KS3 Target grades

The data used to provide the flightpath and target grade for each subject is shown below:

For pupils who have completed SATS, the school is provided with KS2 scores in Reading and Maths. The CATS tests provide a standardised score that is converted to a retrospective KS2 equivalent score in Reading and Maths. We use the Year 6 teacher feedback and any other relevant data, benchmarked with historic St Dunstan’s data to ensure our students have an accurate baseline. It is important to have the CATs scores as an anchor for the flight paths to allow comparison with other year groups particularly if there is not any National Prior Attainment data for this cohort.

Assessments and marking

During Key Stage 3, subjects that have four or more lessons per fortnight will carry out six summative assessments per year (1 per term). Subjects with three or fewer lessons per fortnight will carry out at least three summative assessments per year. Prior to these assessments, subjects will provide students with one of the following items: a personalised learning checklist, a knowledge organiser, or detailed success criteria, to ensure students have the chance to prepare thoroughly for each assessment.

Once the assessments have been completed, teachers will mark them in red pen and provide students with feedback which will include the following:

• The student’s target grade
• The grade the student achieved
• A “What Went Well” (WWW) comment - Praise for the strengths shown
• An “Even Better If” (EBI) comment - How the pupil can improve their work

Following this, pupils will be given an opportunity to go back and improve, correct or further develop their work. This will be completed with a purple pen.

Tracking progress

Once completed, pupils will record the grade they achieve on their flight path sticker, which is to be found at the front of their exercise books, so pupils and parents can see how they are progressing over time.

What represents “good” progress?

Each assessment during Years 7-9 will be graded according to criteria, which is adapted to reflect the standard expected at that point in the subject’s curriculum journey. As such, pupils achieving the same grade at each assessment point (for example, an R+ in Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9) will be making good progress. This is because the assessments will be more challenging in later years and based upon new and more demanding content. The table below shows how this progress may look over several years and gives an indication of possible GCSE outcomes based on current attainment. It is important to note that progress is not always linear and it is common to see movement between grades throughout a pupil’s school journey.