PIXL

PiXL – Catch-up, Therapies, Interventions, and Gap Closing at Nightingale Federation Schools

Mission Statement:

At Nightingale Federation, we are driven by a moral purpose to enable all pupils to fulfil their potential by letting their light shine. By using PiXL (Partners In Excellence) effectively, we can forensically analyse data to identify key areas for improvement, ensuring success for each child.

Raising Standards Leader (RSL):

The role of the Raising Standards Leader is to ensure the best possible outcomes and progress for all our children across KS1 and KS2. In doing this, the RSL supports staff in their understanding of PiXL and its effective use. The RSL also provides data-driven challenges and identifies key marginal children. After each round of assessments, the RSL provides data reports to each year group to assist in identifying those children. The RSL attends pupil progress meetings to offer support and challenge where necessary.

PiXL Language of Assessment (Years 1-5)

PiXL Language of Assessment (Year 6)

Termly Assessments:

Years 2-6 complete a PiXL assessment for Reading, Grammar, and Maths each term. Teachers are responsible for completing and uploading the associated Question Level Analysis (QLA) documents in line with the annual agreed PiXL dates to allow school-to-school comparison.

Year 1 completes this process in the spring and summer terms.

All PiXL assessments should be completed independently to ensure data integrity and accurate identification of key marginals. Special considerations are made for children requiring specialist support to access their assessments where possible.

Diagnose, Therapy, Test, Revisit (DTTR):

Teachers use the QLA documents to identify specific gaps for individual children, small groups, and the whole class. PiXL therapies, specifically designed to address curriculum objectives, are used for their intended audiences. PiXL is used among other school resources, including RWI, Doodle Learning, Kahoot, popplets/padlets, and low-stakes quizzes to ensure children have ample practice opportunities.

PiXL therapy tests are then used to inform teachers if gaps have been closed or if further practice is required. If therapy tests suggest gaps have been closed, teachers plan revisiting opportunities across the curriculum to ensure secure learning for all pupils.

PiXL Grades:

Throughout the academic year, teachers use the DTTR process to continuously monitor their pupils’ PiXL grades. This ongoing monitoring allows for timely amendments to ensure pupils’ needs are met. Pupils’ PiXL grades are updated after each assessment window and used to monitor progress in termly pupil progress meetings.

KS2 Progress:

End of KS1 assessments are updated annually as part of PiXL administration, enabling teachers to be aware of prior attainment and consider which children are key marginals. For instance, a Year 4 pupil who achieved GDS (greater depth) in maths at the end of KS1 and is currently an E1 on PiXL should be identified as a key marginal due to below-expected progress.

Regular core meetings with SLT, Year Groups, and the RSL identify next steps for pupils who may be falling behind.

Additional PiXL Education Information:

PiXL is the UK’s largest education leadership network, partnering with thousands of schools, colleges, and alternative education providers across KS1-5. PiXL focuses on improving life chances and outcomes for young people by equipping school leaders to be agents of change. The network provides a wealth of professional development opportunities, resources, and strategies to support school leaders and teachers.

PiXL offers various support services, including specialist support for middle leaders, subject conferences, leadership courses, and online collaboration networks. The organization is intelligence-led and evidence-informed, ensuring that resources and strategies are responsive to the evolving needs of schools.