Your child will receive two reports across the academic year. This will contain information on their behaviour, attitude to learning and the progress they are making in each subject.

Each year group undertakes a range of assessments  across the academic year. Summative assessment opportunities are used to develop learning and provide students with guidance on how to improve.

Key Stage 3 Assessment

In most subjects, there will be a summative assessment at the end of each half term. These will be completed during lesson time and different subjects have different formats depending on the most suitable format for the subject. Some subjects (PE, Drama, Music, Art) may assess performance towards achieving the threshold concepts over several lessons.

Typically, assessments will include multiple choice questions, short answer questions, vocabulary questions and questions that assess application through extended writing or problem solving.

Reporting

To monitor student progress in Key Stage 3 (KS3), a target system with three grade bands is used. A student's target grade band is determined by their benchmark assessments and Primary KS2 SATs results. These targets aim to challenge students and are regularly reviewed.

Our Reports contain the following information:

• KS3 Below/At/Above Target: The student's expected achievement level, assessed by subject teachers throughout the year which indicates if they are working either below, at or above their expected target level.

RAG rating based on effort, RAG rating based on the school's Core Values of Determination, Kindness, and Respect.

Students in Year 10 and 11 study GCSE subjects and some vocational subjects (BTECs or Cambridge Nationals) if they picked them during their options.

GCSE grades are now awarded on the 9-1 numerical model. Grade 9 represents the highest possible attainment and is only awarded to a small number of students each year. Grade 5 is now defined as a ‘strong pass’ and sits at the old C/B borderline. Grade 4 is a ‘standard pass’ and is comparable to the old grade C.

During the two years of study, students will complete a range of assessments  which will help teachers and students understand their strengths and areas for development. In Year 10, students will sit a series of mock examinations in the summer term , which will be used to assess their progress and identify areas of focus for Year 11.

Once in Year 11, students will sit mock examinations at the start of November and then again in late January/early February. Our aim with these assessments is to give students useful, realistic practice in the exam environment. This has the dual benefit of helping teachers to understand how to help students improve their exam technique, as well as providing robust assessment data that allows us to predict likely performance at the end of Year 11.

Reporting

• KS4 Working at Grade (WAG): The student's current achievement level, assessed by subject teachers throughout the year according to subject-specific assessment plans available on the school website. This will be measured in the GCSE 1-9 scale
• KS4 Below/At/Above Target: The student's expected achievement level, assessed by subject teachers throughout the year which indicates if they are working either below, at or above their expected target level.

RAG rating based on effort, RAG rating based on the school's Core Values of Determination, Kindness, and Respect.