SLT News

Dear DPA Families,

What a fantastic time we had celebrating Red Nose Day 2022 together again this year! Thank you so much for all your contributions to some fantastic outfits.

We continue to work on developing children’s love for reading across the school through our library areas and are very grateful to our volunteer librarian who helps to keep everything in order. Hearing pupils of all ages read aloud enables them to develop their fluency and use of expression - thank you to our all volunteer readers across the school!

As you will have probably seen in news headlines, terms five and six will see the return of some national assessments for children in years one, two, four and six.

Year One - Phonics Screening Check

This will take place in early June and is an opportunity for pupils to apply their phonetic skills to reading 40 real and ‘alien’ words. The check is completed on a 1-to-1 basis at the child’s basis and they have had the opportunity to practise this at other points this academic year. You will be informed of the outcome in your child’s end of year report. You can ask your child’s teacher how they’re getting on in phonics at the upcoming parents’ evening.

Year Two - Key Stage One SATs

Throughout the month of May our year two pupils will complete test papers in reading and maths. We do not describe these to the children as tests - rather quizzes or challenges - as we do not want them to worry about them at all. They will have the opportunity to complete them in small groups with a familiar adult and will be supported with extra time and reading where appropriate. These assessments are used to inform their final teacher assessment at the end of the school year alongside areas for teaching at the end of year two and start of year three.

Year Four - Multiplication Check

A new times tables test will be taken by children in year four this summer. Children will be tested using an on-screen check (on a chromebook), where they will have to answer multiplication questions against the clock. The test will last no longer than 5 minutes and is similar to other tests already used such as TTRS.

Children will have 6 seconds to answer each question in a series of 25. Questions will be selected from the 121 number facts that make up the multiplication tables from 2 to 12, with a particular focus on the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables as they are considered to be the most challenging.

The test will be taken during a three week period in June and will be treated as a quiz or challenge as to not unduly worry pupils and allow them to do their best.

Year Six - Key Stage Two SATs

This May will see the return of the KS2 SATs after two years of cancellations. SATs are standardised assessment tests administered by primary schools in England to children in Year 2 and Year 6 to check their educational progress. Year six pupils will sit tests in reading, grammar, spelling, punctuation and maths. The assessments are reported to the parents at the end of the school year and help both parents and teachers to gauge the progress that a child is making.

We are incredibly proud of all children and all that they have achieved. They do not need to be worried at all about any of these assessments. If they do have concerns, please speak to their class teacher at parents’ evening. We look forward to seeing you there.

Happy Easter!

Mrs Haywood and Mr Mitchell

Little Birds Nursery at Dartford Primary Academy