NFER Products and Services

Transcription

1 NFER Products and Services Primary Spring 2016

2 Why NFER? NFER is a charity with a worldwide reputation as a leading educational research and assessment organisation, built up over decades of working to improve education and life chances for learners. Schools are key partners for us and we continually work to develop ways to help teachers and school leaders improve pupil performance, teaching and assessment. We use our evidence from research to provide accessible information, and our range of innovative products and services to help schools gather and analyse data and demonstrate improvement. As a not for profit organisation and a registered charity, we reinvest all our income in supporting our mission to improve the lives of learners. We engage with 55% of all state-funded schools in England 46% of all state-funded schools in Wales Evidence for what works in schools We publish a wide range of evidence based publications to support teachers and headteachers, including practical guides, professional development tools, research reports and the results of Teacher Voice surveys. Topics covered include: z Assessment z Curriculum subjects and extracurricular activities z Evidence informed education z Teaching and pedagogy z Transition between schools z Education to employment z Careers guidance z Family, community and social issues z Special education needs and alternative provision z Support for vulnerable groups z School leadership and management z Technology and innovation. Sign up for our free monthly e newsletters, NFER Direct and NFER Direct for Schools, at NFER Direct for schools July 2015 Research Publications Schools About About To find free and paid for PDFs, books and information, visit T: F: E: products@nfer.ac.uk

3 At a glance The NFER portfolio of products Early Years Key Stage 1 Key Stage 2 Year Page R NFER Reception Baseline Assessment School Surveys NEW 2015 NATIONAL DATA NFER Tests Suite 2 summer and autumn NEW NFER Tests Suite 2 Analysis and Marking Service NEW Guides: Assessing writing in Key Stage 2 Research in Schools: Self Review Tool Research in Schools: Resources Enquiring Schools Research Mark Contact us Keep in touch online. For our latest news, sign up for our free monthly e newsletters, NFER Direct and NFER Direct for Schools, at Place an order. Order and pay online, where applicable, or complete an order form downloaded from and fax to or post to NFER, The Mere, Upton Park, Slough, Berkshire SL1 2DQ Speak to us. Our enquiry line team leaders and their team provide a dedicated phone line and enquiry service from to every working day. Telephone products@nfer.ac.uk T: F: E: products@nfer.ac.uk 3

4 NFER Reception Baseline Assessment The practical, child friendly activity assessment An interactive resource based assessment for pupils starting in Reception. The outcome offers a starting point for measuring progress over the primary school years. It covers: z Communication, Language and Literacy z Mathematics z Foundations of Learning checklist (optional). School pack including: DfE approved supplier z Teacher administration guide z Resource pack including items you need to conduct the assessment z Online administration instructions. Paper pupil records are also available at an additional cost. What are the benefits? Key features Practical, child-friendly assessment that is in the hands of the practitioner Quick and easy to administer with everything you need to do the assessment provided Face to face assessment between teacher and child Mixture of predetermined tasks and observational checklists for practitioners to administer Standardised with a nationally representative sample of around 3,000 children in 500 schools Includes an additional free Foundations of Learning checklist to be used in conjunction with the core components You have other children coming up and saying, Can I have my turn now? Reception Teacher Is the assessment online? There is no online element for the child, who will be assessed through a mixture of practical one to one tasks and observational checklists. During the assessment the practitioner may choose to record observations directly on the online system using a computer or laptop, or via the individual paper pupil record booklet, entering the results on the online system at another time. Key benefits Practitioner who knows the child best can be sensitive to each individual child No additional training is required for Early Years practitioners Engaging assessment means the child does not feel they are being assessed Criteria are not ambiguous, allowing easy to make judgements and producing easy to interpret results Assessment is robust and based on feedback from schools, teachers and pupils Additional checklist gives a holistic picture of the child when used in conjunction with the core components z New customers: 225 for the school pack including items you need to do the assessment z Renewal customers: 185 (excluding resource pack) 225 (including resource pack) z Optional individual pupil record packs: 10 per pack of 10. Find out more: T: F: E: products@nfer.ac.uk

5 School Surveys Gather feedback from parents, pupils and staff A complete school surveys service including online questionnaires for parents, pupils and staff, with interactive reports. Surveys can be run independently, or combined into one annual survey. There are three types of survey: z General. Gives a broad picture of your school, which is ideal for annual feedback and in preparation for an inspection z Themed. Shorter surveys ideal for delving deeper into a theme. Choose from three (listed in the table below) z Write your own. Ask your own questions, up to 12, to make a survey specific to your school. z Comparisons to national data provide a vital benchmark z Saves valuable staff time z Asks the right kind of questions, written in the right way z Independent surveys generate a higher response rate due to guaranteed anonymity z Data analysis is provided via online interactive reports with key findings highlighted z Results help prepare for Ofsted inspection. z Comparisons to national data updated summer 2015 NEW z Interactive online reports with clear summaries z Online (mobile enabled) surveys for parents, pupils and staff z A choice of three topical themes each for parents and pupils. My school says it is important to eat healthy food Please choose one answer My school says it is important to exercise or do sport Please choose one answer Surveys are engaging and easy to complete Your school All schools Yes No Not sure Yes No Not sure Key findings 1 of 5 DEMONSTRATION DATA Interactive online reports include comparisons to national data Parent Pupil Staff Online Paper Online Online General Themed Behaviour 75 Behaviour 100 Behaviour 75 n/a Communication 75 Communication 100 Learning and Curriculum 75 n/a Teaching 75 Teaching 100 Safety and Bullying 75 n/a Write Your Own n/a Prices exclude VAT, are for primary schools and do not vary by size of school. Parent paper surveys include printing and postage. Find out more: T: F: E: products@nfer.ac.uk 5

6 NFER Tests Suite 2 summer and autumn NEW Tests for monitoring pupil progress A new suite of NFER Tests for use in summer and autumn terms. Suite 2 is fully aligned to the 2014 national curriculum and standardised with pupils taught this curriculum. NFER Tests help to monitor pupil progress by linking within and across year groups, and by using age-standardised scores and standardised scores. They can also help to identify individual pupils strengths and weaknesses, in relation to age related expectations. Reading tests for Years 3, 4 and 5: Reading booklets; reading answer booklets; comprehensive teacher guide Mathematics tests for Years 3, 4 and 5: Three papers available for each year group (including one arithmetic paper); comprehensive teacher guide Spelling tests for Years 3, 4 and 5: Three standardised tests for each year group; teacher guide for each year group with formative assessment guidance Grammar and punctuation tests for Years 3, 4 and 5: Standardised tests for each year group; comprehensive teacher guide with formative assessment guidance. When are they available? Suite 2 summer: Mathematics, reading and spelling tests are available to order now for delivery from February Grammar and punctuation tests are available to pre-order soon for delivery from Autumn Suite 2 autumn: Mathematics, reading, and grammar and punctuation tests are available to pre order from early Spring 2016 for delivery in Autumn Spelling: Tests for Year 5 are available now (set of three). Spelling tests for Years 3 and 4 are available to order now for delivery from February z When used together, autumn and summer tests measure progress within year groups and the summer tests will measure progress year on year z Standardised in over 80 schools with more than 4,500 pupils who have been taught the 2014 national curriculum z Age-standardised scores and standardised scores identify strengths and weaknesses (standardised scores available from June 2016) z Shows whether pupils are reaching age-related expectations in the 2014 national curriculum z Question level information shows how the class is performing on different types of question as a group, as sub groups using background data and against the national average z Provides evidence to support teacher assessment z Optional Analysis and Marking Service saves valuable teacher time (see page 8). 6 T: F: E: products@nfer.ac.uk

7 How Suite 2 relates to Suite 1 Results from Suite 1 and Suite 2 are comparable due to the large, nationally representative samples used to standardise the tests. Pupils who have taken a test from Suite 1 can take the following year s test from Suite 2 and progress can be demonstrated and measured through their age standardised scores. How can NFER Tests be used to measure progress? The new tests are linked within each year group and year on year, allowing teachers to monitor progress now that national curriculum levels have been removed. From June 2016, standardised scores will be available, allowing teachers to show progress over time. Included in Suite 2 summer Reading z Unthemed texts in line with the updated Year 6 national tests Mathematics z Written arithmetic paper for Years 3, 4 and 5 z Untiered tests in line with updated Year 6 national tests z New layout and format now in line with the updated national tests for Year 6 z Increased emphasis on number in line with the focus on 2014 national curriculum Spelling z New spelling tests for Years 3 and 4 (Year 5 already available and is aligned to the 2014 national curriculum) Grammar and punctuation Available for delivery from Autumn 2016 Suite 2 summer available to order for delivery from February 2016 Reading and mathematics teacher pack (includes teacher guides and access to analysis tools) Pack qty Price* 1 12 Reading booklet pupil pack Reading answer booklet pupil pack 10 9 Mathematics test Mathematics test Mathematics written arithmetic paper 10 9 Spelling teacher guide 1 20 Spelling answer booklet pupil pack (each pack contains 10 booklets of each of the three spelling tests) COMING SOON Grammar and punctuation teacher guide COMING SOON Grammar and punctuation answer booklet pupil pack *Plus postage and packaging Find out more: T: F: E: products@nfer.ac.uk 7

8 NFER Tests Analysis and Marking Service A snapshot of pupils performance Available to order now for marking in Summer 2016 A completely independent analysis and marking service for NFER Tests Suite 2 summer. z Management of every stage of the marking and analysis of your optional tests from NFER z A tailored report containing question-level and test level data z Data to support teacher assessment and development. A standard administration fee of 185 plus VAT, plus a per pupil, per test charge starting from For more information on NFER Tests Suite 2, see pages 6 and 7. It is an excellent service. The data is very useable and it saves hours of staff time that can be used on other aspects of the children s education. St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School, St Helens Find out more: Practical Guides Assessing writing in Key Stage 2 A set of four practical guides to assessing writing during Key Stage 2, to help teachers make accurate and formative writing assessments. These practical guides exemplify and discuss different genres of writing and how to assess pupils work in the context of the new curriculum and the particular emphasis on grammar. A set of guides for lower and upper Key Stage 2 covering two genres of writing per guide. There are different guides for lower and upper Key Stage 2. z Help to assess a pupil s work for evidence to map progress and inform target-setting z Easy-to-use colour coding to identify specific areas to look for in assessing pupils writing, particularly in relation to the new curriculum and the focus on grammar z Examples of pupils writing to assist in moderation z High quality guidance to aid reliable and valid teacher assessment. Each guide costs plus postage and packing. order and pay online Find out more: T: F: E: products@nfer.ac.uk

9 Research in Schools Building your research skills Whether you re just starting out on the road of engaging in and with research, or are looking for more advanced, specialist techniques to use in your research-engaged school, NFER can help in a variety of ways. Self Review Tool Resources A free online tool to help you review how research engaged your school is. z Eight key statements defining a research engaged school z A downloadable chart of your review z A downloadable report of suggested next steps z Links to resources to help further your work. Information and guidance on the whole research process from accessing evidence based research, to carrying out practitioner-led enquiry. z How to guides a series of downloadable PDF guides introducing research methods z Web pages free online guidance on topics to research and methods of research z Books various books on methodology z Community case studies, videos and articles from research engaged schools. z Involve all your staff in the Full Review to get a whole school picture z Or do a Quick Review yourself without setting up a free account z Track changes over time z Links to relevant resources. The tool is free for both the Quick and Full Review. We really liked how clear and simple it was to use overall. Helen Sykes, Research Leader Find out more: free online z Simple ideas to help you get started z Build knowledge and understanding of different research methods z Learn how to access the existing evidence base z See how your peers have engaged in and with research. The web pages are freely available. The How to guides start from 4.00 (plus VAT) and the collection of five guides is (plus VAT). The books are from order and pay online & more links from to help Research Leads Tweet by Jude Enright, Deputy Headteacher Find out more: T: F: E: products@nfer.ac.uk 9

10 Enquiring Schools Improving teaching and learning through research A tailored CPD programme built around enquiry based projects. Staff look at the latest evidence about effective practice, design disciplined enquiry projects and measure the impact of these changes, all supported by an NFER facilitator. z Support, advice and coaching from a dedicated facilitator z Advice in developing enquiries linked to school needs z Help identifying and adapting relevant research z Guidance on methodology, analysis and dissemination z The option to apply for the NFER Research Mark at no extra cost. z Develop more innovative teaching to inspire children, based on solid evidence z Stimulate collaborative enquiry, motivating and energising staff z Develop your capacity to be a reflective, self improving school. How long does it last? Programmes usually last 12 months, with an average of five facilitator led days. Start dates can be varied to suit your school. Alternatively, single day training sessions in your school are available where staff learn how to access research evidence, get an understanding of basic research techniques and develop their own questions for investigation. By using these methods, we empowered teachers to use research in a way that was of practical use to them in the classroom. Carole Thomas, Assistant Headteacher, Paget Primary School The cost of the primary school programme is typically 3,000 4,000 plus VAT, depending on the agreed programme and level of support. The programme can also be run with staff from a cluster of schools. Please call for more information on pricing for clusters. NEW The single day session is 1,000 plus VAT. Find out more: T: F: E: products@nfer.ac.uk

11 Research Mark The mark of quality research in your school or college This thorough and comprehensive award scheme gives recognition for your school s engagement with research and enquiry, based on eight essential elements of a research engaged school or college (see Self-Review Tool on page 9). It includes a visit to your school by an experienced NFER research associate who will give valuable feedback, recommendations and a full report. z Clear criteria based on eight statements that are elements of a research-engaged school Registration is 50 and the full application is 750 (plus VAT). This includes the visit from the research associate and final report. The Enquiring Schools programme (see page 10) works towards this Research Mark. If you would like support in your Research Mark application, please phone for more details. Find out more: z Secure and simple online application process z Visit to your school by an experienced NFER research associate z A report with feedback and recommendations to further your engagement z A logo and certificate to use in your publicity for three years. St Fidelis Catholic Primary School receives the NFER Research Mark Official media partners: z Consultation from an NFER research associate helps with improvement planning z Acknowledges your use of research to improve teaching and learning Supported by: z Gives structure to your research programme. Association of Colleges The NFER Research Mark has played a central role in developing our senior leaders understanding of how to support teachers in their own critical evaluation of pedagogy. Caroline Quirke, Deputy Headteacher T: F: E: products@nfer.ac.uk 11

12 NFER provides evidence for excellence through its independence and insights, the breadth of its work, its connections, and a focus on outcomes. Contact us Keep in touch online. For our latest news, sign up for our free monthly e newsletters, NFER Direct and NFER Direct for Schools, at Place an order. Order and pay online, where applicable, or complete an order form downloaded from and fax to or post to NFER, The Mere, Upton Park, Slough, Berkshire SL1 2DQ Speak to us. Our enquiry line team leaders and their team provide a dedicated phone line and enquiry service from to every working day. Telephone products@nfer.ac.uk National Foundation for Educational Research The Mere, Upton Park Slough, Berks SL1 2DQ T: F: E: enquiries@nfer.ac.uk