mrs Burke, Miss Rushbrooke and Mr Owen because this data is sent to the local authority, the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted.

The attainment levels teachers give your child are based on lots of on-going assessment (marking, asking questions in class etc) and occasional tests. A few weeks ago, children from Y2 to Y6 all did some tests. The end of Key Stage 2 SAT tests done by Y6 are most well-known – these must be sent away to be marked. End of Key Stage 1 tests are done by Y2 pupils. Miss Rushbrooke marks these and uses the test scores and her own teacher assessment to come up with a final level (the test score ‘informs’ the final teacher assessment).

‘Moderation’ is a way to check and compare assessments with other schools. This year, a representative from the local authority visited to oversee the assessment process carried out in Reception. This helps to identify strengths and areas where we can improve (we only received minor suggestions to improve already strong practice). It’s really helpful in that it allows Mrs Burke to discuss her own assessments of Reception children with another Early Years expert. Because we’re a single form entry school so teachers don’t have a ‘partner teacher’ in the same year group, this is useful as a way to ‘check’.

This year, we’ve bought in the services of someone to do this each term for Reception, so we knew Mrs Burke’s judgements were accurate.  We’ve also bought in the services of someone to do something similar for Y2 and Y6 writing, to make sure levels given for writing are accurate – they are!

Also to check or ‘moderate’, this year, governors have decided to use an external organisation to mark the reading, writing and maths of Y3, Y4 and Y5 pupils following their tests and writing tasks.  This will mean we can analyse how our children are doing compared with others nationally (which we already do with the Y2 and Y6 data), and we’ll even get reports on which questions our children did well and less well in – this might help us to work out areas where we can make our teaching even better.

The chart below indicates the minimum level range which is expected for a typical child by the end of the year.  However, please note that over half of our Year 6 pupils attain Level 5 or even Level 6 – much higher than these minimum expectations.

Children in Reception have their development described differently: their attainment will be indicated as ‘emerging’, ‘expected’ and ‘exceeding’ – ‘exceeding’ means they may be working at 1c or higher in the chart above.

End-of-year reports

Teachers are busily writing the end-of-year report for your child, and the 29 other children in the class. It takes quite a while (hence no Class Newsletter this half-term). Once they write the reports, I read them (another task which takes a while!).

We’ll send final reports home for you on Tuesday 08 July this year – this is a little earlier than other schools so that you have the chance to meet with teachers to discuss the report.

For parents / carers of children in Reception, there is a third parents’ evening (Monday 14 July); for others, we encourage you to make an appointment with your child’s teacher (or someone else in school who can help) – especially important if you see that your child is working below expectations or has made only a little progress this year.

Summer Reading Challenge 2014 - win a visit from a fabulous author!

A message from Michelle Ackroyd, Moor Allerton Library, West Area Librarian:

Summer Reading Challenge 2014- win a visit from a fabulous author!

I am writing regarding this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Held in libraries across the country, every year we encourage children to continue reading over the summer and to try lots of new reading material. The challenge is designed to ensure children keep practising their reading skills and develop a life-long love of reading.

The Summer Reading Challenge can help to widen pupils’ reading repertoire and motivate them to read through the long summer holiday. Studies have shown that 80% of children taking part feel they are better readers as a result (Product Perceptions, 2003 and 2006).

How the Summer Reading Challenge works:

• Children sign up at their local library and receive a Mythical Maze poster.
• Children read six books of their choice collecting stickers and incentives along the way.
• Library staff will be on hand to advise and run family-friendly activities.
• Children who complete the challenge are presented with a certificate and medal.

This year, we’re offering children who join the opportunity to win a visit from a fabulous author/illustrator for their school – the highest number of school completers wins a visit!

We are currently offering assembly visits to local schools. I hope we can arrange a visit soon.

Our new SEAL theme for this half-term is...

…’Changes’.

We begin the half term with a focus on manners: I use good table manners.  Adults in school, including lunchtime supervisors, will be looking out for children who show good table manners – not talking with their mouth full and using their cutlery correctly.  What other table manners can you think of?  Ask your child to add their suggestion to their class SEAL box.

Following this, the Changes theme aims to equip children with an understanding of different types of change, positive and negative, and common responses to change.

It aims to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in three key social and emotional aspects of living and learning: motivation, managing feelings and social skills.

The key ideas and concepts behind this theme are:

• Change can be uncomfortable, because it can threaten our basic needs to feel safe and to belong
• Change can also be stimulating and welcome
• Both adults and children can experience a range of powerful and conflicting emotions as a result of change – for example, excitement, anxiety, uncertainty, loss, anger, resentment
• Worries about change can be made worse by uncertainty, lack of information, or misinformation and lack of support from others
• People’s responses to and ability to cope with change are very variable, and might be influenced by individual temperament, previous experience of change, and the nature of the change – chosen or imposed, expected or unexpected, within our control or out of our control

Some children may welcome most forms of change and dislike routine and predictability. Other children may find even small changes very difficult.

Within school, children, who are coping with or have undergone significant change, are supported in a variety of ways:

• Our positive ethos within school
• Support systems, from staff and peers, for children who have undergone change or who maybe new to the school
• SEAL and circle time sessions where children feel safe to talk about their feelings
• Class SEAL boxes for children to record any concerns
• Preparing children wherever possible for planned changes for example, a change of class teacher, Key Stage or even school

Catering Leeds recruitment

The following comes from Catering Leeds, who provide our school dinners:

The Government has announced that free lunches will be available from September for all children in Reception, Years 1 and 2. This is a fantastic opportunity for children, parents and schools. This development also means that Catering Leeds are recruiting catering staff across the city to fill Kitchen Assistant vacancies.

These posts are 10 hours per week, 11.30am – 1.30pm, Term Time Only.

We are looking for staff who are enthusiastic about good food and strong customer service; any catering experience is desirable but not essential.

Catering Leeds have set up a number of recruitment information sessions. These will be held every week at the Civic Hall in Leeds, starting on Tuesday 20th May, from 9am-4pm.

If you would like to book an appointment, or for more information please contact Helen Collins on: 0113 3782323, or Helen.Collins@leeds.gov.uk .

Free school meals for younger children

You will have heard in the news that the current government is introducing free school meals for younger children.  The following text is from Catering Leeds, who supply our school dinners:

Children are able to concentrate and learn better when they have eaten a healthy, balanced lunch – school meals can be the simple solution.

From September 2014, school meals for all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are completely free! This will provide a saving to families of £430 per year for each child.

At Moortown Primary, there is a choice of three meals each day: a meat option, a meat-free option and a jacket potato option. Each meal includes a main course, vegetables and salad, pudding of the day or fruit or yoghurt and water.

Meals are freshly made every day using great quality produce:

• fresh vegetables and potatoes, locally when in season
• UK farm-assured chicken, beef and lamb
• free range eggs from East Yorkshire
• 100% salmon and white fish fillet from sustainable sources
• dolphin-friendly tuna
• UK cheddar

The menus are designed to provide healthy, balanced meals which will be enjoyed by children. They meet the Government guidelines for school meals. All medical and religious diets can be catered for.

View our current menu.

For more information, please speak to Paula or Nicky in the office.

Sport and Active Lifestyles Fair

There is a Sport and Active Lifestyles Fair taking place soon at Roundhay School.

This will be a great opportunity for your child to take part in sports taster sessions and watch sports demonstrations from local clubs.  You’ll be able to find out what sports clubs and physical activity opportunities are available in our area for all children, young people and adults.  Families are welcome and refreshments are available.

…and it’s free!

• Thursday 05 June 2014
• 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Research study

Leeds Metropolitan University’s department of Nutrition & Dietetics is conducting a research study exploring parents’ attitudes and perceptions to packed lunches, and the factors that influence parents’ decision to send their child to primary school with a packed lunch.

As part of this study, they have designed an online survey that is open to all parents with children in primary schools (both having school dinners and packed lunches).

If you are able to spare the time, Leeds Metropolitan University would appreciate the information.

Upcoming sporting events

Sports & Active Lifestyles Fair

Find out what sports clubs and physical activity opportunities are available in our area for all children, young people and adults.  This is a great opportunity to come as a family or with friends and take part in sport / activity taster sessions and watch sports demonstrations from local clubs.

• When: Thursday 5th June 2014
• Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
• Where: Roundhay School

Roundhay Park Family Fun Run (1K & 5K)

• When: Saturday 7th June 2014
• Time: 10:00am
• Where: Roundhay Park

Tour de Roundhay

REAP and Roundhay Live are starting the celebrations of Le Grand Depart early with this community event, full of family fun, music, food and cycling.

• When: Sunday 22nd June 2014
• Time: 12:00pm-5:00pm
• Where: Roundhay School

For further information about any of these events please ask at the school office.

Joint statement regarding the proposed development

The Headteacher, Governing Body and Parents’ Group of Moortown Primary School would like to clarify what their joint position is on their requests for the development of the field at the rear of the school:

We would like a safe and secure area adjacent to the current school boundary that is appropriate for sports and outdoor activity of varying kinds. Ideally this would be for exclusive use of the school and not open to the public.

However, a further option would be that the area is available for the exclusive use of the school weekdays from 8 – 5pm including holidays (as required) to support our out of school activity programme (much of which would be open to all children within the area).

We do not specifically want a marked out pitch and we certainly do not want an open marked pitch in the middle of the park as this is not secure and still has the safeguarding implications that most of the objections to planning have already raised.

This position has been stated by various representatives of the school and the Parents’ Group at various meetings; it has not changed.