KS3 Assessment Summary
Measuring progress in Years 7, 8 and 9
Teachers assess progress regularly using many methods. This might include short tests, recap exercises, questioning, student self-assessment or quizzes. At other times we use more formal assessments, projects or exams to judge progress over time.
We ask our teachers to report summary progress data twice during Year 7 and Year 8 and three times in Year 9. We also gather data on attitude to learning and attitude to homework six times a year (once each half term). At all of these points we update your child’s data report and send you a link to this in a text, email, or we send you a hard copy depending on your preferences from your consents form.
It is intended that our new management information system, BROMCOM, will make it easy for you to access information about your child securely online, through its MCAS function (My Child at School).
The data we share needs to be read carefully. Attitude to learning judgments are guided by statements at each grade 1 to 6 and these can be found in the planner. However, it is inevitable that judgments about attitude are subjective and we expect that they may vary from teacher to teacher. Summary assessment data will offer judgements that compare student performance within the cohort of students and broadly within standards expected nationally of students at that age. You can discover more about how your child in doing in their exercise books. GREENSHEETS are used by all subjects to reflect on your child’s personal progress identifying what they can do and those knowledge or skill areas that require further development. Our system focuses closely on learning and improving in the classroom at an individual level. This is the level at which we set targets in Ks3 – not ‘hopeful’ grades forecast years in the future that can mislead – but in the class where the next piece of work can reflect an individual’s response to feedback as they progress.
As well as the data profile that is updated throughout the year we have other opportunities for discussing progress with you.
TERM 1
Tutor briefing evening (Year 7 only) – an opportunity to meet with form tutor, to discuss how the student has settled in and to look at specific examples of work in a range of subjects.
TERM 2
Parents’ Evening: a chance to meet each subject teacher, share successes and concerns, seek additional information and ask questions.
TERM 3
End of year data and Form Tutor profile – the data profile with the most recent assessments (end of year exams), with the addition of a detailed form tutor report.
Since the introduction of a new National Curriculum in 2014, it is no longer required that schools report in levels. Students are now assessed against a series of standards for their year group. The summary assessment data described above is provided in relation to these age related standards.
CODE MEANING COMMENT
D- Developing - The student is developing towards the expected standards, but there are still significant gaps in their knowledge and skills that will hold them back.
D+ Developing + The student is developing towards the expected standards, though there are still some gaps in their knowledge and skills that they are trying to close.
M- Meeting - The student is meeting the expected standards; they have acquired all the skills and knowledge that are expected.
M+ Meeting + The student is meeting the expected standards; they have applied all the skills and knowledge that are expected.
E- Exceeding - The student is exceeding the expected standards; they have applied all the skills and knowledge that are expected and met some additional challenges.
E+ Exceeding + The student is exceeding the expected standards; they have applied all the skills and knowledge that are expected and regularly meet additional challenges.
Throughout the year, students will receive detailed feedback using GREENSHEETS in each subject. This will indicate how a student is progressing against the expected standards and will set targets for students to work on. Parents/carers are encouraged to look at these GREENSHEETS in their child’s books regularly and to discuss successes and learning targets with students.
