Calendar OFSTED Report

Assessment & Reporting

How do we Assess?

We recognise that assessment and the curriculum cannot be viewed separately. In order to develop a knowledge rich curriculum we must support this with valid, reliable and useful assessment. Effective and timely summative assessment design is also a tool in understanding student progress and reflecting on the taught curriculum to inform teaching.

Our assessments are categorised into three types:

Low Stake Testing - These happen at the start of every lesson via a Do Now Retrieval Task. The student marks their Do Now tasks promptly. Student performance in these tasks is then used effectively by teachers to identify misconceptions and plan accordingly to narrow gaps in knowledge.

Mid Stake Testing - These are purposeful practice tasks completed independently in lessons. These tasks take place twice per half term and allow students to apply knowledge and skills acquired. Students receive personalised written feedback that identifies strengths and targets (Try Now Task). Students reflect and respond to the feedback they receive.

High Stake Testing - These are cumulative summative assessments, which interleave knowledge and skills to support students in developing long-term memory. Students receive personalised written feedback, identifying strengths and targets (Try Now Task). Students receive a score and/or a grade and standalone feedback lessons ensure that students reflect and respond to teacher comments.

  • High Stakes take place typically twice a year at KS3 (January and July)
  • High Stakes take place typically 3 times a year at KS4 (November, February and June)

It is the information from robust and reliable High Stake tests that become the main source of evidence for our reports to parents.

How do we report at KS3?

We send an progress reports home to parents three times per year. We report on two key aspects of your child’s education:

  • Attitude to learning
  • Academic progress

In Years 7 and 8, parents also receive information regarding the progress students are making towards their Caritas and Veritas award.

Attitude to Learning

Attitude to learning is the key for students to fulfil their potential. Our ATL grades range from:

  • Excellent effort
  • Good effort
  • More effort required
  • Unacceptable effort (contact is made home)

Academic Progress

At KS3, we report the level at which our students are currently performing at by using 4 descriptors which also provide parents with an indication of the final grades are students are heading towards:

Platinum This suggests that your child is heading towards attainment grade 7 - 9 by the end of GCSE
Gold This suggests that your child is heading towards attainment grade 6 - 7 by the end of GCSE
Silver This suggests that your child is heading towards attainment grade 4 - 6 5 by the end of GCSE
Bronze This suggests that your child is heading towards attainment grade 1 - 4 by the end of GCSE

These pathways are NOT predictions; progress depends on the way in which students approach their learning, which is why we monitor their Attitude to Learning.

Targets at KS3

Students are given a target pathway based on their performance in their Year 6 SATs and Year 7 CATs. The starting point is specific to each child but is holistic, indicating potential for attainment across all subjects at the end of Year 11 - it is a starting point on a journey and not a predetermined destination.

More detailed information on our KS3 reporting can be found in the video below:


How do we report at KS4?

We send a progress report home to parents twice in Year 11 and three times in Year 10. We report on two key aspects of your child’s education:

  • Attitude to learning
  • Academic progress

Attitude to Learning

Attitude to learning is the key for students to fulfil their potential. Our ATL grades range from:

  • Excellent effort
  • Good effort
  • More effort required
  • Unacceptable effort (contact is made home)

Academic Progress

At KS4, progress is reported using GCSE Grades (1 to 9) for GCSE courses and Distinction, Merit and PASS grades for BTEC subjects.

Students’ attainment at KS4 is measured against their end of Year 11 targets generated using the national Fischer Family Trust (FFT) database. The FFT database calculates personalised targets for each student in each subject they are studying. The database takes a student’s KS2 data, looks for similar students with similar KS2 scores and generates an end of Year 11 target in each subject.

Year 10 & 11 External Exam Information

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OFSTED Report