The main types of assessment built into our curriculum are responsive assessment (a quick and efficient means of assessing in the moment), formative assessment (assessing student understanding after a sequence of learning), performance assessment (assessing understanding at the end of term) and summative assessment (assessing understanding at the end of the year). 

Formative assessment 

Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 are assessed every two weeks during our timetabled assessment hour. During these sessions, the students answer multiple-choice questions and complete an extended answer question based on the content of our curriculum. These sessions provide the students with retrieval practice to strengthen their long term memory and generates data for teachers on student understanding of current topics.  We call these sessions, ‘Formative Assessment Hour’ and each cycle, you are able to view the scores that your child received for each of their subjects, alongside a breakdown of which questions they got correct or incorrect (if looking at your child’s account).

Performance assessments

At the end of the term, students take performance assessments. The purpose of these is to assess student understanding of content taught in a term. Following each of these, you will receive detailed feedback on areas of the curriculum performed well and which areas still need some development. 

Summative assessments

At the end of the year, students take summative assessments. The purpose of these is to access the student’s learning over the course of the year. In core subjects we also use standardised tests in science, maths and English. These tests provide us with data to help identify students who may need additional support and allow us to identify patterns of performance. In addition, it allows for a comparison of our students against a national data set.

Students in Year 10 and 12 take mock examinations, where they will gain GCSE/A Level practice. 

Year 11 and Year 13 mock examinations:

Students sit these twice in the year, one set in the autumn term and then early in the spring term. 

Standardised tests:

Standardised tests measure performance relative to all other students taking the same test. These tests will provide us with data that allows us to identify who may need additional support, allows us to identify patterns of performance and allows for a comparison against a national data set. 

2026-27

 

Year 7

11th to 22nd January 2027
28th to 30th May 2027 (Standardised tests)
14th to 25th June 2027

Year 8

11th to 22nd January 2027
28th to 30th May 2027 – Standardised tests
14th to 25th June 2027

Year 9

4th to 8th January 2027
28th to 30th May 2027 – Standardised tests
7th to 18th June 2027

Year 10

30th November to 4th December 2026
15th to 19th March 2027
14h to 24th June 2027 – mocks

Year 11

2nd to 6th November 2026 – mocks
5th to 12th February 2027 – mocks
May 2027 – external exams

Year 12

11th to 15th January 2027
14th to 25th June 2027 – mocks

Year 13

5th to 9th October 2026
8th to 26th February 2027
May 2027 – external exams

 

Please watch our webinar about assessment below.