Some 9,600 schools signed up to take part in the pilot scheme for the baseline assessment earlier this year, the pilot scheme assesses four and five-year-old children in maths and language, communication and literacy from when they join Reception, starting this term. Since the start of the new academic year, almost 200 schools have dropped out already with reasons of ‘unreliable’ and ‘a waste of time.’ As of September 2021, this baseline assessment will become statutory for every primary school.
‘What’s the Point?’
The baseline assessment uses the results to measure progress in year 7, the primary schools do not receive the results so a lot of teachers and headteachers have asked, ‘what’s the point?’ I must agree, what is the point in causing stress on your pupils to complete tests at such a young age and not even receive the results.
The idea from the DfE is good on paper however in practice, not so much. What could the DfE do to be more beneficial? Maybe share the results with the schools? A lot more would be partial to completing it then.
