Key Stage 4 Assessment Framework 

At Fulwood Academy Key Stage 4 (KS4) is designed as a cohesive two-year journey, starting from Year 10 and culminating at the end of Year 11. This period is essential for laying the foundation for lifelong learning skills and post-Key Stage 4 pathways including higher education and career opportunities.

In Key Stage 4 pupils follow an ambitious curriculum with clear defined end points. The curriculum is a framework for setting out the aims of our schemes of learning, including the knowledge, skills and understanding to be gained at each stage (intent); the teaching and learning of these skills, knowledge and understanding (implementation) and for evaluating what knowledge and understanding pupils have gained against expectations (impact/achievement).

We measure the impact of the curriculum through assessment. Assessment takes place in each lesson; it is important for teachers to know what pupils have understood and be able to reteach key concepts and knowledge that have not yet been embedded. It is also important to assess how well pupils can recall knowledge they have learnt over time; we do this through summative assessments.

Core Purposes of Assessment in KS4

Assessments in Key Stage 4 play a multifaceted role in the educational process, benefiting students, teachers, schools, and the broader educational system. They provide a structured way to measure progress, inform teaching practices, prepare students for future opportunities, and maintain high educational standards.

 

1. Measuring Student Achievement

Assessments during Key Stage 4  are crucial for evaluating students' understanding and mastery of the curriculum. This helps to:

• Determine the level of knowledge and skills acquired.
• Provide a benchmark against national standards.
• Identify areas of strength and weakness in individual subjects.

2. Informing Instruction

Assessment results guide teachers in tailoring their instruction to better meet the needs of their students. This includes:

• Adapting teaching methods to address areas where students are struggling.
• Providing targeted interventions for students who need additional support.
• Enhancing learning experiences by identifying and nurturing students' strengths.

 

3. Preparing for Further Education and Careers

GCSE results are significant for students' future academic and career paths. They serve to:

• Provide qualifications that are essential for entry into further education (A-Levels, vocational courses).
• Influence career choices and opportunities.
• Help students make informed decisions about their post-16 education and career options.

4. Developing Lifelong Learning Skills

Through the assessment process, students develop essential skills that are valuable beyond their school years, including:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Resilience and the ability to handle constructive feedback

Assessments

Listed below are the key assessments dates for 2024-25 assessments.

 

Year 10

 

AP1 - Week Commencing 14^th October 2024

AP2 - Week Commencing 10^th February 2025

AP3 - Week Commencing 12^th May 2025

 

Year 11

 

Baseline (English & Maths only) - Week Commencing 9^th September 2024

AP1 - Week Commencing 28^th October 2024

AP2 - Week Commencing 10^th February 2025

GCSE’S - Week Commencing 5^th May 2025

 

 

Reports and Feedback: Regular reports to parents/carers detailing student performance and areas for improvement.

 

 

Standardisation and Moderation

At Fulwood Academy, standardisation and moderation processes are embedded to ensure fairness, consistency, and accuracy in grading and evaluations, aligned with national standards.

• Standardisation ensures all teachers apply the same standards when marking students' work.
• Moderation confirms that the grades awarded are consistent and accurate across different teachers and schools.

 

Key Stage 4 Grading

The grading scale for GCSEs ranges from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest), with U (ungraded) indicating a fail. The table below summarise the grading structure

Vocational qualifications have different grading criteria (e.g., Pass, Merit, Distinction).

 

Support and intervention

 

Following assessments, Fulwood Academy will offer Year 11 intervention programmes.

 

The purpose of the intervention programmes will be to:

 

• Address individual learning needs and gaps.
• Enhance understanding of key subjects.
• Boost confidence and preparation for GCSE exams.
• Provide targeted support for students who may need extra help.

 

Online resources and revision materials are available to support independent practice. For example,  Maths, Sparx Maths.

Resources and further information

• Government Guidelines:  Key Stage 4 Curriculum, https://www.gov.uk/national-curriculum/key-stage-3-and-4
• Exam Boards: Information on specific GCSE subjects and specifications can be found on the websites of major exam boards, these include  AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC.