Management Information Sheet
Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
Local authorities have a statutory duty to monitor the administration of the Year 1 phonics screening check. This involves us in visiting at least ten percent of schools within Norfolk. In 2012, in accordance with guidance of the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) of the DfE, advisers from Norfolk County Council Children's services will visit a sample of schools during the week (18-22 June 2012) in which the phonics screening check is being administered.
The monitoring adviser will check that the procedures outlined in the Assessment and Reporting arrangements booklet (ARA) and Check Administrator's guide (CAG) are followed. If the check is being administered when the monitoring visitor arrives, they will ask to observe between two and five checks, depending on the size of the cohort. A discussion about which children should be observed should take place first, in order to ensure that they are unlikely to be put off by having another adult in the room. The monitoring adviser will not judge the teacher's scoring, although they may discuss how they should score the check and provide advice based upon the content of the CAG and training video. Depending on when the monitoring visit takes place they will also look at the areas set out below.
Delivery
Is the delivery note available to confirm the school has checked they have received the correct materials? Does the number of packs received match the delivery note?
Storage
Are the materials stored securely and unopened before the start of the check administration window?
Once the school has started to administer the checks, when not in use, and up until the last check has been administered, which may be until Friday 29th June, are the check materials being securely stored?
Administration
Are the checks being administered in line with the procedures outlined in the ARA and CAG?
Is the teacher administering the check correctly, for example ensuring they do not give the child any inappropriate help?
Check room
Have any wall displays been covered? Is the room suitable for the check?
Modified materials
Have any check materials for children been modified? If so, has this been done appropriately?
School responsibilities
Headteachers have a statutory duty to cooperate with monitoring visits. Refusal to allow a visit could lead to suspicion of maladministration and further investigation.
After the monitoring visit
During each visit a Monitoring visit form is completed. A copy of this form can be downloaded from the Department's website at www.education.gov.uk.
At the end of the visit, the monitoring adviser will discuss their findings with the headteacher or appropriate member of staff. If the monitoring adviser feels that the administration procedures outlined in the CAG and/or ARA have not been followed correctly, they will discuss them with the headteacher and teacher. If they feel that the security procedures outlined in the CAG and/or ARA have not been followed correctly, they will explain this on the form and send it on to STA. These security issues may be subject to STA investigation. Before the monitoring adviser leaves the school they will ask the headteacher or appropriate member of staff to sign the monitoring visit form to confirm the visit and that any feedback about the administration of the phonics screening check has been given to the school. A copy of the form will be left with the school. The completed form will also be given to the STA monitoring visits agency for reporting purposes.
Please note that schools have already been notified of details for submitting the required data, but in case of any queries please refer to links below.
MI Sheet 45/2012 "Recording and Return of Assessment Information 2012 (Primary).
ICT Shared Services website for the Yr 1 Phonics Checklist, which gives step-by-step guidance on completing your Phonics return in SIMs.
Janet Warburton
Senior Adviser
The monitoring adviser will check that the procedures outlined in the Assessment and Reporting arrangements booklet (ARA) and Check Administrator's guide (CAG) are followed. If the check is being administered when the monitoring visitor arrives, they will ask to observe between two and five checks, depending on the size of the cohort. A discussion about which children should be observed should take place first, in order to ensure that they are unlikely to be put off by having another adult in the room. The monitoring adviser will not judge the teacher's scoring, although they may discuss how they should score the check and provide advice based upon the content of the CAG and training video. Depending on when the monitoring visit takes place they will also look at the areas set out below.
Delivery
Is the delivery note available to confirm the school has checked they have received the correct materials? Does the number of packs received match the delivery note?
Storage
Are the materials stored securely and unopened before the start of the check administration window?
Once the school has started to administer the checks, when not in use, and up until the last check has been administered, which may be until Friday 29th June, are the check materials being securely stored?
Administration
Are the checks being administered in line with the procedures outlined in the ARA and CAG?
Is the teacher administering the check correctly, for example ensuring they do not give the child any inappropriate help?
Check room
Have any wall displays been covered? Is the room suitable for the check?
Modified materials
Have any check materials for children been modified? If so, has this been done appropriately?
School responsibilities
Headteachers have a statutory duty to cooperate with monitoring visits. Refusal to allow a visit could lead to suspicion of maladministration and further investigation.
After the monitoring visit
During each visit a Monitoring visit form is completed. A copy of this form can be downloaded from the Department's website at www.education.gov.uk.
At the end of the visit, the monitoring adviser will discuss their findings with the headteacher or appropriate member of staff. If the monitoring adviser feels that the administration procedures outlined in the CAG and/or ARA have not been followed correctly, they will discuss them with the headteacher and teacher. If they feel that the security procedures outlined in the CAG and/or ARA have not been followed correctly, they will explain this on the form and send it on to STA. These security issues may be subject to STA investigation. Before the monitoring adviser leaves the school they will ask the headteacher or appropriate member of staff to sign the monitoring visit form to confirm the visit and that any feedback about the administration of the phonics screening check has been given to the school. A copy of the form will be left with the school. The completed form will also be given to the STA monitoring visits agency for reporting purposes.
Please note that schools have already been notified of details for submitting the required data, but in case of any queries please refer to links below.
MI Sheet 45/2012 "Recording and Return of Assessment Information 2012 (Primary).
ICT Shared Services website for the Yr 1 Phonics Checklist, which gives step-by-step guidance on completing your Phonics return in SIMs.
Janet Warburton
Senior Adviser