Overview
As an aspirational academy we are committed to setting challenging targets for all students regardless of their starting point. A combination of KS2 SATs, the most current attainment 8 estimates, transition matrices, subject baseline tests and other standardised test scores are used as a guide to set all students targets that are challenging, yet realistic.
Target Setting in Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
In Key Stage 3, ambitious target percentages are given for the end of year 7, 8 and 9. Each subject leader personalises each students target at the start of year 7, 8 and 9 in their subject.
Subject Leaders are able to amend the targets should they feel this change is necessary and to allow the target to reflect the curriculum provision in their subject.
Target Setting in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)
In Y10, students are issued an ambitious and aspirational end of year percentage target, set by the subject leader, which takes into account their Y9 end of year 9 working at and target percentages, curriculum learning journey in Y10 and professional judgement of the subject leader.
In Y11, due to the absence of official KS2 finishing points for the students due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students are set an ambitious and aspirational GCSE target grade which takes into account the national attainment picture from the previous exam series along with the end of Y10 working at percentage of the students. This target grade is applicable across all of their subjects and is designed to encourage the students to perform as highly as they can and give them the drive and motivation to achieve ahead of their peers nationally.
Target Setting in the Sixth Form
Aspirational bespoke targets are set for our sixth form students using Key Stage 4 Average Point
Scores and Subject Specific National Transitional Matrices from the previous year’s results.
Sharing Target Grades with Students
At Erasmus Darwin Academy it’s an expectation that all students understand their target grade in all subjects. Target grades will be shared with students at the beginning of each academic year.
Should there be any amendment to target grades then this will also be shared with students.
Target grades will also be shared with students and parents/carers at the issuing of each progress report.
Assessment
Every subject has a programme of planned assessment tasks built into their schemes of work. These consist of a combination of checkpoints, which assess the students understanding at specific points over the course of the curriculum, and broader assessments which take place in line with the data capture schedule and are designed to assess the students understanding over all aspects of the curriculum they have covered at any given assessment point.
In the KS3, these periodic assessments are marked in terms of Mastery Analysis assessment criteria. These provide a sharp focus on developing key GCSE competences throughout the Key Stage, in preparation for entry to KS4.
In KS4 and KS5, the periodic assessments are marked in terms of GCE/GCSE/BTEC requirements as appropriate.