KS3 Progress
Key Competency Assessment (Years 7, 8 & 9)
In Key Stage 3, students are assessed using a variety of methods, including homework, quizzes, essays, and tests. Teachers also observe group and individual work in some subjects. This information helps teachers make judgments about how well students are performing in key aspects of each subject, which we call Key Competencies (KCs). Please note, Maths and Science are trialling Rank Order Groups (click here for more information).
Our Key Competency assessments are designed to match the National Curriculum for each year group. This year, parents will receive two reports:
- A mid-year report with an overview of their child's Key Competency judgments across all subjects.
- An end-of-year report providing a more detailed summary, including Key Competency judgments for each specific aspect assessed in every subject.
It's important to understand that Key Competency judgments are not predictions of GCSE performance. However, as a guide:
- Students judged as secure in a subject are generally well-prepared to achieve a strong pass at GCSE level.
Most subjects introduce new Key Competencies over the year, and reports will reflect this. However, English revisits the same Key Competencies throughout the year, so performance may appear lower in earlier reports.
Key Competency Judgments:
- Mastered: The student can use this skill fluently, even in complex or unfamiliar situations.
- Secure: The student consistently applies this skill without needing support.
- Emerging: The student has begun to develop this skill but is not yet secure.
- Beginning to Emerge:
- B3: The student can produce written work with support.
- B2: The student can respond verbally with some detail and key vocabulary.
- B1: The student can respond verbally with support.
- Not yet demonstrated: The student has not yet shown this skill, even with support.
We hope this system provides a clear understanding of your child's progress and areas for growth. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
