During their School years it is vital that we monitor our students’ progress. By using National Assessment Data and our own internal procedures we can support and guide each individual in setting realistic academic targets and help each fulfill his or her potential at GCSE and beyond. To complement this process, we teach students revision and study skills and ensure that all students understand their own responsibility to work hard at School towards their future.
We recognise that every individual is unique and all tests are limited in what they can measure. The school therefore uses a range of tests and assessment techniques to build up an accurate profile of ability for each student.
In Year 7 we transfer all the information gained from the Primary schools onto our computerized database, specifically Key Stage 2 SATS results. In September we then conduct our own baseline test of ability, the Midyis Test. This gives the School an assessment profile across the whole year group and for individuals in the key areas of vocabulary, maths and non-verbal skills. SATS and Midyis results can not only tell us the current assessment levels for students but can also predict the expected progress that should be made by the end of Year 9. This helps the teachers monitor the work and effort of individuals and to inform parents of any problems.
Internal Assessment occurs on a regular basis in all subject areas across all year groups and the record of student progress is kept in detail by teachers and Subject departments, and summarised into our main school ICT assessment database. Parents are welcome to review and discuss this information at parents’ evenings or by specific appointment with senior staff. Students are given formal examinations from Year 9 onwards to prepare them for their final GCSE and A level exams and all this assessment information helps to place students in the correct sets for their ability. In this way we can focus our teaching skills to support the students in reaching their individual potential.
In Year 9 we conduct teacher assessments National Key Stage 3 and follow this in September of Year 10 with the Yellis baseline test. Both these ability indicators help the school to assess the progress being made by individual students in Year 7 to 9 and act as a verifying check against our own internal records. As with the tests in Year 7 they also predict expectations in the final GCSE exams and we send out to all parents of Year 10 students a copy of these suggested outcomes. This information again helps to motivate students and enables the staff to monitor progress over the vital GCSE period.
GCSE, Vocational qualifications, Certificate of Achievement course, GNVQ, AS and A level exams are the final assessments for all students as they finish their education.
Throughout the time at St Ninian’s every student has the opportunity to gain extra help and support at the weekly ‘Get Ahead Club’ at Upper and Lower School. When we identify students who are gifted and talented, or who are under performing, we offer specific help, guidance and support through extra revision sessions or mentoring programmes.
Our simple aim is for every student to reach his or her personal potential and gain success
