Curriculum Intent 

Excellence is learning in fulfilling, enriching, creative, safe, and happy disruption-free classrooms. Knowledge is delivered by expert, passionate teachers. There is challenge in our curriculum through the breadth of subjects offered and through the resilience and perseverance that is developed in all learners. Working hard at Danebury is a key value. All pupils will be supported and challenged to achieve academic excellence and to participate in the wider extra-curricular. Alongside this, the curriculum will develop students to be independent global 21st citizens. 

Formative Assessment, Feedback and Marking 

Principle: 

Formative assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning because it informs progress and enables a constructive dialogue between pupils and their teacher, providing feedback on how to move learning forwards.  Feedback should be acted on by pupils and this should be facilitated by teachers through lesson planning and adaptive teaching strategies. 

Part 2 – Summative Assessment and Reporting 

Principle: 

The assessment of learning is essential for: 

• Understanding and planning to overcome barriers to learning. 
• Ensuring coverage of the National Curriculum and exam specifications, identifying where pupils have been successful and where they need additional support and adaptations. 
• Reporting accurately to parents about their child's current achievement and progress. 
• Facilitating effective conversations with pupils about their progress and how they can develop as learners. 

KS3 Assessment Objectives 

• Subject leads are expected to produce KS3 Assessment Objectives for each year group.  
• ​​​​​​​Assessment Objectives are formed from the subject curriculums, the National Curriculum (KS2 and KS3) and GCSE specifications. 
• ​​​​​​​Expected standards – knowledge and skills are divided across KS3. They should be appropriately sequenced, building on the level of difficulty as pupils move towards KS4. They will be divided into four levels of competence: emerging, developing, securing and mastering. 

Reporting information will be used by the school in a variety of ways:

• We will follow a programme of moderation for all year groups.
• The SENCO and other leaders will use the information to measure the impact of any prior interventions and evaluate their success. SEND Pupil Plans and EHCPs will be updated. If a pupil is unable to access the curriculum, the school will follow statutory guidance. Parents will be informed on an individual basis.
• CAT scores (taken in Year 7) will be used to support teaching and learning and to identify inconsistencies in learning which might require additional support.
• Faculty/subject leaders/SENCO and Key Stage Leaders, along with SLT, will analyse the data to identify next steps, plan interventions and make adjustments to the curriculum;
• Heads of Faculty/Subject/Key Stage will be responsible for reporting to SLT and putting in place actions in relation to the evaluation of pupils' progress within the cohort;
• The school will share information with the Local Authority and MAT as required.

Reporting calendar

• For Years 8, 9 and 10 there will be one Parent and Carer Consultation evening – these can be seen on the school's website.
• In Year 7, there will be an additional “settling in” Parent Consultation evening with Tutors during the first term.
• In Year 11 there will be an additional final (short) report following the second round of mocks in the spring term, followed by an additional Parent and Carers Consultation evening.
• Year 9 will also have a Curriculum evening where parents and carers can discuss progress.
• The school will use FFT data to set target grades.
• These will be the basis from which attainment levels will be ascertained.

GCSE Assessment Information

To view the comparison of the new GCSE 9-1 grade system with the old system, please click here.

Please click the link below to view the subject grade descriptors for GCSE’s grades 9-1

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grade-descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1