Assessing progress in KS3

At The Derby High School our aim is that students learn a curriculum of Powerful Knowledge so that they know more and can do more. The powerful knowledge gained prepares students for success sin Key Stage 4 and beyond. It is important to identify any gaps in Key Stage 3 so that these can be effectively addressed.

To do this we use:

Formative assessment: this is an essential part of every lesson and will take many forms to check for student understanding

Summative Assessment: to assess how well students are learning and remembering the curriculum

What does formative assessment look like?

Checking for understanding might take the form of:

· Questioning in lessons

· Live marking of student work

· Quizzes in lessons or set as homework

· Practice examination questions or essays

Teachers use formative assessment to plan lessons focussed on gaps in learning and how best to close them.

What does summative assessment look like?

Assessing how well students are learning and remembering the curriculum takes place as two formal examinations per year. Dates for these are below. Students will be provided with revision lists on Satchel One. Further information on what students have been studying can be found in the curriculum section of the website.

When do we report progress in KS3?

We report progress 3 times per year:

· At the start of the spring term a report will be sent home to parents

· Teachers will discuss progress at parents evening with parents

· An end of year report will be sent home outlining how well students remember what they have learned this year

How do we report on student progress at KS3?

Each student will receive:

· An Attitude to Learning grade (ATL) ranging from A (excellent) to D (Inadequate)

· An Attitude to Homework grade (ATH) ranging from A (excellent) to D (Inadequate)

· A percentage score from summative assessments (representing the amount of the curriculum a student has learned)

· A comparative percentage with students of a similar ability allowing parents to compare their progress with similar ability students

Assessing progress in KS4

Students in KS4 begin their GCSE courses. Assessment at KS4 is used to identify how much of the GCSE specification students have learned and can remember. Teachers use assessment to identify gaps in knowledge to ensure students have the best chance of success in examinations.

To do this we use:

Formative assessment: this is an essential part of every lesson and will take many forms to check for student understanding

Summative Assessment: to assess how well students are learning and remembering the curriculum

What does formative assessment look like?

Checking for understanding might take the form of:

· Questioning in lessons

· Live marking of student work

· Quizzes in lessons or set as homework

· Practice examination questions or essays

Teachers use formative assessment to plan lessons focussed on gaps in learning and how best to close them.

What does summative assessment look like?

Assessing how well students are learning and remembering the curriculum takes place as two formal examinations per year. Dates for these are below. Students will be provided with revision lists on Satchel One. Further information on what students have been studying can be found in the curriculum section of the website.

When do we report progress in Year 10?

We report progress 3 times per year:

· At the start of the spring term a report will be sent home to parents

· Teachers will discuss progress at parents evening with parents

· An end of year report will be sent home outlining how well students remember what they have learned this year

When do we report progress in Year 11?

· Twice per year following mock examinations in November and February

· Teachers will discuss progress at parents evening with parents after the first mock examinations

How do we report on student progress at KS4?

Each student will receive:

· An Attitude to Learning grade (ATL) ranging from A (excellent) to D (Inadequate)

· An Attitude to Homework grade (ATH) ranging from A (excellent) to D (Inadequate)

· Student target grades are provided

· Students receive a Current Prediction (CP) outlining the expected grade a student will achieve based on the work and assessments completed in school