Schools and learning

Baseline Assessment

As your child joins a reception class (age four or five) they will be assessed by their teacher. This process is called Baseline Assessment and is an essential part of your child’s schooling.

Reasons for testing children at this stage

• Finding out what your child knows, understands and can do.
• Measuring the progress of children throughout their entire school life.
• Ensuring that teachers are able to structure their lessons appropriately for the children in their class.

The Assessment Content

• Language and literacy: skills in talking, listening, reading and writing
• Mathematics: understanding and use of numbers
  Personal and social development: ability to play, work and co-operate with others
• Knowledge and understanding of the world: understanding of our environment and other people
• Physical development: control of movement, awareness of space and ability to handle a range of objects
• Creative development: use of imagination and ability to express feelings and ideas

Parental involvement post-assessment

• After the assessment the school will arrange for you to discuss the results and the next steps being planned.
• If the assessment shows that your child has particular learning needs, you may decide to discuss in detail how those needs should be met.
• The assessment does not cover everything your child knows. This is the opportunity to bring to light certain areas you feel are important that the school has not been able to recognise.
• You should also be offered further advice on how you can help your child’s learning over the next two years.

More information on Baseline Assessment can be found on the DfES Website. Go to the DfES signpost on this page.