Assessment

In History, teachers use a broad range of evidence and assessment for learning strategies to assess pupils’ knowledge of key information and their understanding of key historical concepts. The assessment strategy very much depends on the National Curriculum focus being taught, the medium through which the pupil is being asked to share their knowledge and the individual needs and strengths of the pupil.  For instance, teachers can assess pupils in history through their listening and speaking opportunities, such as discussing or debating viewpoints, sharing their personal interpretations of key events or civilizations and showing their understanding of chronology. This might take place in school or on an enrichment trip. Pupils also produce written pieces based on our cross-curricular approach in which History is the engine of the topic, such as a narrative set in Roman times. At other times pupils are asked to show their understanding through a creative subject such as art or design and technology or even a homework project. The opportunities to use assessment for learning strategies are wide and varied. 

Regardless of the focus, pupils receive on-going feedback to move their forward and learn how to use a wide range of subject specific vocabulary. History is planned to be sequential ensuring the skills and knowledge are built on in a progressive way. Units of work have clear National Curriculum links which are broken down into learning objectives against which the teachers assess pupils’ knowledge and understanding. Assessment attainment is recorded on our assessment system, Insight Assessment. The data is collected twice a year and analysed by the subject leaders. The outcome of the analysis is presented to senior leaders and strategies planned using a collective approach.