Reporting and Assessment

At Paxman Academy, we believe that assessment is the vital bridge between teaching and learning. It is the essential tool that helps us understand if the intended learning has taken place and, more importantly, how we can help every student take their next steps. Our policy is rooted in rigorous educational research and is designed to make feedback specific, achievable, and impactful, driving incremental and sustained progress for all our learners.  

Our assessment strategy is built on the belief that the curriculum is the progression model. Assessments measure the extent to which students have secured the knowledge and skills they have been taught.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessments are centrally designed and occur at appropriate intervals (typically once per term) in every subject.

  • They are cumulative, building in retrieval practice skills by including content from earlier in the year to strengthen memory retention.

  • They are used to measure a student’s progress through the planned curriculum and allow departments to capture data diagnostically to effectively inform future teaching and identify learning gaps.

Key Stage 3 (KS3)

In addition to subject-specific assessments, we use standardised assessments like the NGRT (Reading) and Progress Tests (English, Maths, Science) at the end of Year 9 to reliably benchmark student skills and progress against national averages.

 

Key Stage 4 (KS4)

Assessment at KS4 is based around GCSE-style questions and grading criteria to fully prepare students for their final examinations.

  • Working At Grades (WaG) are generated from these assessments to reflect current performance and are reported to parents.

  • The data collection process includes formal Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs) in Year 10 and Year 11, along with termly in-class assessments.

  • Reporting also includes grades for Behaviour in class, Effort in class, and Homework (using a 5-point scale) to provide a holistic view of commitment and readiness to learn.

Our feedback and assessment policy ensures that teaching is always informed by student needs, driving a cycle of continuous improvement and helping every student reach their full potential.