News and Updates
Disestablishment of obsolete elements of the original version of the Lancashire Pupil Tracker.
Existing subscribers to at least one of the Lancashire Early Years, Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2 Pupil Tracker should be aware of the following information.
Mindful of the need to move in line with the ever-changing face of assessment, the afore-mentioned phases are now situated within the Lancashire Pupil Tracker Hub. They have been developed in consultation with a range of schools and professionals to provide subscribers with much more simplified and flexible systems, that can be used in a way to most suit their needs.
During the period of transition, the Lancashire Pupil Tracker Hub has continued to run alongside the original tracker, this has been necessary:
- because several administrative functions still operate via the original version
- to allow for a smooth transition period to the updated versions.
The move to the re-modelled Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 phases has resulted in not only a shift in the structure of the assessment and reporting areas but also in the terminology applied.
To assist users with this transition we have produced a series of short videos which outline how the main functions of each phase operate within the Lancashire Pupil Tracker Hub and these can be viewed via the links below:
Early Years Phase:
Key Stage 1/Key Stage 2 Phases:
Additionally, the updated user guides can also be accessed via:
EYFS guidelines:
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/media/947553/eyfs-tracker-user-guide-updated-version-october-2023.pdf
Key Stage 1/Key Stage 2 guidelines:
Disestablishment of Obsolete Functionality
The long-term plan was always that, in time, the original version of the tracker was to be gradually phased out.
The need for a graduated approach is due to:
- the continued existence of the PIVATS On-line Analysis element on the original tracker, a position that will not change for the foreseeable future.
- the Phonics and Key Stage 1 statutory assessment submission functions remaining on the original tracker in the short term.
- several administrative functions remaining in place on the original tracker at this point.
In due course all the above areas will be addressed, and we will advise you as and when the situation changes in each case.
We are, however, now able to begin removing some of the functions that are no longer current or necessary within the original tracker.
Before we do this, we appreciate that it is important that we give you advance warning of the changes, and an opportunity to ask any questions or raise any concerns you may have. To do so you can contact the Pupil Tracker Team on (01772) 531555 or via pst@lancashire.gov.uk.
The modifications that will affect you as a subscriber are outlined below and will all be effective from Thursday 1st September 2022.
Pupils menu
Due to the continued presence of the PIVATS On-line Analysis Tool and several administrative functions, the following options will remain live and functional post the 1st September 2022 on the original tracker:
- Pupil List
- Add Pupils
- Edit Multiple Pupils
- Phonics Submission
- Mass Entry PIVATS
- KS1 Submission
The remaining options, however, will be either affected or removed as detailed below.
Removal of early years and key stage assessment entry areas:
While the "Pupil List" option will remain in place, aspects of its functionality will be modified.
When selected it presents users with a list of their pupil names, see example below:
By clicking on the book icon (circled above) a subscriber, assuming they have purchased that level of access, is able to create Early Years, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and PIVATS assessments (see screen print below).
As of the 1st September the "Early Years", "Key Stage 1" and "Key Stage 2" areas will all be removed as options and no longer visible to users.
Currently these areas remain operative although essentially already redundant with the terminology used no longer consistent with the updated versions situated within the Lancashire Pupil Tracker Hub.
Therefore, subscribers should only be using the Assessment area in the "Pupil Tracker Hub" now for data entry in these phases.
The PIVATS assessments option will remain in place and operational for the foreseeable future on the original tracker.
Submit early learning goals
In the 2021/2022 academic year schools will now be able to submit their "End of Year Early Learning Goals" via the Lancashire Pupil Tracker Hub.
The option to submit Early Learning Goals via the original tracker is already redundant and out of operation, and will be removed from view effective from the 1st September 2022.
Interventions
This option has now been superseded by its successor, available in both the Early Years and Key Stage phases of the Lancashire Pupil Tracker Hub.
Therefore, while still currently live, this function is effectively now redundant and will be removed from selection effective from the 1st September 2022.
Mass entry of early years and key stage assessments
As with the template within the "Pupil List" which can be used to enter individual pupil assessments the mass entry functions for the Early Years and Key Stage phases will be removed from selection effective from the 1st September 2022.
The terminology within each of these forms is not consistent with the version within the Lancashire Pupil Tracker Hub, which should now be used to record all assessment data in these phases.
The "Mass Entry of PIVATS" option will continue to function within the live version of the original tracker and will do so for the foreseeable future.
Reports menu
One of the main drivers behind the transition from the original tracker to the updated versions of the Early Years and Key Stage 1 and 2 aspects within the Lancashire Pupil Tracker Hub, has been to strip back the functionality simplifying it and making it more straightforward to navigate around and interpret.
In attempting to meet all requirements we acknowledge that the "Reports" section of the original tracker had become unwieldy, unnecessarily complicated and in some respects confusing.
Determined to rectify this position the development groups involved in the creation of the Lancashire Pupil Tracker Hub have devised vastly reduced "Reports" sections within the Early Years and Key Stage phases.
Therefore, with effect from the 1st September 2022 all the reports in following areas will be removed from the "Reports" menu of the original tracker:
- EYFS Reports
- KS1 (Narrative Report for Parents)
- Phonics (Narrative Report for Parents)
- KS1 & KS2 Reports
The section entitled "PIVATS Reports" will remain in place and operational for the foreseeable future.
Transfer of Key Stage 1 and 2 Data:
Since its launch in November 2019, we have encouraged schools to contact us in cases where they require historical data copying from the original tracker to the Lancashire Pupil Tracker Hub.
Many schools have taken up this option to ensure that they have access, via the revised system, to their internal tracking data from previous years.
This offer still stands, but we need to draw a conclusion to this process, and therefore encourage schools to contact us, where they have not already done so, by the conclusion of this academic year to ensure your data is copy across where desired. You can do so via (01772) 531555 or pst@lancashire.gov.uk
We hope this information is helpful.
Pupil Tracker Team