What is being taught?

The way pupils learn

Pupils of all ages are encouraged to develop skills which make them independent learners. The skills of communication, numeracy, problem solving, information technology, personal, social and study skills are all encouraged and developed.

When pupils move to a secondary school at the age of 11, the emphasis on learning by doing still remains the same. Pupils will be encouraged to work together to solve problems, use computers to access, communicate, handle and interpret information and to investigate and research specific information and/or subject areas.

Pupils will normally be given regular homework. Most schools will provide a homework diary or log book in which to record homework and other important information and parents are encouraged to sign and comment in it on a regular basis.

Knowing how well your child is doing

The National Curriculum sets out how each pupil is assessed. Most 11 year olds are expected to achieve level 4 of National Curriculum programmes of study. Most 14 year olds are expected to achieve level 5 or 6.

Each year parents receive a written report containing information on their child’s progress and attainment in academic subjects and on other aspects of their school life.

At the end of key stage 3 (the end of Year 9), the report sent to you by the school will tell you what level your child has achieved in national tests in English, maths and science and teachers will also make an assessment in all subject areas showing your child’s attainment against national standards and explaining what the results show about your child’s progress.

The report will also tell you the average results of other children of the same age group in the school.

At the end of key stage 4 (the end of Year 11), most pupils will be assessed through GCSE examinations. Throughout their school career pupils are encouraged to record achievements both in and beyond school, for example taking part in a school drama production, Duke of Edinburgh award schemes, involvement in a youth club or playing a sport.

This information contributes to the National Record of Achievement (NRA) which pupils will continue to use and add to when they move on to sixth form college, further education college, training or employment they will then have a permanent record of everything they have valued in their school years.

This page was last updated on 3 October 2009