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KS1 and KS2 'pupil-speak' assessment statements
Use and adapt examples of pupil-speak assessment statements for Key Stage (KS) 1 and 2, and read advice from our expert on using 'I can' statements with the National Curriculum.
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Using ‘I can’ statements with the National Curriculum
'I can' statements can ... be used when setting targets and providing feedback to pupils
Nina Siddall-Ward, an associate education expert, explained that ‘I can’ statements are an assessment tool designed to allow pupils to assess their own skills.
They are usually written in ‘pupil-speak’ and will be discussed at the beginning and end of lessons. You can also use 'I can' statements when setting targets and providing feedback to pupils.
You could base 'I can' statements for the National Curriculum on the lists of statutory requirements for each subject.
You can download the National Curriculum programmes of study from the following page:
However, she added that broader 'pupil assessment statements' may be a more suitable way of assessing pupils under the current curriculum. We look at these in more detail below.
Pupil assessment statements
Nina said that pupil-speak assessment statements could be a more comprehensive way of assessing end-of-unit coverage and depth of understanding.
To produce these statements, you could look at the interim teacher assessment frameworks and the programmes of study from a pupil's perspective, and think about how they might best be explained in a classroom.
You can download the interim teacher assessment frameworks for KS1 and 2 from the following pages:
Statements to assess learning, curriculum coverage and depth of understanding
Nina created 4 examples of pupil-speak assessment statements for us: 2 from KS1 and 2 from KS2. These could be printed and then given to pupils to complete.
Use and adapt these examples when developing your own:
Examples from schools
Mangotsfield Church of England (CofE) Voluntary Controlled Primary School in South Gloucestershire has published assessment statements for writing and maths.
You can download them from the ‘Assessment’ sections of the pages linked to below.
St Agatha's Catholic Primary School in Surrey has also published 'I can' statements for years 1 to 6 in reading, writing and maths.
Sources
Nina Siddall-Ward is an education consultant. She is the former head of standards and learning effectiveness for a large local authority, and has been a headteacher in 3 schools.
- Assessing progress in foundation subjects (primary)
- Assessing reading (primary)
- Assessment approaches: maths (primary)
- Learning objectives and success criteria (primary)
- Marking ladders: English and maths (primary)
- Moderation of teacher assessment: proformas and guidance
- Progression grids: primary
- Setting targets in primary schools
- What are age-related expectations?
- Year-end expectations in English (primary)
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