Assessing progress in foundation subjects (primary)

Understand how to assess effectively in foundation subjects. Mix and match 6 assessment activities to help you, and see how a primary school has approached foundation subject assessment.

Last reviewed on 7 January 2022

School types: All · School phases: Primary

Ref: 1056

Contents

You should:

Assess progress against the key skills set out in the programme of study for each subject
Take into account your curriculum's purpose and aims for those subjects, and assess whether pupils are meeting them
Look at pupils’ attitudes and the process that they follow, as well as at the end product that they create

You could classify pupils’ progress in both subjects as ‘emerging’, ‘embedded’ or ‘secure’.

This was explained to us by Nina Siddall-Ward, one of our associate experts.

Create opportunities for assessment in your short, medium and long-term planning of a topic or subject area.

This will help you make sure that assessment:

Is an integral part of the teaching and learning process
Focuses on clear learning outcomes and/or criteria relating to your school's curriculum