What does English assessment look like at Hiba?

As the opening of Hiba Academy Nantong approaches, the planning behind the scenes increases. Currently, a big part of our focus is on assessment in all subjects, but particularly in English. To support our preparations, we have been working closely with our sister schools in Shanghai and Hangzhou and our dedicated Institute of Learning to ensure that we are applying the best assessment approaches possible.  

English assessment will be an ongoing process with a big focus from our teachers. We will also present our pupils with endless opportunities to practise their English both inside and outside of the classroom. Simply talking with one’s friends or teachers in English is an invaluable learning opportunity. We will tend to every pupil’s individual literacy and oracy needs with reading, writing, speaking and listening activities that match their skill level.  Our teachers will ensure that each pupil receives appropriate assessment feedback to ensure personalised and measured development. They will communicate regularly with parents about their children’s progress.

Assessment is generally described as being either summative or formative. Formative assessments in English lessons are taken by the teacher throughout a lesson using ‘assessment for learning’ techniques to understand how the pupil is progressing.  This can be linked to a learning objective and assessed through a class discussion, group activity, a short writing task or simply by talking one-to-one. Summative assessments measure pupils’ learning over a longer period and could include an end-of-unit presentation or a celebration of learning. In English, it could be re-writing part of a text via our ‘Talk for Writing’ approach, a phonics check or an end-of-unit or semester written literacy test.

Many educators will tell you that at the heart of any good literacy programme in a school is a well-resourced and welcoming library. We are delighted to deliver on this at Hiba Academy Nantong and look forward to seeing a vibrant space with pupils engaged with the many books and learning resources on offer. The library will also aid our assessment of the pupils’ reading levels with catalogued books linked to appropriate age-related levels. Alongside our accelerated reader programme, our teachers will monitor, motivate and measure independent reading both inside and outside of school.

Our teachers will plan and evaluate thoroughly, ensuring that English lessons are in line with the expected age-appropriate outcomes. They will use both formative and summative assessment information from previous lessons alongside diagnostic data to ensure that pupils are being challenged at the appropriate level.

At Hiba Academy Nantong, we want to foster a use of English throughout the school. Therefore,  an English teacher’s evaluation of progress in lessons is key. There may be times when a teacher suggests more crossover in other subjects to build up literacy. This could mean encouraging more instructional language in PE, for instance, or encouraging pupils to build their oral presentation confidence in drama class. Language assessment can happen in every subject, and that is why our teacher collaboration will work both ways so that our English teachers can understand where literacy is being used effectively around the school.

Our teachers’ assessment, planning and evaluation will therefore have a significant impact on all areas of English learning, and we will work together to ensure that we constantly meet the needs of the pupils. Our aim is that your children become fluent in English but also enjoy the learning journey along the way.