FILLING THE VOID
Void? What void?
Headteacher
have all focused unduly upon students’ achievement in such as PiSA (the Programme for international Student monitor students’ progress more effectively across a
the tests in the three core subjects, and little else. As a Assessment), tiMSS (the trends in international wider range of subjects and skills.
John Fairhurst
consequence, many teachers feel unskilled in the area Mathematics and Science Study) and PiRlS (the So, void… what void? SecEd
of assessment. Progress in international Reading literacy Study).
there is, now, an opportunity for the focus at key What has happened has given us a chance to make • John Fairhurst is headteacher of Shenfield High
tackles SecEd’s
stage 3 to shift and embrace the full repertoires of more of the work that we already do, to strengthen School in Brentwood, Essex. He is also chairman of the
secondary school subjects. there is also the opportunity teachers’ expertise and sense of professionalism, and ASCL education committee.
Filling the Void
to develop teachers’ assessment skills. And not only
that, but also to ensure that there is a clear, nationally
series, which is looking at
agreed framework through which robust judgements
can be benchmarked and so enjoy the confidence of
what should happen now
professionals, the parents, and the wider public alike.
ASCl members are responding enthusiastically
to the guidance embedded in the recently published
key stage 3 SATs have gone
materials Assessing Pupils’ Progress (APP) in maths
and english. however, it is essential that we maintain
the “guidance” nature of these materials and encourage
teachers to use and adapt them to local circumstances.
lthough, like many others indeed, if they prove too great a straitjacket,
A
i am sure, i have enjoyed reading then assessment could again wrongly constrain the
the vast range of views expressed curriculum, which would be wholly inconsistent with
in SecEd’s Filling the Void series, the creativity and local relevance envisaged by the new
i know from many of my senior key stage 3 programme.
More Choice. More Opportunity
colleagues in the Association
of School and College leaders
(ASCl) that we question that very title. our immediate
reaction is: Void? What void?
it is not the case that the abolition of national tests
in the core subjects creates such a massive hole in the
secondary school diet that we must recast everything
in the light of some tragic loss. on the contrary: “key
‘
Key stage 3 tests
Here in Hertfordshire, we are home to an
are dead! Thank God!
exceptional range of schools - from small
Long live teacher
stage 3 tests are dead! thank god! long live teacher
assessment!”
the english assessment regime seems to have been
assessment!
village primaries to large secondaries.
built on the false foundation that the tests – and only the
tests – were definitive.
We also offer superb induction and CPD.
Yet, foundation subjects have been happily assessing of course, we would not advocate
and reporting to parents the teachers’ assessment of
where students have finished in key stage 3.
’
a free-for-all.
Developments in teacher assessment must go hand-in-
Within this very supportive environment,
hand with development in its moderation. ASCl was
No-one has objected. in most, if not all, schools i am first to suggest the introduction of “chartered assessors”.
sure this is a careful and properly professional exercise. For this reason, we have consistently supported the
you will have every opportunity to
the foundation subjects have not suffered from the work of the Chartered institute of educational Assessors
“league table” pressure that beset the core at the end of (CieA) and the successful pilots carried out in this area.
key stage 3. i believe, i hope not naively, that without We recognise that if teacher assessment is to be taken
establish and develop your career.
such scrutiny the teachers have, nonetheless, given their seriously, and develop a reputation for robust and
judgement their “best shot”. consistent judgements, then every school and college
the abolition of key stage 3 testing is rightly will need to designate staff entrusted with appropriate
exciting a vigorous debate about assessment and its responsibilities.
For more information about opportunities in
key purposes. teachers understand that formative We advocate the appointment of a lead chartered
assessment (Assessment for learning in more modern assessor to lead and manage assessment within each
Hertfordshire Schools, log on and apply at
parlance) is an integral part of the job. Similarly, institution and also to be responsible for leading the
they have always been happy to report end of year training of domain (or subject level) chartered assessors.
achievements in a summative grade (Assessment of this, of course, mirrors closely the assessment pattern
www.teachinherts.com
learning). that has been introduced for the new Diploma (which
it is the more recent, politicised, purpose that has we welcome).
Tel: 01438 844871
been added – that of using student assessment to hold National moderation of the process, year-against-
schools and teachers to account – which is the core year, should also be part of this construct. there is
difficulty and which has skewed the whole process. much good practice to inform the development of a
Email: teachinherts.hdc@hertscc.gov.uk
Since their inception, key stage 3 tests have led national sampling process. For example, in england
Hertfordshire is committed to the protection and safety of children and young people.
teachers to believe that their assessments were not and Wales much excellent work of this nature was once
valued. And not only in english, maths and science, but done by the Assessment Performance unit (APu). the
also in the other subjects in which the teachers’ work resurrection of the APu, or a similar institution, would
has been set aside as parents, the children themselves, completely answer the need for national monitoring and
progress statistics, school targets, and school audits might also usefully be linked with international surveys
16 SecEd • March 26 2009
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