Association for Achievement and Improvement through Assessment

Leading in Learning through Assessment
Web site:
http://www.aaia.org.uk / President: Liz Depper/Angela Cale ()
Vice President: Juliet Sizmur, ()
Secretary: Pauline Cue, ()
Treasurer: Mike Viner, ()
Membership Secretary: Jenny Short()
Communications Officer: David Bartlett ()
Immediate Past President Keith Remnant ()
MAAIA Regional Meeting
Thursday 7th November 2013 1300-15:45
Coventry Corporate Training Centre
Elm Bank
1.  Attendance and apologies / Apologies
1.  Cathy Openshaw Coventry LA (Chair)
2.  Andy Checketts Walsall - Serco Alternate – mins)
3.  Gill Bladon Wolverhampton
4.  Mavis Humphreys Independent
5.  Tracy Mayo Walsall – Serco
6.  Jo Sharpe Nottinghamshire
7.  Mick Marks Independent
8.  Anne Derry Walsall
9.  Mel Handy Leicester City
10.  Rose Parker Warwickshire
11.  Peter Brown Independent
12.  Julie Andrews Worcestershire
13.  Kevin McKie Shropshire
14.  Liz Kitts Notts / Helen Masefield
Coral Golding
Jane Aldridge
Ann Davis
Julie Barton
David Bartlett
Sue Shelton
Hayley Dilkes
Danielle Bamburger
Julie Ash
Pat Peel
Mark Aske
Elizabeth Lewin
2.  Minutes of last meeting July 2013 /matters arising from regional mtg.
AAIA reported as “limping on” with diminished numbers of staff across the region.
New Alternate needed to replace Andy Checketts. (Final meeting)
New Chair expected to be needed as Cathy Openshaw may need to cease.
Need for a new regional rep.
Elm Bank venue no longer available.
Forest Lodge venue in Leicestershire available for the next mtg 14 July2014.
Anne Derry (Walsall) offered the Education Development (EDC) building for future events in Walsall (Pelsall Lane WS4 1NG) – just refreshment costs.
3.  Matters arising from regional mtg.
Membership considerations at Exec Mtg:
Welcome Pack for new members being considered – no decision yet.
OFSTED expressed willingness to meet with AAIA re assessment and the inspection framework. No statement from AAIA yet.
Jenny Short is the new membership secretary. Elizabeth has stood down and is no longer a member of the Nat Exec. / Action
URGENT:
Members to consider what roles that they may put themselves forward for via contact with Cathy Openshaw.
4.  Updates
Leic LA Assessment 0-11 group enquired of inter LA support/activities. Walsall members outlined their activities that may benefit others.
LAs generally not leading assessment activities across their areas. In Coventry HTs are commissioning LA support assessment activities. Beau manor Conference to address curriculum development. Sec schs reported as lacking awareness of transition issues. Sharing of LA practice to be considered across AAIA members.
Shrinkage of LA staff reported by a number of members, much uncertainty and low morale.
FEEDBACK from Birm AAIA 3 day conference.
Deemed to be just satisfactory overall by some group members. It was considered that the presenter remit did not match the delegates’ expectations from the agenda.
A possible alternative was considered in the form of a termly day conference led by heads from outstanding schools to deliver a focussed brief for audiences to benefit from. Ref made for group members to view Performance Tables website and compare data for similar schools. / Consider across LA shared practice to maximise resources and impact.
5.  Regional Plans.
EYFS Moderators’ Half Day Conf 22 Jan at the EDC, Pelsall Lane, Walsall WS4 1NG. 1300-1600. Organised by Tracy Mayo
Notts LA offered to support session re. “exceeding” exemplification.
KS1 Moderation Conference 26 Feb 2014 in Solihull – venue tbc
(Planning mtg 17 December in Sandwell – details tbc)
Areas requested –Reading and maths day/half day tbc.
KS2 13 Jan 2014 Afternoon Conference at Forest Lodge, Charnor Rd, Leicester LE3 6LH. Planning mtg to tbc. Items to be sent to Forest Lodge Centre.
Beau Manor Conference. 11 March 2014. £31.90 per head. Half day.
Ref to Assessment and Accountability, Sharing Curric Assessment strategies.
Planned by Cathy et al Detailed agenda to follow. Consideration to be given to DfE assessment plans.
STA Briefings
Issues remain with EYFS profile. Ref Doc from Bristol “Where have all of the levels gone?” Distributed by Gill Bladon.
EYFS data. Variable outcomes across the area.
Recent guidance to inspectors as reported by Mick Mark and papers circulated by Gill Bladon:
Mick Marks suggested that members challenge inspectors more robustly.
Teams to do more than two observations in EYFS and 6 EFs as essential evidence gathering to evaluate attainment on entry, overall attainment, L+M, achievement and use of assessment in Learning Journals. Focus on KS1 assessment scrutiny and spend on PE and impact of funding.
Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) (secondary) re careers to be closely evaluated. Much focus upon vulnerable groups. Agreed that tracking is not an exact science. GD circulated teacher self evaluation proforma “Towards Effective Learning” which was appreciated by the group and methods of use considered.
MM outlined inspectors’ lesson observation considerations to evaluate so much in a short space of time making judgements variable as they have to include so many elements such as achievement as main focus plus Behaviour, teaching, use of assessment, L+M and SMSC, progress of groups, CLA, GRT,FSM and PP.
GD circulated “Beh and Safety” doc for consideration. / Delegates to refer to Tracy Mayo to confirm details.
Leaders of each conference to send flier to Cathy for circulation with mins.
Items for KS2 Conf to be sent by post to Forest Lodge Ed Centre FAO Mel Handy.
Group members to offer shared expertise in response to Cathy’s prompts.
6.  AOB
Timing of moderation critical to correct evaluation – best not too early. Evidence cannot be reviewed after submission of data. Non co-operative schools run risk of being deemed as cases for maladministration procedures.
Las could better use P scales expertise from their special school staff across the LA.
Thanks expressed by Andy Checketts for the support of the group since 2004 as this would be his last meeting.
Thanks given to Cathy for her time and expertise in organising and chairing the meetings so successfully.
7.  Next meeting: 11 March 2014 at Beau Manor – details to follow.