FAQ
Some parents have provided feedback asking important questions about the data.
What is a Minimum Expected Grade?Grades are shaded in different colours, why is this? Why is my child's grades different to the one they had at Middle School? When do I get a full written report? What homework is set? What is happening to support Gifted and Talented students? What are 'sub levels'? How do we get in touch with a member of staff?
What is a Minimum Expected Grade?
There is a national expectation that every student will make 2 levels of progress across each Key Stage. The Academy has looked at each child’s Key Stage 2 results and projected forward from that. A child achieving a Level 2 at Key Stage 2 would therefore be expected to be a Level 4 at the end of Key Stage 3. This is the minimum entitlement that your child should expect from their education at the Academy. For some students, those that the Academy adds considerable value to, the Minimum Optimum Grade is achievable. The Minimum Expected Grade is not a target for your child, it is the minimum your child should expect to achieve by the end of Key Stage 3.
Grades are shaded in different colours, why is this?
The colour shading indicates whether the student is on track to achieve their Minimum Expected Grade by the end of Key Stage. This is the same colour coding that Academy staff use to identify students not making the progress we would hope for and putting support in place to help them. Even a more able student may need support to make the expected progress of 2 levels over a Key Stage. Our data team will check the coding programmed to ensure the validity of information sent out.
Please note that in relation to Spanish and Expressive Arts both these subjects are new to the students. Given their lack of prior knowledge we do not expect them to be on track at this stage. We expect every student, at whatever level, to make progress over the Key Stage however.
Why is my child's grades different to the one they had at Middle School?
The Academy asks it’s staff to provide a grade based on the teacher’s professional judgment of where the student is at now. This is not meant to indicate where the student will be at the end of Key Stage. The colour coding of the document indicates if the student is on track to achieve their potential. The assessment level shows where the child is at now taking all factors into account and may be calculated in a different way to the Middle Schools.
When do I get a full written report?
Data is gathered on the students every six weeks. It is only right that we share this information with parents. A full written report and parents evening will be timetabled later in the year.
What homework is set?
Homework should be set and we have a timetable for this. This matter will be taken up with Heads of Department to ensure good, relevant work is being set.
What is happening to support Gifted and Talented students?
A gifted and talented coordinator has recently been appointed and a full programme will be in place in the future.
What are 'sub levels'?
As a national target the government expects each child to make two levels of progress across a Key Stage. A student at Level 3 at Key Stage 2 would expect to be Level 5 at the end of Key Stage 3. To help us track the student we divide each level into 3 sub levels, so a child on a Level 2b would expect to go through 2a, 3c, 3b, 3a, then 4c.
How do we get in touch with a member of staff?
Should you have a question about a particular subject please phone the school office on 01670 816111 and leave a message for your child’s teacher. The member of staff will be happy to get back in touch with you and if you are not satisfied you may choose to speak to the Head of Department. The school office will be able to direct you to the right person. The teacher or Head of Department will be able to give you the best explanation of what can be done to help address any problems your child faces. For more general enquiries the Head of Year may also be of assistance.
