Foundation Phase

In February 2009, CRIPSAT was awarded the contract to develop an all-Wales Baseline Assessment for the Foundation phase.  The authors worked closely with all the LAs and their practitioners across Wales. The published materials available from Welsh Assembly Government  (2011) can be used as part of day-to-day practice to assess children on entry to the Foundation phase. The materials also have formative uses during the Foundation phase.

For further information please contact Linda McGuigan or Terry Russell.

Year 5 Optional Assessment Material

Commissioned by DCELLS, Welsh Assembly Government, CRIPSAT have developed two tranches of material. The first tranche consists of a pack of 14 Developing thinking activities and a Teacher’s guide (also available on a CD-ROM) published and distributed to all schools in Wales in 2009. The second tranche of material consists of a pack of three rich activities and a Teacher’s guide on the theme of ‘Discovery’. These materials are developing and support the assessment of learners’ skills in Developing thinking, Developing communication and Developing number. These materials were published and distributed to all schools in Wales Autumn 2010.

KS2 Thematic Website

The Welsh Assembly Government, through its Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) has commissioned CRIPSAT to develop bilingual, online materials that support a cross-curricular approach to the teaching and learning of the KS2 National Curriculum for Science for Wales. The digital content includes science focused materials that support each of the following cross-curricular themes: ‘Transport’, ‘Heroes’, ‘Rubbish’, ‘Homes’, ‘Celebrations’ and ‘Work’. The materials incorporate the requirements of other curriculum areas and frameworks as appropriate.
These innovative materials are designed to provide opportunities for learners to question, explore and develop scientific ideas in novel contexts. They encourage learners to plan, consider evidence and ideas and reflect on processes used as promoted through Developing thinking within the Skills Framework.
Activities include interactions around stimulus materials and also suggestions for enquiries to be undertaken away from the computer. This digital resource can be accessed free via http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/dcells-thematic-resources-ks2.

KS3 Website; Sustainability

The Welsh Assembly Government, through its Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) commissioned CRIPSAT to develop bilingual, online materials that support the teaching and learning of sustainability at Key Stage 3.
The materials include a set of multi media teaching and learning materials and simple online software that users can use to help them construct a 3D model. The materials promote collaborative learning, oracy and number skills and peer and self assessment. http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk)

Mobile Learning

Terry Russell and Linda McGuigan have explored children's uses of a range of mobile devices since 2005. The activities have involved working with teachers in Wolverhampton, Blackburn with Darwen, Bradford and Liverpool.

There has been a particular focus on pedagogy and learning.

The current work with Blackburn with Darwen has involved children and their teachers from Y1-Y6. The accumulated video evidence relates to the following issues: whole school strategies, pedagogy, personalisation and ownership, curricular applications, relationships between families and schools, formative assessment and impacts on learning.

Further information available from Terry Russell or Linda McGuigan.