National Tests

As you are probably aware from media coverage, a new National Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF) is being introduced on a statutory basis from September 2013 to support children aged 5 and above to develop their literacy and numeracy skills.

 

The LNF identifies annual literacy and numeracy expectations and is designed to help children develop literacy and numeracy skills through all subjects not just their discreet English and Mathematics lessons. The framework fits in well with our new topic based curriculum.

 

As part of the LNF, the Welsh Government have introduced reading and numeracy tests for all children in Year 2 - Year 6. These tests are sent directly to school, administered and marked by class teachers and the results sent directly back for analysis. Each school has been asked to set aside a week for these tests to take place and at Ffynnon Taf we have selected the week commencing 13th May. We would ask that every effort is made to ensure children are in school during that week and arrive on time.

 

The new tests will replace the NFER reading and maths tests that we have used previously. As the timing is similar, we aim not to place the children under any unecessary stress and have only informed them that 'assessment week' will take place as normal, albeit with a new look test. We are confident that our children are developing very good numeracy and literacy skills through their every day teaching and learning so have no intention of drilling the children or training them to take a test.

 

If you have any questions about these new tests or the assessment week, please do not hesitate to ask us at school.