Student Assessment and Reporting

Secondary and United College Sixth Form

When teachers continually gauge the level of student understanding in the classroom, they can adapt learning to the needs of students and ensure they reach their full potential. Assessing students’ progress takes place in every lesson of every day (formative assessment) as well as through formal end of unit or end of term exams (summative assessment).

Formative Assessment

Teachers continually collect information on the quality of student learning to ensure that knowledge is secure and that misconceptions are addressed quickly. Formative assessment at Swindon Academy includes:

Do Now
Cold Call Questioning
Mini Whiteboards
Low-stakes Quizzing
Exit Tickets
Deep Marking Feedback
Knowledge is Power Quizzing

Summative Assessment

Students have their progress regularly assessed in all subjects. In Years 7-10 students are assessed twice, and in Year 11 they are assessed three times, in the academic year. The majority of subjects will be assessed with written examinations during our termly assessment weeks. Students receive comprehensive revision materials prior to their assessments to support them in preparing for their exams.

For the current academic year, exams are held as follows:

Term 1	Years 11 & 13: during October
Term 2:	Years 11 - 13: during November
Term 3	Years 7 - 10: during January
Term 4	Years 11 - 13 during March
End of Year	Years 7 - 10 & 12: during June. Results determine pathways/ sets from September the following year.

Reporting to Parents and Guardians

Parents/Guardians are regularly informed of their child’s progress throughout the academic year.

In Years 7-10 and 12, Parents/Guardians receive a report at the end of each of the six terms, indicating if their child is “on track” to make expected progress by the end of that academic year as well as their child’s learning behaviours. Parents/Guardians also receive a more detailed report at the end of Terms 2 and 6 with more detailed information on students’ progress in each of their curriculum subjects.

In Years 11 and 13, Parents/Guardians receive a termly report indicating current GCSE Working at Grades as well as an up-to-date prediction of students’ likely performance in their GCSEs or A Level examinations.

Following each formal exam, students’ progress is reviewed, and group changes are made to maximise their learning potential. Parents also receive a report through the post, as well as the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress with staff at our regular Year Group Subject Meetings.