Impact and Assessment
Impact
Throughout the academy, we constantly review the impact of our curriculum. Our approach to assessment is summarised below:
1) Whole Class formative assessment: The X-axis of our Teach model serves as the literal and metaphorical foundation of each lesson. Purposeful Circulation = Purposeful Checking means the teacher is moving with intent. They are following a pre-planned circulation route and using zoning during the “Over to You” phase to target specific learners (such as SEND or high-prior-attaining learners).
2) Learning Checks and 3) Strengths and Actions: Executed at least once per half-term, Learning Checks and Strength and Action Checks are higher-leverage formative assessments designed to diagnose learner understanding of the immediate curriculum component. This process shifts the focus from passive grading to an active, metacognitive feedback loop.
4) End point assessments: for both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 curriculum. These assessments assess learners’ long-term retention of the knowledge mapped across our curriculum.
KS3
The KS3 curriculum is separate from the KS4 curriculum. This is because KS4 is designed to meet specific exam criteria, whereas KS3, is focused on providing learners with a broad and balanced curriculum; focusing on building the core knowledge and skills required to be successful in KS4 and beyond.
Because of this, it is important to note that the KS3 numerical data you receive from school is not a GCSE grade. At KS3, we call these Progress Descriptors, and they range from 1 – 7.
Each subject has carefully mapped out the criteria for each Progress Descriptor, ensuring clarity regarding what a learner needs to do next to progress. These are available on our website, on the ‘Subjects’ page.
Ms O’Neill is the Lead Practitioner in charge of Assessment and Progress Descriptors. Please get in touch with her if you have any questions.
KS4 Data
All data shared with parents and carers in Year 10 and 11 will follow the GCSE or BTEC grading system as illustrated below:
Grading new GCSE’s from 2017
Grades – BTEC and OCR
Year 10
| Date | Data | Format |
| September – November | KS4 course launch: initial data gathering | |
| W/C 23rd November | Year 10 Assessments in class take place – progress check point. | Mock exams marked by teachers. |
| Wednesday 16th December | Progress check point results shared: Current and EFL* grade shared | Arbor |
| W/C 19th April and 26th April | Year 10 Assessments in the Hall take place – progress check point. | Mock exams marked by teachers. |
| Thursday 17th June | Progress check point results shared: Current and EFL* grade shared | Arbor |
| Thursday 24th June | Year 10 Parents Evening – preparing for Year 11 focus including summer home learning. | Face to face at Wardle Academy. |
Year 11
| Date | Data | Format |
| Monday 19th October – Friday 6th November | Mock Exams: Series 1 | Formal mock exams marked by class teachers. |
| W/C 9th November | Spanish Speaking Mock exams | Marked by Spanish teachers. |
| Thursday 26th November | Year 11 reports sent to parents and Mock results day. | Arbor |
| Thursday 3rd December | Year 11 Parents evening | Face to face |
| W/C 1st February and 8th February | Mock Exams: Series 2 | Formal mock exams marked by class teachers. |
| Friday 12th March | Mock results day and Year 11 report sent home. | Arbor |
| Thursday 18th March | Year 11 Parent’s evening | Face to face |
| W/C 10th May | Year 11 GCSE Exams start | |
| Thursday 19th August 2027 | GCSE Results Day | In school collection |
Mr Taylor is in charge of Assessment at Key Stage 4. Please get in touch should you have any queries.
