Arundel CofE Primary School (ACE) caters for over 200 children aged 4–11. It is proud to be a strong community of learners, with children and adults interacting to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential.
ACE has been using Tapestry Childhood Education Platform in the EYFS since 2016. In 2020, the school extended its use of Tapestry into Key Stage 1 and 2, and it is now used successfully across all year groups.
Here, Headteacher Andrew Simpson explains why and how the school uses Tapestry.
Actively engaging children with their learning
When extending Tapestry into Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, the school was keen to utilise the Child Login feature. This allows children to upload their work quickly and simply. Adding their own content to their learning journals supports children in understanding what the purpose of the learning session is.
Andrew explains, “This helps to fulfil the ethos of ‘Know More, Remember More and Do More’.” Meaningful feedback is enhanced through discussions with the children after they have added their own content. Children are more engaged and excited about their learning, making a positive contribution to their self-esteem. Andrew sums this up by saying, “You can’t beat a platform which makes children excited about their learning!”
Involving children in the assessment process
Throughout the school, teachers build on the principles in the Early Years classroom, where actively teaching and learning together through first-hand experience can show the direct link between implementation and impact.
In Key Stage 1 and 2, staff use Tapestry’s Child Login to give children an active role in the learning and assessment process. Andrew says this avoids teaching and assessing being “just something that is done to them”.
Instead, children are supported to explain and articulate their learning. “We have found that Tapestry’s Child Login enables children to have an excellent understanding of their attainment and progress, by giving them ownership over their observations and developing self-assessment,” explains Andrew.
Developing a whole-school approach to assessing, planning and progress monitoring
The school makes use of Bespoke Frameworks on Tapestry to create and upload their own curriculum, assessment framework and milestones directly onto their account. This is particularly important for their RE curriculum.
The ability to add a bespoke assessment framework specifically for their school context means that their assessment is both fit for their purpose as well as taking into consideration the national requirements from the DfE.
“Tapestry’s excellent customer support is what makes the company and system stand out from other organisations.”
Senior leaders can use the online learning journals to keep in touch with each child’s understanding and interests while identifying common patterns. And subject leads can use them to get an overview of the impact of their sequenced curriculum.
Andrew says, “Tapestry is the tool that provides the link between the cycle of planning, teaching and assessment.”
For educators, by educators
Whether you’re setting up a new tool with your staff team or have been using a system for a while, it’s important to trust that any questions you have will be answered by people who know their product and understand your needs. That’s why Tapestry’s customer support team includes educators.
Andrew adds that this is one more reason for using Tapestry at ACE: “Tapestry’s excellent customer support is what makes the company and system stand out from other organisations.”
Highly commended software for your primary school
Designed to enable a flexible approach to child-centred assessment that adapts to the unique needs of every school, classroom and child, Tapestry provides a seamless record of children’s progress from EYFS to Year 6, in mainstream and SEND provision.
Tapestry is all about celebrating children, reducing workload and engaging families, so every subscription gives you full access to all features – there are no hidden fees or paywalls.
Not ready to commit yet? Use promo code TPNEWYEAR24 to try Tapestry for eight weeks!*
*Usually two weeks. Offer ends 15 January 2025.
