What does progression like like in Penllergaer Primary School?

At Penllergaer, we believe that progress can take many forms, whether it is in writing, reading , number, social skills, behaviour, drawing, sport, music or confidence. Each child’s development is valuable and unique.

We believe that children learn best when they are given instruction, opportunities to practise their skills and chances to apply their learning in authentic, real-life situations.

Our hardworking and dedicated teachers plan lessons ensuring that they pinpoint each child’s stage in their learning journey.

This progression is underpinned by sound research, which informs our understanding of cognitive development and helps us facilitate meaningful learning experiences.

How can we see progress?

Progress can be seen in various ways. It may involve increasing effectiveness in tasks, broadening knowledge across areas of learning, and deepening understanding of the concepts within various disciplines. Children refine their skills, growing increasingly sophisticated in how they apply what they have learned. They start making connections and transferring their learning into new contexts which is a significant indicator of progress.

Where can we see progress?

You will observe your child’s progress in many ways. It may be evident in the quality of their workbooks, through conversations you share, during performances or by witnessing their confidence blossom in new situations. At PPS, placing progression at the heart of our educational ethos ensures that your child aspires to meet the four purposes of education, equipping them for a successful and fulfilling future. These are under-pinned by the integral skills. We are committed to nurturing every child’s potential as they learn within our community.

How do we measure you child's progress?

We monitor your child’s progress through a variety of assessment methods. Firstly, daily observations of your child exploring new concepts through their activities, allows us to capture their learning journey and plan their next steps.

Secondly, we track essential skills including spelling, reading and numeracy which enables staff to identify what is working well for the pupil.

From year 2, pupils also complete Welsh Government personalised assessments in reading, numeracy and problem solving. These enable school leaders to identify strengths and areas for improvement at a whole school level.

This wealth of information enables us to identify strengths, monitor progress and carefully plan the next steps tailored to your child’s unique needs. By fostering open communication, we ensure that you are kept informed and involved in your child’s educational path.

How do we inform you of your child's progress?

For reception to Year 6 learners, during the Autumn and Spring Terms we conduct formal parent consultations to discuss progress and any areas for development. As we reach the summer term, a comprehensive written report for all learners will be presented, highlighting your child’s progress across all areas of learning.

Once a year, pupils from Year 2 to Year 6 take part in the Welsh Government assessments, which focus on key areas such as reading, number skills and problem-solving and we notify you when you are able to access these results.

Does your child know about their progress?

Feedback to pupils is vital, as it informs them of their progress and outlines areas for improvement. We provide “in the moment” verbal feedback whenever possible, usually during lessons, although we may also summarise feedback from a lesson.

Teachers annotate pupils’ work during lessons to dictate how to improve, linking written feedback to the success criteria of relevant unit of work. This clarifies whether the overall learning objective has been achieved; if not we explain why.

Pupils are encouraged to Do It Now (DIN) and respond to immediate feedback in green pen.

In all cases, we specify what the child should do next to enhance their work.