Exams and Assessment
Key Stage 3:
Key Stage 3 marks an important period in a student’s school journey. Students engage with a broad and balanced, knowledge-rich curriculum in a wide variety of subjects. Our curriculum lays the foundation for success in Key Stage 4 but also equips students with the cultural capital needed to be well rounded students set up for success.
At our school, we offer a three-year KS3 program. This ensures that students have ample time to explore a wide range of subjects, including core academic subjects like English and Maths alongside creative subjects like performing arts and design and technology.
Assessment and Feedback
Throughout Years 7, 8, and 9, students are assessed continuously through a variety of methods. These include:
- Sample marking and whole-class feedback
- Verbal feedback
- Formative assessments marked by teachers
- Question-level analysis after end-of-year exams
This continuous approach allows teachers to monitor progress closely and provide timely support when needed.
GL Assessments and National Reading and Spelling Tests
When students join Year 7—or enter the school through in-year admissions—they complete English, Maths and Science GL assessments test and a National Reading and Spelling Test. This early assessment helps us quickly identify any difficulties in literacy or numeracy that might affect their access to the wider curriculum. If any gaps are found, we promptly provide targeted intervention to ensure every student has the support they need to succeed.
These tests are done once each year alongside out internal assessment windows to ensure we have the right information around which students may need additional intervention and support. Our goal is to ensure that every student thrives during KS3, building strong foundations for future learning and personal development.
KS3 Targets setting
All students come to us with a set of data from their primary Key Stage 2 tests and this allows us to target their end of Key Stage 4 GCSE expectations. We use this flight path to track how well students are progressing in each subject per term. The Key Stage 2 data is based on Reading and Maths tests. This is what the government uses to track progress for all children from Key Stage 2 to Key stage 4. We use an average of the data to help us estimate target grades. The diagram below shows the flight path of ‘expected progress’ for all students from their individual starting points. For example, a student whose GCSE target is a Grade 8, would be expected to be working at a Mastery level to be on target, whereas, a student whose target is a Grade 6 should be working at a Secure+ level.
Assessment Windows
Year 7, 8 and 9 have two summative assessment points during the year where they are tested using a spiral curriculum approach, assessing the knowledge and skills they have learnt throughout their study of subject at KS3 so far. This enables students to continuous to build on their knowledge and understanding as well as encouraging them to develop revision skills that they will need when they move on to KS4.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | |
| Assessment Point 1 | 24th Feb – 7th March | 3rd Feb – 14th Feb | 18th Nov – 29th Nov |
| Assessment Point 2 | 19th May – 6th June | 5th May – 16th May | 5th May – 16th May |
Reporting
We send an academic progress report home to parents 3 times per year, 2 of which detail the level students are achieving in each of their subjects – Developing, Securing and Mastering). KS3 grades that match the overall target of each subject indicate that they are on track – it’s important to remember a student might have made particularly strong progress in some subjects meaning they are above target and may find another subject more difficult and be just below target
KS4:
KS4 Assessment and Reporting
At Key Stage 4, students focus on the subjects they chose at the end of KS3, studying these over two years before sitting their external exams at the end of Year 11. Throughout this period, regular assessments are conducted to help track progress and prepare students for their final exams.
Mock Exams
- Year 10: Students take mock exams at the end of the summer term, giving them an opportunity to experience formal assessments and evaluate their progress.
- Year 11: There are two sets of mock exams, one in the Autumn term and another in the Spring term. These mock exams are designed to simulate the final GCSE or vocational exams, helping students identify areas for improvement before the real exams.
After each set of assessments, students receive detailed feedback. This includes question-level analysis to highlight strengths and areas for development.
| Year 10 | Year 11 | |
| Assessment Point 1 | 18th Nov – 29th Nov | 21st Oct – 8th Nov |
| Assessment Point 2 | 10th March – 21st March | 13th Jan – 24th Jan |
| Assessment Point 3 | 9th June – 24th June | N/A |
KS4 Grades and Progress Tracking
On the KS4 progress reports, students are given KS4 grades that indicate their current trajectory. These grades reflect the level they are on track to achieve by the end of Year 11. Grades are reported as:
- 9-1 for GCSE subjects
- D-P* (Distinction* to Pass) for vocational courses
When a student’s KS4 grade matches their overall target for a subject, it means they are on track to achieve their expected outcome. However, it’s important to note that progress can vary across subjects. Some students may excel and be above target in certain subjects, while finding others more challenging and being slightly below target. This is a normal part of the learning process.
To maximise progress, we encourage students to engage in discussions with their teachers, seeking advice and acting on recommendations. A proactive approach to addressing areas for improvement will help ensure success at the end of KS4.