Why Choose the IB Primary Years Programme?

How is assessment carried out and when?

Chatsworth: Assessment is a critical part of the PYP. Again, students are at the centre of this ongoing process, developing as self and peer assessors, learning how to become an assessment capable student. In the PYP, learning is monitored, documented, measured and reported on systematically and regularly. The purpose of assessment is to improve student learning, so setting and working towards personal academic goals for students is critical. Students organise and lead parent student teacher conferences and student led conferences each year to share their learning, as well as regularly update a learning portfolio.

OWIS: Teachers are constantly assessing the learning in their class. This is what we call ‘formative assessment’, whereby the teacher uses all learning engagements to ascertain what the children know, how their skills have developed and what needs to be covered next. As well as formative assessment, at OWIS we have four summative assessment points each year. We don’t believe in allowing ‘tests’ to cause the children (or their families!) extra stress, so these take place in the format of classroom activities and children may not even be aware that they are being assessed.

GEMS: The assessment takes place every day in every classroom. Mostly this is done through a formative or ongoing assessment of student understanding. Formal assessments take place at the end of each unit of inquiry where students are assessed based on the unit of work they have recently completed.

Next: How well does the PYP prepare students for the IB Diploma Programme?