A question for Mrz or Feenie!

[rollonthesummer]

Can you well-informed folk possibly clarify something for me, please?!

If a y1 child is working below level 1, should they be assessed using p levels or the EYFS?

What about if they are SEN?
What about if they are EAL?
Or EAL but have never attended school at all (in their home county or here) so might clearly be able (so not SEN) but currently have no English?

There is some confusion amongst my SMT and I would like to clear things up. Thank you so much in advance!

They should only be assessed using p levels if they have SEN

"The P scales are designed, like the programmes of study they relate to, for
learners from 5 to 16 years of age. They’re particularly relevant to pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities. But you can use them with any learner working below level 1 who has SEN."

EAL is not considered SEN

That is great, thank you. So if a child is working below level 1 in year one but they don't have SEN or if they are EAL, what should be used instead of p levels?

At our school we carry on using EYFS assessment in year 1. P levels in year 2 for the children not yet level 1.

Riverside mum-do you use p levels for children in y2 who are below level 1 but who aren't SEN?

I'm still confused!

I understand P levels are used for assessing children with SEN but what if they arrive at school from eg Poland at age 6 or 7 and have no English at all. Should the EYFS be used or P levels?

I presume y1 children working below level 1 (without SEN) will continue to be assessed against the EYFS?

Does Primary Target Tracker give you the option to assess at EYFS levels? Ours only seems to let you enter p levels or NC levels. I know there is an EYFS Target Tracker program in reception but the rest of the school don't have that software.

If you check with EMTAS at the LEA they should have an alternative assessment for EAL pupils new to the country.

Target Tracker gives you the option on W (not SEN) or W (P scales)

Some schools do use p levels wrongly for children who are behind but not SEN

www.gov.uk/teacher-assessment-using-p-scales#when-to-apply-p-scales When to use performance scales

Using performance scales (P scales) is statutory when reporting attainment for children with special educational needs who are working below level 1 of the national curriculum.

P scales are not required for children whose subject level overall is level 1 or above, even if one or more of the components is below level 1.

So, Mrz-would you simply level non-SEN children in y1 who are working below level one as W with nothing more specific?

If you are using target tracker yes

That's why my management don't like it then. Children would start y1 on w and end on a w, showing no progress. What do the y1 teachers in your school use, Mrz?

We would assess against EYFS Profile for the first term only but we record using Target Tracker so W (not SEN) but we would have evidence of progress in books even if the child hasn't moved to the next sub/level.

sorry should add for EAL pupils we use LEA alternative assessment record if working below L1 but would record on TT as W