Reporting

Key Stage 3 Reporting System

Introduction

Key Stage 3 (KS3) is the term used to define the first three years of secondary schooling; Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9. It is an extremely important time in the development of students both academically and pastorally. There are many changes for students and parents alike: the process of transition from primary school, their growth as socially responsible young people, and the laying of foundations for academic success at KS4 to name but a few. 

At KS3, students will receive 3 progress reports per year, one per term. 

These reports contain information regarding academic progress, attitude to learning, achievements and attendance.

Current Attainment 

Teachers use assessments and their professional judgment to decide at which stage a student is working at the point of reporting.  

Attainment is given a year group and stage within that year.  

The stages are:

• Not yet reached
• Emerging
• Developing
• Secure
• Extending

Attainment is identified for each subject and is age related.  It is linked to the curriculum expectations for that subject. Therefore, for example, the standard for ‘Secure’ in Year 9 will be higher than the ‘Secure’ standard for year 7. 

The following table of flight paths illustrates how attainment grades can transfer to GCSE grades, if expected progress is made through the key stages.

Target Attainment for end of year	Expected GCSE grade range
Extending	7-9
Secure	5-6
Developing	3-4
Emerging	1-2

Target Attainment

This is the grade a student should aspire to achieve based on current performance and prior learning at the end of the year.    It is essential to recognise that all students progress at different rates and have different starting points. 

Further information our assessment framework at Key Stage 3 can be found HERE.

Current Progress 

The process grade monitors how well a student is progressing in a subject.  When we assess progress, we consider the standards they are achieving now, in relation to their starting points when they joined the school.  We measure and report progress by comparing a student’s starting point with their current attainment in each subject area.

The categories are:

• Not yet-Not making expected progress yet
• Yes-Making expected progress
• Accelerated-Making accelerated progress

When considering your child’s progress and attainment, you should be aware of the following points:

Progress is not the same as effort-although there may be times when a lack of progress in a subject area can be attributed to a student not making enough effort, this is not always the case.  Sometimes students can be trying incredibly hard, but they may struggle to grasp the necessary understanding or skills in order to progress. All subject areas will implement strategies in teaching and learning to support each student.

Learning is not a race, students will progress at different rates in different subject areas at different times.  It is more important that students secure the basics rather that accelerating ahead when they still have fundamental gaps in knowledge and skill understanding.  Therefore, students may well remain within the same attainment threshold for a long period of time, but this does not mean they are not making progress.

Teachers use their professional judgement about how students learn in a particular subject area when determining their expectations and assessing students’ attainment and progress.  Their knowledge of strengths and learning needs of individual students will inevitably increase as the academic year progresses and they have a greater range of assessment information to inform them.  This may sometimes account for changes from one report to another.  Our aim is always to give you the most accurate and up to date information that we possibly can, on the evidence that we have available to us.

Behaviour for Learning Grades 

The Behaviour for Learning engagement grade is an average of the scores recorded in lessons. Every lesson, students are awarded with one of the following for their behaviour for learning with a focus on engagement in lessons.   

A   Outstanding

B   Good

C   Inconsistent

D  Poor                     

Homework, Punctuality and Equipment 

Students will also be graded Red, Amber or Green on homework, punctuality and equipment. The colours indicate the following:

Homework, Punctuality and Equipment	Code
Concerns in this area
Some concerns/inconsistencies at times
Achieving in this strand with no specific concerns

The purpose of the coded colours printed on the reports are to act as both positive recognition and to allow for further interventions. 

Please click HERE to view a sample report for KS3

 

Key Stage 4 Reporting System

At KS4, students will receive 3 progress reports per year, one per term. At the start of year 10 students also receive a behaviour for learning report that focuses on attitude and commitments to learning.

Current Attainment Grade 

 This is the grade that the student is currently working at based on assessments to date.  These assessments might include: 

• controlled assessments 
• mock exams 
• tests 
• practice exam questions 
• level assessed tasks 
• practical components 

Target grade 

A challenging grade that is achievable with sustained effort. 

Mock grade 

The grade achieved in the most recent mock examination.

Behaviour for Learning Grades

The Behaviour for Learning engagement grade is an average of the scores recorded in lessons.  Every lesson students are awarded with one of the following for their behaviour for learning with a focus on engagement in lessons.   

A   Outstanding

B   Good

C   Inconsistent

D  Poor            

Homework, Punctuality and Equipment

Students will also be graded Red, Amber or Green on homework, punctuality and equipment. The colours indicate the following:

Homework, Punctuality and Equipment	Code
Concerns in this area
Some concerns/inconsistencies at times
Achieving in this strand with no specific concerns

The purpose of the coded colours printed on the reports are to act as both positive recognition and to allow for further interventions.

Please click HERE to view a sample report for KS4

 

Key Stage 5 Reporting System

At KS5, students will receive 3 progress reports per year, one per term. In year 12 students also receive a sixth week review that focuses on attitude and commitment to learning.

These reports contain information regarding academic progress, attitude to learning, achievements and attendance.

Current Attainment Grade 

This is the grade that the student is currently working at based on assessments to date.  These assessments might include: 

• controlled assessments 
• mock exams 
• tests 
• practice exam questions 
• level assessed tasks 
• practical components 

Predicted grade  

This is the grade the student is most likely to achieve at the end of the key stage or course based on the teacher’s professional judgement.

Target grade 

A challenging grade that is achievable with sustained effort.  For KS5 it is based on ALPS.   

Please click HERE to view a sample report for KS5