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4.3P scales
The use of P scales will be statutory in 2008 for pupils with special educational needs who are working below level 1 of the national curriculum. Schools will need to use P scales to record and report the achievements of those pupils in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science. The P scales are not to be used to assess pupils with English as an additional language (EAL) at any age unless they have additional special educational needs.
P scales are appropriate across key stage 3 and should be applied to pupils working towards national curriculum level 1 (ie level W pupils) who have been identified as having special educational needs.
The performance descriptions for P1–P3 are common across all subjects. They outline the types and range of general performance that pupils with learning difficulties who are not working at levels P4–P8 might characteristically demonstrate. The P scale descriptions can be found on the QCA website at www.qca.org.uk/8798.html. The P scale attainment targets are referred to as P Levels in some guidance and legislation. Using the P scales DVD is available from the QCA orderline at www.qca.org.uk/orderline or by calling 08700 60 60 15 and quoting QCA/05/1589. Further information is available from pscales@qca.org.uk.
If a pupil is at P1i–P3ii level in English, then reading, writing, speaking or listening levels would not normally be appropriate. If a pupil is at an English level higher than P3ii, then the relevant separate levels P4–P8 in reading, writing, speaking or listening are appropriate, and an overall English level is not expected. The position is similar in respect of mathematics, number, using and applying mathematics, and shape, space and measures. For science, a single level from P1i–P8 is appropriate.
However, there may be exceptional circumstances where a pupil is judged to be at P1i–P3ii in English and/or mathematics but at P4–P8 in a particular element of the subject. The school management information system software will allow these levels to be recorded and will transfer all levels as entered for key stage 3 pupils, following the supplier's instructions as provided.
| P scale subject | Reportable levels |
|
English Reading Writing Speaking Listening |
P1i, P1ii, P2i, P2ii, P3i, P3ii P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 |
|
Mathematics Number Using and applying mathematics Shape, space and measures |
P1i, P1ii, P2i, P2ii, P3i, P3ii P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 |
|
Science and non-core subjects |
P1i, P1ii, P2i, P2ii, P3i, P3ii, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 |