Robin Hood Junior & Infant School, Birmingham

In June 1997 our analysis of test data pointed to potential problems in Year 5. Regardless of ability, insufficient numbers of children had made improvements; some test scores had actually gone down. It seemed that a majority of pupils were standing still and there was a significant number who were below average. Motivation was poor. There was very little reading being done at home, particularly by the boys. This year group would be taking SATS the following May so naturally reading was targeted and a number of strategies were put into action. One of these was to use the SiR multimedia electronic version of the NFER standardised reading test. We had used the paper version for a number of years as an end of year assessment Key Stage 2.

In September, reading for Year 6 pupils was made high profile. Children were challenged to set personal targets for improvement using the Primary Reading Test as a measure. This was popular and children showed none of the apprehension that sometimes accompanies a formal test. Once they had taken the computer based test the class teacher discussed an appropriate target to aim for and also helped them to see which reading strategies they needed to focus on. We have been extremely pleased with the results. First motivation shot through the roof! Quite definitely, pupils have benefited from being presented with a clear picture of where they are, being shown where they need to go to, with the fact that they could see their results immediately and were delighted when they improved. In the first test 45% of pupils had improved scores. In the second test taken in January/February 61% of pupils had improved and all except one of the initial 'improvers' had sustained their progress.

But best of all our SATS results went from 68% to 90%! The reading scores particularly were very good with only 2 children failing to get to level 4.

Ann Aston (Assessment Co-ordinator)
Dave Broadfield (Headteacher)
Telephone 0121-733-2187

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