Reports

Attainment in relation to the Early Learning Goals is formally recorded at the end of Reception. Progress is outlined in regular parental reports and also reported to Croydon Council.

It is an assumption that a pupil in Year 6 of Royal Russell Junior School will continue into the Senior School. All pupils progressing to the Senior School will be expected to demonstrate: good work habits, academic ability, willingness and ability to contribute positively to the life of the School and an ability to benefit from the educational opportunities on offer. There are occasions when our assessments suggest that a pupil may have difficulty coping with the academic demands of Royal Russell School and parents will be alerted at an early stage if this is the case. Where a pupil is struggling to make the expected progress, support systems are put in place. Careful monitoring of progress will take place and regular communications will be held between school and home (please see Learning Enrichment).

Reports are written termly and provide parents with information about progress and next steps. Reports are available via Firefly.

For Years 1 - 6, the Autumn term report includes comments on Maths, English and Science, and identifies areas for development as well as providing any assessment data that has taken place that term. A pastoral comment is also included in this report. The Spring term report contains effort and achievement grades across all areas of the curriculum. Attainment grades are provided to clarify whether your child is ‘emerging’, ‘expected’ or ‘exceeding’ expectations for that subject at that point in the academic year. The Summer term report contains a comment section for each area of the curriculum, as well as a pastoral comment and effort and attainment grades.

All reports also include a grade (Emerging, expected or exceeding) for five different attributes: Behaviour, Courtesy and Consideration, Independence, Motivation for Learning and Organisation.

Effort grades for subjects focus on the following areas:

• Approach to learning

• Completeness of work

• Behaviour for learning

It is important to remember that effort is a very different measure to attainment as it is not linked to ability. The children understand what teachers are looking for and why we award the grades and it is hoped they will then strive to improve their effort, enthusiasm and commitment.

For a full break down of how judgements are made on effort grades for subjects and the five different attributes, please see the Firefly link.

Early Years reports are based on the seven areas of learning and the characteristics of effective learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.

Parents' Evening

Parents’ Evenings take place with the class teacher and with subject specialists.

In the Autumn Term, parents are invited (usually in week four) to make an appointment to speak with the Class Teacher early on in the term, with a pastoral focus and to ensure a smooth transition into a new year group has been made.

In the Spring Term, parents have a further opportunity to make an appointment with the Class Teacher and Subject Specialist Teachers.

If you would like to discuss any specific aspect of your child’s report in more depth with the Class Teacher or subject specialist, an appointment can be arranged at a separate time. Parents are welcome to have an informal discussion with a teacher at any mutually convenient time. Should you wish to arrange a formal meeting, please email the member of staff directly.

At the beginning of the day, teachers are often very busy welcoming their classes and taking the register, and it is often not possible for parents to have a discussion at this time.

Parents wishing to pass on information at the beginning of the school day are asked to speak to or contact the School Office team by telephone or email.

Parents wishing to speak to the Headmaster are welcome to call the School Office at any time for an informal chat, or may arrange an appointment with Mrs Jones.