Mixed-Up on Assessment Make-Up

This is a mixed-up post that reflects the mixed-up status of where we are at. In the mixed-up world of life after levels we are striving to find stability, a validity and a robustness to our assessment procedures.  We started back in 2013 with

a reflection of the learning ladders that we were using. Many descriptors used where archaic and not a reflection of the curriculum and the learning that took place. We had a robust writing assessment system – a little bit paper/time heavy but one that Ros Wilson had produced. We decided to redo our Learning Ladders and use what we knew to try to get ahead of the game. As the new government and new curriculum came in and out went levels, we forged ahead with our ‘new’ system. The first thing that happened is that with the mastery curriculum in Maths we changed our Maths Learning Ladder to reflect this single year group set of attainment targets. Our Reading and Writing Learning Ladders used Ros Wilson and the philosophy that learners can be at a variety of different levels to create continuums to track progress. Sound philosophy, redesign, implementation and BOOM! Slowly over the course of two years it all went downhill. The sound philosophy led to an overwhelming presentation of options to the regular teacher. The difference between the use of the Maths Learning Ladder and the English Learning Ladders meant confusion rained down. There wasn’t a set methodology to lay out to teachers. Now teachers don’t want complications with their assessment system – they want the simplest system to give the maximum information. We’ve battled with these systems over the last couple of years and that brings us to today.

Comparative judgement, descriptor non-validity, data triangulation. Our current journey is the one upward through the miasma of different ideas and conflicting theories. But its okay. No, it really is. We all want the same outcome. Clarity, simplicity (as much as possible) and return to focusing on learning. This current battel has temporarily swamped the important cultural shift or paradigm change of that from teaching to learning. Roll on the next two years.

Step into Headship - The Beginning

With almost five weeks gone and three to four weeks preparation in the summer before that, I feel that I have lived a lifetime as a new head. In reality it is barely a drop in the ocean. It was a list of firsts that had to be ticked off.

• My first admin meeting
• My first leadership team meeting
• my first day with all my teachers in
• My first briefing to the teachers
• My first setting the tone for the year briefing
• My first day with the children in 
• My first Parent's Introductory Evening

Each left with the thought - roll on one year. I kept thinking that when I got through the firsts, I would get to routine. And in the routine I would be able to find the time to do the things that I most wanted to do. But in actual fact, each of these moments were powerful moments. Each of these times, I opened my philosophies up for examination. Each of these times I shaped the thoughts of those around me in how they viewed me. Each of these times I built the way that the team would react to me when asked to do what I want. 

It all went so well so far but it hasn't been all plain sailing. I had been building a model of Extra-curricular activities in my mind. The idea was based around that there should be some continuous provision of activities that some teachers do that become the school's identity. Maybe an ongoing football team and a chess team. Not all the ECAs would be prescribed but just a handful to give that identity. I then spoke to my deputy- and here is the rub - not about my vision but about wanting to fill some of the ECAs first. He dutifully and with a selling enthusiasm, put it out to the staff. The ECA rota was filled for the term and low and behold the two ECAs that I had asked to be done were not taken up by any teacher in the school. I stubbornly decided to do both of them myself. This is not a solution. This was not done well. The vision is where the staff should have been brought in. Lesson learnt. Now onto my seconds of everything. 

MUST WATCH: Richard Gerver - Leading Change

Author of my favourite book- Creating Tomorrow's Schools Today, Richard Gerver discusses the process of change