Northern Ireland Curriculum > Foundation Stage > Assessment and Reporting

Assessment and Reporting at Foundation Stage

It is important to view learning, teaching and assessment as a continuous cycle, where assessment is not the end point but should feed back into the process to help to improve learning. Since the purpose of teaching and the main purpose of assessment are to help children to learn, teaching and assessment need to be planned together as complementary aspects of the one activity. In turn, the information obtained from assessments should be used to inform the planning process.

During Years 1 and 2 on-going assessment will be based mainly on teacher observation which will inform the learning programme for each child. Observations are a natural and essential part of good practice for teachers and classroom assistants. Well-planned, regular and skilful observations help teachers gain information about children's progress over time which ensures that all children's needs are being met.

Schools will be required to assess and report annually on each pupil's progress in:

  • Cross-Curricular Skills;
  • Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities; and
  • Areas of Learning.

Schedule for Implementation

Year 1

07/08

Northern Ireland Curriculum statutory

Annual Pupil Profile Report - transition

08/09

Northern Ireland Curriculum statutory

Annual Pupil Profile Report statutory

09/10

Northern Ireland Curriculum statutory

Annual Pupil Profile Report statutory

Year 2

07/08

n/a

08/09

Northern Ireland Curriculum statutory

Annual Pupil Profile Report statutory

09/10

Northern Ireland Curriculum statutory

Annual Pupil Profile Report statutory

The assessment arrangements for the Northern Ireland Curriculum embrace the principles of Assessment for Learning.

For more information on reporting see the Pupil Profile.

The Education (Pupil Records and Reporting) (Transitional) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007