Putting Pupils at the Heart of Assessment. Children’s rights in Practice

This project examined pupils’ participation in their own assessment from a children’s rights perspective. It demonstrated that when genuine opportunities for participating in and understanding assessment are presented, pupils engage in their learning and focus on their own progress. When policy makers use child-centred methods to consult children directly, children show the motivation and capacity to be involved in decision-making. CPAL enshrined these principles within its own design and processes. KS2 and KS3 pupils advised on ethical informed consent and some of the research methods. They co-researched and co-interpreted aspects of the data. In addition to traditional survey methods, the project developed creative methods for use with pupils and teachers which incorporated E-consultation, focus groups, drawings, and pupils’ digital recordings. The project was designed to take account of the policy context in Northern Ireland, with its focus on pupil profiles and assessment for learning