Assessment

The main purpose of Assessment is to support and promote the progress and development of the individual pupil. We believe, therefore, that assessment is part of the process whereby pupils come to feel valued as individuals, to acquire a positive self-image and to take pride in their achievements.

We make frequent assessments of pupils' class work and extended work and use formal testing at appropriate points during the school year.

We recognise special individual achievement by awarding subject and community commendations to pupils throughout the school. We celebrate pupil achievement at an annual awards ceremony, where we give a Diploma of Achievement to those who have shown outstanding commitment to school and extended work. We also present subject awards to recognise the achievement of an individual pupil in a particular area of the school curriculum.

Pupils are expected to make regular self-assessments of their own progress. From time to time, therefore, they will be asked to evaluate their work and achievements. All pupils benefit from regular academic tutorials that entail individual discussions with their tutor. The process places value on academic attainment and is designed to help pupils develop an awareness of their achievements and of the benefit of acquiring good study skills. At the end of each tutorial, pupils agree a set of personal targets, a copy of which is sent to parents.

We provide information to parents and guardians at regular intervals, to support the partnership that needs to exist between home and school in providing for the welfare of the individual.

For each year group, there is a consultation evening, when parents are invited to meet individual subject teachers. At a different time, parents of pupils in all years (except Year 11) receive a full profile giving a report on the pupil's progress in each subject, the effort they make to achieve and the level of their attainment. Areas for development will also be identified. The profile also contains a self-assessment by the pupil of the progress s/he is making towards her or his targets. Finally, parents of pupils in Years 8 to 13 also receive at least one brief progress report during the year.

The information from profiles and progress reports forms the basis of the Record of Achievement given to every Year 11 pupil. A substantial part of the Record of Achievement is prepared by the pupil. Experience has taught us that these documents are a source of pride to the students and that the prospect of their compilation is a motivation to succeed.

The information given above is a summary of the school's Assessment Policy, a copy of which is available on request from the Headteacher.