Reporting to Parents
Throughout the year, our reporting to parents aims to answer the following questions:
Attainment: A result at a specific point in time, the score or level a student is awarded after triangulating assessment data, other evidence and teacher professional judgements.
Progress: How a student's attainment scores change over time. Are respective attainment scores increasing or decreasing?
Achievement: How a student's attainment and progress compare to what's expected of them. This is an individualised judgement, unique to each student.
Wellbeing: How a student is in themselves, how happy they are in school and how well they get on well with their peers and staff.
A more detailed overview
Attainment (Pre Kindy - Reception) is measured using the Early Learning Goals (ELGs), by which every child leaving the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is assessed. Most children are Expected to achieve the Early Learning Goals, although some children may still be at the Emerging level of development towards a particular goal. The Characteristics of Effective Learning and the Prime and Specific Areas of Learning and Development are all interconnected.
Attainment (Year 1 - Year 6), at a basic level, means 'a result at a specific point in time'. For example, teachers at ISB do 'little and often' assessments in many different forms to see what students know and don't know how to do. In the core curriculum areas of Reading, Writing, Maths & Science, attainment is scored using a 1 - 9 scale (9 being the highest). In all other areas of the curriculum, attainment is recorded as Emerging, Developing, Secure or Mastered when measured against age related expectations.
Attainment is judged on what is happening in the class rather than on a single test or assessment. Attainment scores will indicate if your child is attaining a similar grade to their peers or not.
Progress is a measure which takes a student's current attainment and compares it to their prior attainment. This is not a comparison to the student's peers and is recorded as Below Expected progress, Expected progress or Excellent progress. At ISB, if a student remains within the same attainment band over time, their progress is Expected. If a student significantly increases their attainment score, their progress is Excellent.
Achievement is a term used in school which takes into account both the attainment and progress of a student and looks at where we would expect them to be. For example, a student could well have attainment far below that of their peers, but be making Good progress and so is achieving well. Conversely, a student who always achieves attainment scores well above their peers, but when compared with their progress it may show that they are not achieving as highly as they might be expected from their previous scores.
Achievement is a way for us to recognise students for their individual efforts and work towards an agreed goal. The achievement score takes into account the 'narrative' of the attainment and progress scores.
Wellbeing is the most important element of our reporting to parents. At International School Brunei we genuinely care how much our students know and equally how they feel. We want them to thrive academically and succeed in life. Our goal is to make them ready to tackle challenges in life; that is why their wellbeing is so important for us. Wellbeing is all about: how you feel about yourself; about the quality of your relationships; your ability to manage your emotions; how much meaning and joy you derive from your life; the experience of physical and mental health.
ISB 1-9 Attainment score
At ISB, we use a 1-9 scale within the score subjects. Numbers are presented as a decimal, with the first number representing the Year Group and the second the level of Attainment.
Student is in Year 4 and has achieved an attainment score of 7.
Student is in Year 3 and has achieved an attainment score of 8.
Student is in Year 6 and has achieved an attainment score of 6.
Outside the core subject areas of Reading, Writing and Maths, we use an attainment scale of Emerging, Developing, Secure and Mastered to measure attainment against age related expectations. Seen above, attainment scale for a student.
ISB Progress score
In order to measure Progress, we use the terms Below Expected, Expected and Excellent. Below is an example of Expected and Excellent Progress:
Expected progress
Student shows an Expected level of progress. As the student moves up each year group, the attainment score remains a constant.
Excellent progress
Student shows an Excellent level of progress. As the student moves up each year group, the attainment score remains a constant until Year 4 when the attainment score rises. This is an Excellent level of progress as the student then maintains this higher attainment score through to Year 6.
ISB Achievement score
A student will receive an Achievement score as a result of both their Attainment and Progress. This is an individualised judgement and takes into consideration the context of each student.
Wellbeing
During each Parent-Teacher Consultation, Celebration of Learning and within the end of year video post, teachers will take the opportunity to discuss each student's Wellbeing. This is the most important aspect of school life. At International School Brunei we have a very strong pastoral team composed of Teachers, Learning Assistants, Learning Support Assistants, Heads of Year, School Counsellors, Nurses and the Primary Leadership Team. They are all here to oversee the wellbeing of our students as well as the staff. Their day-to-day role may differ but they are here to create a healthy school atmosphere in which the children feel safe and happy, know they are valued, academically challenged, and that their personal, social and emotional development is nurtured. Class teachers are responsible for making links between a child’s social and emotional wellbeing and their academic progress. They provide pastoral care for their students. Heads of Year focus on safeguarding, student attendance, behaviour, wellbeing and academic achievement. Our school counsellor is always available to offer advice to students, parents and staff at crucial turning points in their lives. The counsellor works closely with the Teachers, the Primary Leadership Team and the parents to maximize learning outcomes, ensure positive wellbeing or liaise with external agencies to deal with students' concerns if they cannot be dealt with at school. Finally, our Primary Leadership Team oversees cognitive, social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of the student body, their safety and healthy growth. Their absolute priorities are safeguarding and child protection.
Example Report
Reporting Timeline
October
Parent-Teacher Consultations take place and each parent receives a comprehensive set of notes detailing how their child has settled into their new Year Group. This is also an opportunity to share targets and areas for development during the face-to-face meeting. Teachers and parents will discuss Attainment, Progress, Achievement and Wellbeing as well as next steps in learning and how to help at home.
November
Celebration of Learning morning takes place. Parents are invited into school to join their child in the classroom. This is an opportunity to showcase the work they have produced during Term 1 and celebrate achievements. This is also an opportunity for informal discussions with the teachers.
February
Parent-Teacher Consultations take place and each parent receives a comprehensive set of notes detailing how their child continues to progress. This is also an opportunity to share targets and areas for development during the face-to-face meeting. Teachers and parents will discuss Attainment, Progress, Achievement and Wellbeing as well as next steps in learning and how to help at home.
April/May
Celebration of Learning morning takes place. Parents are invited into school to join their child in the classroom. This is an opportunity to showcase the work they have produced during Term 2 and celebrate achievements. This is also an opportunity for informal discussions with the teachers.
June
End of Year Data Report is shared with parents. This data report will give a summary of Attainment, Progress and Achievement for each curriculum area. In addition, specialist teacher reports will be shared for Languages, Music and PE.
June
Following the End of Year Data Report, each family will receive a personalised Video Report from their child's class teacher. This is an opportunity for class teachers to highlight significant achievements and reflect on 'wow' moments. Parents and students are then invited to leave comments below the video which will be shared in Seesaw.