At Queen Eleanor Academy, we believe that every child can – and should – make exceptional progress. Our approach to assessment is designed not to label or limit pupils, but to inform, support and empower them. 

Assessment is a vital part of learning: it helps us understand each child’s starting point, identify what they need to succeed, and shape the teaching that helps them get there.

We recognise that no two children learn in the same way or at the same pace, which is why we use a broad and balanced approach to assessment across the year — ensuring that every child’s progress is recognised and supported in a meaningful way.

Purposeful, Child-Centred Assessment

Assessment at Queen Eleanor is:

• Ongoing and responsive, built into daily teaching and adapted to the needs of each child
• Data-informed but people-led, helping us identify gaps, adapt teaching and plan appropriate interventions
• Celebratory in nature, recognising not only attainment, but also the progress, resilience, and effort children show on their journey
• Demystified and transparent, so that children understand the purpose of assessments and feel confident, not anxious, when facing them

From national statutory assessments (EYFS GLD, Year 1 Phonics Screening, Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check, and Year 6 SATs) to our in-house assessment tools such as PIXL, we use a combination of methods to ensure we have a full picture of each child’s learning.

Supporting All Learners to Succeed

We believe that assessment is only meaningful if it leads to action. The insights we gain help us:

• Tailor teaching and feedback to the individual
• Provide targeted support where it's needed
• Identify children working beyond age-related expectations and challenge them appropriately
• Ensure equity by removing barriers to learning, not simply reporting on outcomes

To support this, our Reflect and Recall sessions each morning offer all children a chance to revisit and reinforce essential knowledge and skills. These daily opportunities for revision, retrieval and reinforcement are central to our belief that all children can thrive when we set them up for success.

Working in Partnership With Families

We are passionate about the power of collaboration with parents and carers. We understand that learning doesn’t stop at the school gate — and that when school and home work together, children achieve more.

To support this partnership, we offer:

• Regular Parents’ Information Evenings to explain assessment processes and empower families to support learning at home. These are calendared and the dates for which will be shared well in advance of the event.
• Workshops and training on emerging needs such as online safety, mental health, and supporting children with additional needs
• Opportunities to discuss your child’s progress and assessment outcomes with their teacher in a meaningful, non-rushed way
• Access to programmes such as the Solihull Parenting Approach, recognising that parenting is complex and challenging, and support is vital
• Teacher led coaching sessions to enable parents to support learning at home – particularly numeracy and literacy, which are the building blocks for so much learning.

We want all parents to feel informed, confident, and included in their child’s learning journey. Whether it’s understanding a phonics score, talking through next steps after a progress check, or accessing extra guidance — you are not on your own.

Assessment With Purpose

Assessment at Queen Eleanor is never about ranking or comparing children — it is about understanding how best to support each learner to reach their potential and beyond. We celebrate growth, effort and determination just as much as results. Because what matters most is not where a child starts — but how far they’ve come, and how proud they feel of their achievements.