Academic

Assessment is carried out, not only to inform students and their teachers of how much and how well they have learned, but also to plan for future learning.

In the Primary Department, class teachers and subject specialists within the department carry out informed classroom observations and effective questioning to monitor what children can do and what they need to do next. Throughout the year work is carefully monitored against the National Curriculum objectives to determine where to pitch the teaching of specific aspects of the subject and to assess the progress children are making during lessons.

Assessment in the Early Years takes the form of an informal set of observations at various stages in the first two years; this is known as “Baseline Assessment”. In Key Stages 1 and 2 assessments take place regularly throughout each year. More formal tests take place in May to assess children’s reading ages (Y1-6) and levels in English and Mathematics (Y3-6). In Year 6 children are assessed in November and May in the core subjects of Literacy and Numeracy as well as in Science and topic work. These assessments are based on the National Curriculum SATs (Standard Assessment Tests).

In the Secondary Department, students’ work is assessed on a daily basis, through teacher observations and effective questioning in the classroom. Work carried out both in school and at home is corrected, marks are awarded and feedback is given. Frequent tests are set, usually at the end of a unit of work. All marks are recorded on an ongoing basis so that students may check on their progress and improvement. Throughout the year students are encouraged by both subject teachers and tutors to set themselves targets and then work hard to achieve these. At the end of each academic year, students take an examination in each subject.