Primary schools have a long tradition of gathering summative assessment information. This kind of assessment of learning has traditionally been distinguished from the more interactive, formative, continuous interchange between teacher or practitioner and learner that characterises assessment for learning. Typically, the information generated by such assessment has not been used to shape and refine what happens in the classroom, nor has it often been discussed with children and parents or carers. However, there are ways of using summative assessment information that can inform and contribute to some of the approaches to assessment for learning.

The following links provide more information about using summative assessment formatively.

Tracking tutorial and tracking sheet

DCSF/RAISEonline: Evaluating school performance (Ref: 03861-2006EXE-EN-01)