Assessing Pupils’ Progress (APP)

APP is a structured approach to periodically assessing mathematics, reading and writing so teachers can:

• track pupils' progress
• use diagnostic information about pupils' strengths and weaknesses.

Using APP materials teachers can make level judgements for National Curriculum attainment targets (ATs) in reading, writing and all aspects of maths

Based on the assessment focuses (AFs) that underpin National Curriculum assessment, the APP approach improves the quality and reliability of teacher assessment. It has proved to be robust and effective in practice.

 
The materials are made up of two elements:

• assessment guidelines - sheets for assessing pupils' work in relation to National Curriculum levels
• standards files - exemplars of pupils' performance at National Curriculum levels of attainment.

APP supports teachers in providing a broad curriculum and developing their skills and judgements for assessing pupils' progress. It involves 'stepping back' periodically to review pupils' ongoing work and relate their progress to National Curriculum levels.

What are the benefits of APP?

School leaders and teachers who are using APP materials have identified the following key benefits.

• APP gives a detailed profile of what a pupil can do in relation to the AFs.
• It provides high quality evidence to inform next steps in pupils' learning and reporting on pupils' progress.
• Its outcomes contribute to improved learning and more responsive teaching, and support teachers in aligning their judgements with national standards.
• It embraces assessment approaches which have traditionally been defined as formative and summative.
• It provides a National Curriculum AT level when needed, from an informed, holistic judgement, rather than an arithmetical accumulation of marks in tests.

In Newcastle 96% of first, primary and middle schools have accessed free training from the Primary Strategy team for their whole staff in at least one element of APP.

A recent monitoring visit from DCSF reported

 "The LA has a clear, well developed plan for the implementation of APP and the training it has provided has been highly valued by all levels of school staff"

By using APP, Newcastle schools are well and truly "putting the learner at the heart of assessment."

Related links

You can access the primary and secondary subject specific APP materials on the National Strategies website

Contact

For more information contact the Primary Strategy Team on 0191 277 4681