P Scales and Target Setting > P Scales
P Scales
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What are the P Scales?
The P scales are an assessment tool for use with those pupils who make progress both below and within the early levels of the National Curriculum. They provide a form of summative assessment intended for end of year or end of key stage reporting in much the same way as the level descriptions of the National Curriculum.
The following are some of the main benefits of the P Scales:
• They provide the ability to track pupil progress up to Level One of the National Curriculum
• They provide the ability to set targets for children at early developmental levels
• They provide a common language within and between schools for pupils with special educational needs
• They provide a more inclusive assessment framework which acknowledges all pupils regardless
of their attainment
Whereas previously the progress of many pupils with special educational needs was described using the phrase “working towards Level One” [of the National Curriculum], the P scales now allow progress in all National Curriculum subjects, together with RE and PSHE and Citizenship, to be described using a series of statements ranging from 'P level 1' through to 'P level 8'. The first three P levels are common to all subjects and are particularly relevant for pupils with profound and multiple difficulties whilst P levels 4 - 8 are subject specific and of relevance to a wider group of pupils Further information regarding the P scales can be found on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) website.
Who Should be Assessed Using the P Scales?
P scales should be used for pupils between 5 and 16 who are working below National Curriculum level 1 and have also been identified as having special educational needs. They are not appropriate for use with children who do not have Special Educational Needs, even if they are working below National Curriculum level 1, for example some children with English as an additional language.
Requirement to use the P Scales
From September 2007 it became a requirement for all schools to use P Levels to report on pupils who are attaining below National Curriculum Level 1. This means that teachers are required to make assessments of these pupils using the P level attainment scales and schools will report on these assessments.
Data Entry
Teacher assessment of P Scales now forms part of national curriculum assessment and the National Assessment Agency (NAA) will collect data on teacher assessments at the end of Key Stages 1 (collected by the Department for Children, Schools and Families), 2 and 3. Details are in the 2008 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements that were published by the NAA in September.
Scheme that Supports the Assessment of P Scales
The ‘P scale’ descriptors are broad and multi-faceted and teachers have to make ‘best fit’ judgements when applying them to pupils. There is now a range of commercially available material which expands on the P scale statements and /or provides objective assessment tasks for them as well as providing help with recording and monitoring the progress of individuals and cohorts.
This stands for “P Scale Assessment of the National Curriculum from EQUALS”. It is produced by ‘EQUALS’ who have devised assessment sheets for each of the P Scale items in English, Maths, Science and PSHE and Citizenship. Each sheet gives details of a task and success criteria for each P level and up to and including Level 2a of the National Curriculum. This gives teachers an objective method of measuring P scale attainment and progress. EQUALS provide schools submitting their data with graphs and tables showing the average attainment of their pupils set against the national attainment profile together with value added feedback and predictive scores. |
EQUALS also produce schemes of work that relate directly to the QCDA curriculum guidelines for pupils with learning difficulties. |
Guidance on the Use of P Scales
QDCA has produced a guidance pack “Using the P Scales”. The DVD and booklet can be purchased from QDCA via their order line 08700 606015 (reference QDCA/05/1589). It is designed to help teachers of pupils who work below Level One of the National Curriculum. The pack covers assessment, moderation and reporting of pupil attainment in English, Mathematics and Science. The purpose of the pack is to help staff to develop a common understanding of the P scales and their uses.
Planning and Delivering an Appropriate Curriculum
QDCA have produced a series of booklets aimed at supporting teachers working with pupils who attain at levels below age related expectations. This has been published as “Planning, teaching and assessing the curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties” and comprises the following materials:
• General guidelines
• Developing skills
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Information and communication technology
• Design and technology
• History
• Geography
• Modern foreign languages
• Art and design
• Music
• Physical education
• Religious education
• Personal social and health education/citizenship.
The guidelines support the planning, development and implementation of the curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties. They draw on effective practice across a range of schools and can be used in mainstream and special primary and secondary schools, specialised units and independent schools. They also provide support to the range of services that work with pupils with learning difficulties. The subject materials include performance descriptions showing pupils' progress up to level 1 of the national curriculum, which can be used to recognise attainment and structure teaching.