Learning & Teaching

Why We Assess Student Learning at Holy Cross

At Holy Cross, assessing children’s learning is an essential part of understanding their progress, identifying their needs, and tailoring our teaching to help every child grow. Assessments provide us with valuable information about what children know, what they can do, and what they need to work on next.

We use assessments for a variety of purposes:

To guide teaching: Assessments help us understand each child’s strengths and areas for growth so we can plan lessons that meet their needs.
To track progress: Regular assessments allow us to monitor how children are developing in key areas over time.
To inform parents: Assessment data is a tool for communicating with families about their child’s learning journey.
To reflect on our practices: Assessments give teachers insight into how effective our teaching strategies are and where adjustments may be needed.

Ultimately, we assess thoughtfully and regularly at Holy Cross to benefit children's learning.

Assessments at Holy Cross

Below is an overview of the main assessments we use in Literacy and Numeracy at Holy Cross:

MOI (Mathematics Online Interview)

Who: Foundation and Year 1 children
When: First half of Term 1
What: A one-on-one assessment where children demonstrate their understanding of counting, numbers, and basic problem-solving.

DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)

Who: All children (Foundation to Year 6)
When: Conducted termly, and sometimes more frequently
What: Quick assessments focusing on foundational literacy skills like phonics, fluency, and comprehension.

PAT R (Progressive Achievement Test in Reading)

Who: Year 1 to Year 6 children
When: Term 4
What: An online reading assessment that evaluates comprehension and reading skills.

PAT M (Progressive Achievement Test in Mathematics)

Who: Year 1 to Year 6 children
When: Term 4
What: An online mathematics assessment that evaluates numeracy skills, problem-solving, and mathematical reasoning.

PAT Spelling

Who: Year 1 to Year 6 children
When: Term 4
What: Assesses spelling patterns, rules, and vocabulary knowledge.

Essential Assessment (Literacy and Mathematics)

Who: All children
When: Ongoing throughout the year
What: Used at the start and end of each unit to check understanding and track growth. It also acts as a formative tool during units to help teachers adjust their teaching.

PAT Science (NEW in 2025)

Who: Year 1 to Year 6 children
When: Term 4
What: A science assessment focusing on understanding of key scientific concepts and inquiry skills.

We are committed to using these assessments to support children's learning in meaningful ways.