Key Stage 3

Pupils have discrete lessons in English, Maths, Science, MFL, Humanities (Geography, History and Philosophical Thinking), Design & Technology, PE, Art, Drama, Music and Computing.

Subjects allocations at Key Stage 3 (years 7 to 9):

English, Maths	4 hours per week
Science, MFL, Humanities	3 hours per week
DT, PE	2 hours per week
Art, Drama, Music, Computing	1 hour per week

PSHE is delivered by tutors through a ‘rolling’ programme across the timetable so the timing of each session will change each week, with all pupils experiencing PSHE at the same time, allowing for a more cohesive programme.

The assessment system at Key Stage 3 is based upon the new GCSE numerical grading structure that was introduced as part of a far-reaching national reform of GCSE qualifications back in 2018.

We use FFT20 estimates to generate the 'Minimum Expected Grade' (MEG) for each pupil in each subject.  FFT look at how pupils nationally with the same KS2 scores achieved in each of their subjects at the end of Year 11 in the top 20% of schools nationally and generate an estimated grade for each pupil accordingly. This is also sometimes referred to as FFT20.  In the absence of Key Stage 2 data, where a pupil may not have sat these tests at primary school, then other data sources are used where available, e.g. Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT) scores and GL Assessment progress tests.

Similar to the old National Curriculum levels, there are 3 sub-grades within each band: a, b and c (with ‘a’ representing the top of the band).  Pupil progress can be tracked by comparing the expected progress at any point along the flightpath with the pupils’ actual attainment.

In the above example, a pupil starting at 1b would be expected to attain 2c by the end of Year 7 to be on track to achieve their MEG by the end of Year 11.  Comparing the example pupil’s actual attainment to their expected progress flightpath, they would have been below track at the end of Year 7 initially, but then on or above track from midway through Year 8 onwards.

Pupils’ Year 11 minimum expected grade (Y11 MEG) will be noted in each subject’s exercise book.  Pupils will also record ‘milestone’ assessments in a progress tracker in the front of each book.

There are three review points during the year, where pupils and parents will be provided with a report, outlining pupil progress compared to expected attainment, in each of their subjects; pupils will either be below, on or above track.  The minimum expected grade should not been seen by pupils as a limit on what they can achieve and at each reporting point, teachers will provide written curricular targets to inform pupils how they can move towards the next grade.

For more information on individual subjects please see the links on this page, or contact the relevant curriculum leader.