The curriculum at Fairhouse Primary School follows the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum.

The National Curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.

Statutory Assessments:

At Fairhouse Primary School, children will need to take part in statutory assessments.

Reception Baseline:

All pupils in Reception will need to take part in the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA).  The RBA is an age-appropriate assessment of early mathematics and literacy, communication and language. It is delivered in English and is administered within the first six weeks of a pupil starting reception. The assessment has two components, each consisting of practical tasks using physical resources. 

For parent information on the Reception Baseline Assessment, please CLICK HERE.

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check

The Phonics Screening Check is an assessment to check a child’s ability to read words using phonics rules. Children are tested in reading 40 words - 20 of them are "real words" and 20 are "nonsense words".  The idea is that can correctly read all the graphemes in the word using the phonetic knowledge.  The pass mark for the phonics screening check is usually 32 correctly read words.  Any child who does not meet the threshold will be required to re-sit this check in year 2.  

The phonics screening check is usually held in the first week of June for year 1 children and those children in year 2 who need to be re-screened.

For more information for parents on the phonics screening check, please CLICK HERE.

Key Stage 1 assessments

All children are required to take part in standardised testing at the end of key stage 1 (year 2).  These tests comprise of a reading comprehension test, a maths arithmetic test and a maths reasoning test.  Children also partake in Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation tests.   These tests help form the formal Teacher Assessment of the pupils at the end of the key stage known as SATS Teacher Assessment or End of Key Stage 1 Assessment.  The tests are sat within classrooms during the month of May.  Teacher assessment is decided using the Teacher Assessment Framework for KS1 and is moderated by the local authority. 

Multiplication Table Check

The multiplication tables check (MTC) is statutory for primary schools from 2022.

The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will help schools to identify pupils who have not yet mastered their times tables, so that additional support can be provided.  This check will be undertaken at the beginning of June in year 4.   For more information on the Multiplication Table Check, please click HERE.

End of Key Stage 2 Assessments

At the end of Key Stage 2, pupils in year 6 are required to take part in end of key stage standardised tests known as SATS.  These SATS are comprised of:

Reading Comprehension, Maths Arithmetic, 2X Maths Reasoning papers, a Spelling paper and a Grammar, Vocabulary and Punctuation paper.  These usually take place in the second week in May.  They must be taken on a specific day.  Outcomes from these tests will be shared with you in July.  Writing and Science is assessed by teachers and moderated by the local authority against the Teacher Assessment Framework for KS2.  

Attainment

Children who are not achieving age / year group expectations receive additional support and targeted intervention to enable them to work towards the standard. It is vital that children read at home, practise their spelling and complete homework tasks set in order to consolidate learning.