Assessment and
monitoring of a Year 10
student
James Thomson,
Academic Director
Mentor grades and assessment grades
• Entering of mentor grades from subject staff in each subject in a 2 week time period.
• Accessible through the parents portal.
• More formal ‘Assessment grades’ on performance over a longer time period, at half term
in the autumn and summer.
• Tutors meet with students to discuss mentors and interventions if appropriate.
• Tutors meet with Mr Shippen, Head of Year 10, regularly to discuss strategies for
improvement.
• A serially underperforming student is then discussed with myself and Mrs Makin and
supportive interventions are put in place to bring them ‘on track’
YELLIS
• YELLIS uses historical data and a scientific approach.
• A test is taken by students which provides us with a predicted grades
for students in all subjects at GCSE.
• We use a combination of these and professional judgement to help us
‘target’ students appropriately.
GCSE reform
• New GCSEs in the following subjects: Maths, English, Physics, Biology,
Chemistry, Music, PE, Spanish, French, Art, Drama, Fashion
• They will be graded 9-1.
• Level 4 is a pass and 5 is a good pass.
• More levels so the thresholds are not the same as the lettered grades.
• For example= Old ‘C’ grade stretches across levels 4 and part of 5.
• It is designed to differentiate more between students .
• Also to catch up with world leaders, measured in attainment standards of 15
year olds (China, Singapore, Finland, Australia) as part of the PISA report.
• All subjects not listed remain lettered
• The letter graded subjects are no less relevant and fully recognised
GCSE/IGCSEs when applying to university and the workplace
The Year 10 Tutor’s view
Subject
Maths
English
History
Geography
Grade
Comment
8
Excellent test on simultaneous equations and James did the
extension task in both preps.
5
James is on track for a level 5 following a great written piece
on Wordsworth’s poem.
C
James is just about on track for a C but James needs to
revise WW1 more thoroughly – 11/20 in test.
D
James achieved 40% in the recent topic test on glaciation.
Given his potential, this suggests a serious lack of revision.
Reporting
• Mentor grades fortnightly
• Half term assessment grades in Autumn and Spring
• A full report at the end of the Spring term
• A Parents’ Evening before Christmas - 22nd November