Test Results

At the end of the Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 pupils will sit national tests and tasks (popularly called 'SATs'). An attainment target sets out the knowledge, skills and understanding which pupils of different abilities and maturities are expected to have by the end of each key stage. Attainment targets consist of eight level descriptions of increasing difficulty, plus a description for exceptional performance above level 8. Each level description describes the types and range of performance that pupils working at that level should characteristically demonstrate. At the end of Key Stage Four they will sit GCSEs. At Key Stage Four, national qualifications are the main means of assessing attainment.

National Curriculum levels measure pupil progress in each subject. They are like rungs of a ladder: children move up through the levels year by year.

	Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7)	Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11)	Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14)
Level 8
Level 7
Level 6
Level 5
Level 4
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1

During the key stage, most children will work within this range of levels.
By the end of the key stage, most children reach the target (see below)
Note: the National Curriculum levels are not used for assessment at key stage 4.

Key Stage One

Pupils are tested in Reading, Writing (including Handwriting), Spelling, and Maths. The tests are spread over several days in the summer term to fit around other school work. All the tests added together last less than three hours. At the age of 7, most children are expected to achieve level 2B.

Key Stage Two

Pupils are tested in Reading, Writing (including Handwriting), Spelling, Maths, Mental arithmetic, and Science. The tests are set on days in the middle of May. All the tests added together last between five and five-and-a-half hours. At the age of 11, most children are expected to achieve level 4.

Key Stage Three

Pupils are tested in English (including reading, writing, and studying a Shakespeare play), Maths, Mental Arithmetic, and Science. The tests are set on days in the middle of May. All the tests added together last between seven and eight hours. At the age of 14, most children are expected to achieve level 5. Many will be expected to achieve level 6.

Key Stage Four (GCSEs)

GCSEs replaced O-levels and CSEs in 1988. Most pupils take GCSEs in most of their subjects. It usually takes two years to study for a GCSE. Coursework is part of most GCSEs: work over an extended period, which could include essays, field work reports, art work, making products, or investigations. GCSEs are graded A*-G. The grade pupils get will depend on coursework and exam marks. Pupils might take exams only once (at the end of year 11, aged 16) or twice (at the end of years 10 and 11).

At some time during year 10, teachers will decide which tier they should enter in each of their GCSEs. Each tier has a target range of grades that can be awarded. The aim is for pupils to take an exam in which their ability will be tested, without their being thrown off course by questions that are much too difficult or much too easy. Some GCSE subjects are not tiered: art and design, history, music and PE. All other GCSEs have tiers.

Maths has three tiers. The diagram below shows you the grades it is possible to reach in each tier.

A*	B	D
Higher
	Intermediate
		Foundation

All other subjects have just two tiers. Again, a diagram below shows which grades it is possible to achieve in each tier.

A*	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
Foundation
			Higher

The solid lines show the normal range of grades for each tier. The lighter area shows that pupils in the higher tier can go down one grade outside the tier. If they do badly in the exam, rather than being unclassified, they could get an E. This is called an 'allowed grade'.

We will decide which tier is right for each pupil around January before the final exam, after the bulk of work has been covered and they have the results of a mock examination.