In this article, the authors report on the Top Marks project and some of the successful activities that made assessment "real." The aim of Top Marks project was to "invigorate the assessment of science with fun, relevance, real-life and engagement". The project involved collaboration between schools and primary science consultants from the Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University and Stockport local authority. The consultants provided training sessions on current assessment practice in science, the development of questioning skills and how information and communications technology (ICT) can be used to support assessment. The Centre for Science Education introduced their approach of using "rich" experiences to enhance teaching and learning in primary science. Teachers from each school worked collaboratively to plan, deliver and evaluate a range of innovative assessment activities, which were funded by a grant from the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust. (Contains 3 figures, 1 table, and 1 box.)