Phonics

Students at Simon Balle achieve consistently well in the national phonics screening check at the end of Year 1. In 2022, 98% of children achieved the expected standard.  In 2019, the most recent national data set available pre-pandemic, 93% of students at Simon Balle achieved the expected standard, compared with 82% nationally.

KS1 SATs

Students’ attainment at KS1 (SATs at the end of Year 2) in 2019 at Simon Balle was above the national average in every respect: in reading, writing and mathematics, and for the percentage of students achieving at both the expected standard and at greater depth. In reading and writing the percentage of students achieving at greater depth was significantly above the national average. In 2022, despite the impact of the pandemic, attainment data continues to be extremely strong and above the national average for 2019 in all areas (awaiting 2022 national data at present).

*  = The expected standard

** = Greater depth (above the expected standard)

Students achieving within all prior attainment groups (low, middle and high) make at least good progress across KS1 at Simon Balle.  96.4% of students in 2022 achieved good progress across KS1 in reading, 96.4% in writing and 100% in mathematics. 30.4% of students made accelerated progress in reading, 25.0% in writing and 39.3% in mathematics: this reflects students either progressing from below age-related expectations to age-related expectations or from age-related expectations to greater depth.

Our community is passionate about the potential for every child to make strong progress. The curriculum is structured to support excellence in learning in both core subjects reported here (reading, writing and mathematics) and across the curriculum. In 2022, strong progress was achieved equally by students with a recognised special educational need and by those students who are entitled to pupil premium.