On-Entry Assessment

At St Michael’s, we aim to understand every child’s strengths, starting points and needs as quickly as possible when they join our school, whether they are beginning in EYFS or joining another year group as an in-year admission.

Our approach brings together information from families and previous settings, classroom observation, existing assessment information and age-appropriate assessment. Where further information is needed, additional diagnostic assessment may be used to help us identify gaps, understand barriers to learning and ensure teaching and support are matched appropriately.

Assessment is proportionate to the individual child. We use reliable information that is already available, avoid unnecessary reassessment and allow children an appropriate settling period before initial judgements are finalised.

Our On-Entry Assessment and Early Identification Framework explains our approach in more detail, including assessment in EYFS, reading and phonics, writing, mathematics, communication and language, EAL, SEMH and the early identification of possible SEND.