Assessment in Secondary Schools

Abstract

This report presents the Inspectorate’s findings on the procedures and practice of assessment within schools in the secondary sector.In the main, the evidence for the report was gathered by District Inspectors(DIs) during planned district visits; in a few schools, the information was collected during a general inspection (GI). During the visits, Inspectors held discussions with the principal, members of the senior management team (SMT) and teachers; they observed a number of lessons and examined a sample of the pupils’ work. This report indicates that there is much sound practice in schools with regard to assessment and that, for many schools, aspects of assessment are a major priority in their development plan. Much time and effort are invested by teachers and schools in monitoring their pupils’ progress in respect of both statutory and internal assessment procedures. There is, however, room for improvement in a number of important aspects of provision and practice in assessment which, if addressed, offer the prospect of significant improvement in the quality and appropriateness of teaching and learning and, ultimately, in higher achievement by the pupils.