Assessment and reporting

Teachers regularly assess progress in lessons using a variety of methods such as quizzes, review exercises, questioning, student self-assessment or short multiple-choice tests. At other times, we use more formal assessments, projects or exams to judge progress over time. We ask our teachers to use the information they gather from these assessment processes to report summary progress data on every student at key points in the year as outlined in the table below. At each of these assessment points (AP), we update your child’s data report which you can then access securely through the MyChild at School app (MCAS). You will have the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress at Parents’ Evening. Each year group will have one Parents’ Evening per year, the timing of which will be published at the start of each year in the school calendar.

YEAR GROUP
FREQUENCY OF ASSESSMENT DATA COLLECTION
TIMING OF ASSESSMENT DATA COLLECTION
7
Twice per  year
February and  June
8
Twice per  year
February and  June
9
Three times per  year
November,  March and June
10
Three times  per year
November,  March and June
11
Twice per  year
December and  March
12
Five times  per year
October,  December, January, March and June
13
Four times  per year
October,  December, January and March

Your child’s data report will provide you with the following information:

  • For students in Key Stage 3, a judgement of the student’s performance in relation to age-related expectations on the E+/E-/M+/M-/D+/D- scale. This scale is explained in the first table below.
  • For students in Key Stages 4 and 5, a judgement of the student’s performance in relation to national grading criteria (GCSE grades 9-1; A Level grades A*-E;Vocational grades Pass/Merit/Distinction).
  • An indication as to whether the student is underachieving in each subject.
  • An Attitude to Learning (ATL) score for each subject, on a 1-4 scale. This scale is explained in the second table below.
  • Attendance record since the last assessment point.
  • The finaldata report of the year will include a detailed Form Tutor profile.

KEY STAGE 3 ASSESSMENT SCALE

YEAR GROUP
YEAR GROUP
E
+
-
The student has applied all the skills and knowledge expected and regularly meets additional challenges.
The student has applied allthe skills and knowledge expected and regularly meets additional challenges.
M
+
-
The student has applied all the skills and knowledge  expected.
The student has acquired all the skills and knowledge  expected.
D
+
-
There are gaps in the student’s skills and  knowledge that they are trying to close.
There are significant gaps in the student’s skills and  knowledge that will hold them back.

ATTITUDE TO LEARNING SCALE

ATL SCORE
DESCRIPTOR
1
Never gives  up, always ready to learn, respects the right of others to learn, engaged all  of the time and actively contributes.
2
Rarely gives  up, usually ready to learn, respects the right of others to learn, engaged  nearly all of the time and sometimes actively contributes.
3
Rarely gives  up, usually ready to learn, respects the right of others to learn, engaged  nearly all of the time and sometimes actively contributes.
4
Often gives up, not ready to learn, usually disregards the right of others to learn,rarely engaged and offers little contribution.

If you wish to gain a more detailed understanding of Assessment at Thirsk School, you can read our Assessment Policy in full by clicking on the link below.

Thirsk School and Sixth Form College Assessment Policy

01845 522024