Assessment at Key Stage 3

This academic year, at Key Stage 3, we are delighted to be launching a new Assessment, Reporting and Data model. With the introduction of a knowledge and skills-rich curriculum in 2019, we have amended our assessment model to reflect this change. 

Each subject-based curriculum is centred on a set of skills and knowledge (SKs), that students acquire over each academic year. These set of skills and knowledge are developed over time and become progressively more difficult over the 5 academic years. The aim is for students to achieve mastery to prepare them for the KS4 GCSE assessment. 

Below you will find a list of the Skills and Knowledge (by year group).

Across all departments, at the end of each term, students will be assessed on a set of particular SKs that are acquired and/or developed over a term. The criteria will be based on the ‘expected standard’ at national level for a learner of that year group.

Reporting at Key Stage 3

Every term, parents and guardians will receive a report that evaluates the child’s acquisition of skills and knowledge. Students will be assessed with a summative evaluation of ‘Met’ or ‘Not met’. Please see an example of the new reporting system below.

After receiving their reports, students will engage in a self-reflection task in extended form time. Alongside the form tutor, students will review their report to: 

1. Celebrate their achievements in meeting specific SKs
2. Identify the SKs they have ‘not met’ in each subject 
3. Fill out a self-reflection form
4. Identity what tasks they should engage in (outside of the classroom) to development themselves in the particular SKs they had ‘not met’ in each subject. 

At Leytonstone School, we believe that students should engage with the data they receive, in order to aid progress. This year, we have introduced a student-friendly ‘What Now?’ booklet to cultivate independent and self-regulated learners.

The ‘What now?’ booklet outlines the SKs across all departments, with clear guidance, resources and tasks students can engage with outside of the classroom, in specific SKs. The concept ‘What now?’ is a student-friendly means of self-reflection, to addressing gaps in learning. With the help of form tutors, students will create a personalised learning checklist that will be monitored periodically.  

Assessment at Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, department areas use the Assessment Criteria that is prescribed by exam boards.

At year 10, to reflect the curriculum, students sit internal assessments every half term, marked against the GCSE criteria.

In Year 11, students continue to sit internal assessments, alongside mock examinations. The assessments are marked against the assessment objectives set out by exam boards.

Reporting at Key Stage 4

In Year 10, every term, parents and guardians will receive a report, for each subject including the student’s target grade and predicted grade in each subject.

Like in Key Stage 3, students engage with their reports and identify personalised targets and tasks to maximise progress and attainment.