Assessment in Primary

Assessment in Primary At BIS Hanoi, on-going formative assessment of our children’s learning happens every day and in every lesson. Through this daily assessment, our teachers are able to plan and pitch their lessons to all of the children’s different abilities and stages of learning. By assessing this way, the teachers understand what the children know already and what their next steps in learning should be.

Please look for Vietnamese and Korean version below. 

Why do we assess?

At BIS Hanoi, on-going formative assessment of our children’s learning happens every day and in every lesson. Through this daily assessment, our teachers are able to plan and pitch their lessons to all of the children’s different abilities and stages of learning. By assessing this way, the teachers understand what the children know already and what their next steps in learning should be.

How do we assess?

In addition, we also know the value of formalised assessment procedures as they provide the evidence to support our teachers’ assessment judgements. Since the beginning of the year, in Y1-Y6, we have assessed the children in reading, writing, phonics and mathematics in order to give us a baseline of where they are on their learning journey. Throughout the year, at regular intervals, we re-assess the children in these core subject areas so we can see the excellent progress our children are making. We are always happy to celebrate this progress with parents through notes in the diary, emails, dojo messages and face-to-face conversations.

What are INCAS Assessments

One of the methods we use for assessment at the beginning of the academic year is a computer based standardised test called INCAS for Years 2-6. This is a comprehensive set of assessments that provides the teachers with valuable assessment data in English reading, spelling, phonics, all areas of mathematics and the children’s developed ability and attitudes towards school. Last week, at Parents’ Evening, your class teacher will have shared the INCAS pupil progress graph for your child. I am sure you will have been just as proud as the teachers to see the continued positive progress your children are making in English and mathematics in comparison with averages in the United Kingdom.

The bigger picture for every child and parents

Of course, we know that one assessment does not paint a full picture of any one child and that is why we use many other forms of assessment for Y1-6 to evidence our teachers’ judgements. For example, we will use PUMA maths assessments, Big Cat reading, Bug Club, phonics checks. These coupled with the daily teacher assessments in lessons provide an overall picture of your child’s learning. Our teachers are always happy to answer any questions about your child’s progress so please speak to your class teacher if you have any questions.

Assessment in Early Years

In EYFS (F1-F3), the teachers and children follow the EYFS curriculum, so their methods of assessment differ slightly. The teachers in F1-F3 also assess the children every day and in every lesson, helping them provide next step learning opportunities. You will have also noticed that we have introduced a new platform for EYFS assessment this year called Evidence Me.

Evidence Me Assessment

Evidence Me allows the class teachers to share assessment observations made in school with you at home, using pictures and videos. The teachers provide a description of the learning that is taking place, next steps for you to try to develop at home and a list of the assessment objectives this observation is evidence of. By sharing the assessments objectives with parents, we hope that you will gain a greater understanding of how we assess the children in F1-F3 through play.

Early Years Parents

 These learning observations will be shared with parents every four weeks and parents can also use Evidence Me to send observations of their children from home-learning. All parents have been invited to join Evidence Me via email and if you have any questions about using the application please chat to your class teacher.

Darragh Shanahan

Assistant Head of Primary

Please look for Vietnamese and Korean version here