Curriculum

Frequently Asked Assessment Questions

Where can I find further subject specific information on assessment?

This can be found in the “Guide to Assessment” that was given out at the Year 7 Parents’ Information Evening. An overview of the assessments that each department uses and further information on how to interpret the levels can be found in this booklet. If you have lost your booklet, please email reports@aggs.trafford.sch.uk and a replacement will be sent to you.

What do the letters “a, b and c” refer to?

These are sub-levels and are explained in the General Information section of the booklet under “Interpreting National Standards and Levels”. The letter refers to how securely the student is working within this level:

(b) working solidly at this level

(a) moving out of this level, towards the next

Why is there such variation of levels in different subject?

Pupils will have had very different exposure to different subjects at Primary School. You may therefore expect that the level for a previously studied subject will be initially higher than that given for a newly studied subject. So, you cannot compare the levels between subjects, you are only looking for progress within a subject. Further information on this can be found in the subject pages of the Guide to Assessment.

Should I be concerned that the level has remained static in a subject?

If there is cause for concern, this will be communicated through written comments or through a telephone call from the Senior Tutor. A static level may not be cause for concern as progress is not necessarily linear. It may just be because a new skill has been introduced. However, you should see progress from the start of the academic year to the end and within a Key Stage. Further explanation of this can be found in the Guide to Assessment.

Why is the Year 7 baseline lower than the level achieved at the end of Primary School?

At the start of Year 7, each student completes a subject specific baseline test. This enables teachers to measure the student’s current attainment level at the start of Year 7 in that subject. This can then be used to enable the subject teacher to set targets and measure each individual’s progress. There will have been a long period since the final Key Stage 2 assessment carried out in Primary School and the baseline test that takes place at the start of Key Stage 3. This may well be the reason for this difference.

How do I interpret the “working to deadlines” data?

1. Always hands in work on time.

2. No more than 2 items of late work.

3. More than 2 items of late work.

4. Not applicable as no work is handed in for this subject.

In Year 9, why do some subjects record attainment in Grades and others record attainment in Levels?

Subjects that have started their GCSE work in Year 9 will report attainments in Grades, whereas subjects that are continuing with the KS3 courses will report attainment in Levels. When looking at GCSE grades, remember that these are present performance grades and not projected grades.

How is the GCSE Minimum Target Grade derived?

For subjects that have started their GCSE course, attainment will be reported as a grade. You will also be provided with a Fischer Family Trust (FFT) target grade. This is a GCSE prediction made from Key Stage 2 results. These predictions take into account the individual subjects and a number of other pupil factors and are provided for the school. The FFT target is the minimum grade that we would expect the pupil to achieve in their GCSE examination in that particular subject.

Key Stage Four Reporting – Frequently Asked Questions

Top of page

How are KS4 targets agreed?

What information is included in reports?

How do I monitor progress?

How are KS4 targets agreed?

Pupils are provided with a minimum target grade for all subjects that they study, and this is the Fischer Family Trust (FFT) target grade. This is a GCSE prediction made from Key Stage 2 results. These predictions take into account the individual subjects and a number of other pupil factors and are provided for the school. The FFT target is the minimum grade that we would expect the pupil to achieve in her GCSE examination in that particular subject. If a student does not have any KS2 data, then they will be provided with a target based upon their CATs result.

Targets are shared with each pupil during a teacher-pupil conversation. During the GCSE course, targets may be reviewed depending on attainment and progress.

What information is included in reports?

Autumn Term

Year 10

Each pupil’s current attainment level is reported as a grade. In addition to this, “working to deadlines” is also reported. This is reported as a number with the following meanings:

1 – all work has been submitted on time.

2 – no more than two pieces of late work.

3 – more than two pieces of late work.

4 – not applicable (this subject does not set formal homework)

Year 11

As above and a parent/carer meeting is also offered to discuss a pupil’s individual progress with each of their subject teachers.

Spring Term

Year 10

A parent/carer meeting is offered to discuss individual progress with each of the subject teachers. A further report is also issued that includes current attainment and “working to deadlines” for each of the subjects which are studied. This is accessed through e-Portal.

Year 11

A written report is issued that includes comments from both form tutors and subject tutors on pupil progress. Attainment and "working to deadlines" is also reported.

Summer Term

Year 10

A full written report on pupils’ progress for the year in each subject is available on e-Portal. This includes comments from both form tutors and subject tutors on pupil progress. Attainment and “working to deadlines” is also reported.

By comparing the attainment grade with the FFT grades previously received, you should be able to monitor progress throughout the Key Stage.

GCSE results for subjects that take specific units will be reported through ePortal in August.

Year 11

GCSE results will be reported in August.

Throughout the term, the progress of pupils will be monitored against the FFT targets and shared with the pupils. If we are concerned about progress, we will contact you.

How do I monitor progress?

Attainment is provided as a grade and you are also provided with a Fischer Family Trust (FFT) target grade for each subject. This is a GCSE prediction made from Key Stage 2 results. These predictions take into account the individual subjects and a number of other pupil factors and are provided for the school. The FFT target is the minimum grade that we would expect the pupil to achieve in her GCSE examination in that particular subject.

As the academic year progresses, and the pupil approaches the GCSE examinations, you would expect the attainment grade to match the FFT target grade.

Pupils record their individual subject targets and their current attainment grades in their planners. They will also have recorded written “next step” targets either in their planner and/or within their subject work and so will be able to explain to you their current progress within each subject area. We encourage you to engage in a dialogue together about current progress within each subject, current attainment and next steps to improve.

If there are concerns about progress within particular subject areas, we will contact you. However, if you are concerned, then please do contact us.