TARGET SETING and TRACKING STUDENT PROGRESS

1. TARGET SETING and TRACKING STUDENT PROGRESS • Raising Standards & Widening Participation Conference  Learning Plus UK • Friday 6th February 2009 • Session 3 [14.30 – 15.40] • Richard Hand rhand@westberks.org  Head of Year 12 • Steve Raynersrayner@westberks.org  Senior Teacher

2. Target Setting and Tracking Student Progress • To include: • Setting Target Grades at Little Heath for Year 12 students • Tracking these Students • Academic Review Day • ALPS  a very, very brief introduction • Predicting your future ALPS AS Subject Score AND then (hopefully) being able to do something about it in advance!

3. LITTLE HEATH SCHOOLand Yr.12 Target Grades • Using ALPS AS Predictions, a ‘simplified’ MINIMUM Target Grade for each student is determined, using their Average GCSE Points Score and the relevant band. • In October of Yr.12 students, in discussion with subject staff, are asked to set themselves an ‘Aspirational’ AS level TargetGrade for each AS subject  I.e. their Minimum Target Grade OR Higher, thus adding some challenge

4. Consider your achievements at GCSE National organisations (ALPS & ALIS) provide data to help students understand what students can expect to achieve at A Level, based on prior performance. The ALIS test that you will take at the end of September will also give you predictions based on natural ability and your GCSE results. How can I set realistic targets? If I work hard, in and out of lessons, I’ll show them achievement!

5. National Average Student Progress GCSE to A Level Student GCSE Score Expected A Level Grades 7.5 - 8.0 A- 7.0 - <7.5 B+ 6.7 - <7.0 B- 6.4 - <6.7 B- 6.1 - <6.4 C+ 5.8 - <6.1 C- 5.5 - <5.8 C/D 5.2 - <5.5 D+ 4.7 - <5.2 D+ 4.0 - <4.7 D+ [ A* = 8; A = 7; B = 6; C = 5; D = 4; E = 3; F = 2; G = 1. ] Challenge Yourself

6. These LHS Students Made Brilliant Progress 2005 - 2007

7. The Contract My target grades and standards I agree to submit work to deadlines. I understand that I may be asked to repeat work that is below the standard of which I am capable. I will set target grades in each subject during September that will be equal to or higher than my minimum target grade. A 95% minimum lesson attendance. Attendance below this may jeopardise your chances to progress onto or continue with A2 courses (or other qualifications being studied). One to One Meetings On Wednesday – Friday One to One time is scheduled for 2.05 – 2.25 (Except for Year 12 who have a whole group Tutorial on Thursday). Tutors will meet with students on a One to One basis to review progress, discuss future plans and any concerns. Appointment times will be made to suit a student’s timetable. You must not miss these appointment times.

8. SETTING AS / A LEVEL TARGETS Name: Thomas Adams 12-WDA Based on your GCSE grades in August 2008 your average point score per GCSE entry in terms of predicting AS and A Level performance was: The Advanced Level Performance System analyses the GCSE results of pupils who go on to study Advanced Level (AS and A Levels) in Sixth Forms across the country and the box below shows how students who achieve your average grade at GCSE usually go on to perform at Advanced Level nationally: The grade(s) above represent your minimum target grades for AS / A Level and well-motivated students can do even better at Little Heath School. There is no need to put a ceiling on what you might achieve if you are prepared to work hard. Your subject teachers will be aware of your minimum target grades and will expect you to produce work that attempts to reach these standards. You have signed a contract in which you agreed to do this and can expect to be asked to complete work again if it falls below your true potential. In the fortnight leading up to Friday 17 October, you will be asked to set individual targets with your subject teachers. You can agree your minimum target grade but it would be good to add some challenge in subjects where you have made a confident start. Hard work should enable you to target the best grades possible. Good Luck! R Hand Head of Year 12 September 2008

9. Year 12 Introductory Report – November 2007 Name: Emily Baldwin 13-SWO The table below shows the Attitude to Learning grades that Emily has been awarded. It also shows the target grades that Emily has agreed with her subject teachers. Emily has been set minimum target grades based on her GCSE results - C The attitude grades should be interpreted as follows: 4 She has made an excellent start to the course and has an outstanding attitude to learning. 3 She has made a good start to this course and has a positive attitude to learning. 2 She has made a rather varied start to this course and has an inconsistent attitude to learning. 1 She has made a disappointing start to the course and has a poor attitude to learning, this is a cause for concern ‘Yes’ will have been entered in any of the other column only if the subject teacher believes that this applies. • AS Grades: A, B, C, D, E and U. • BTEC Grades: D (Distinction), M (Merit), P (Pass). • Courses studied by students in Year 12 • AS or Applied AS Level subjects, which lead to an AS grade and then on to A Level. • Applied AS Level Double Award subjects which lead to two AS Level grades at the end of Year 12 and then on to two A Levels • BTEC courses where a pass or higher is equivalent to four C Grades at GCSE.

10. Emily Baldwin 13-SWO March 2008 AS Level Grades; A-E are pass grades; U = Fail; X = did not sit all components. BTEC Grades; D (Distinction), M (Merit), P (Pass). Attitude to Learning Grades 4 = Consistently works hard and has an outstanding attitude to learning. 3 = Usually works hard and has a positive attitude to learning. 2 = Sometimes works hard and has an inconsistent attitude to learning. 1 = Rarely works hard and has a poor attitude to learning. Some subjects that had actual units in January did not have mock examinations. If Emily took any modules in January a statement of her results is included. The grade in the mock column reflects the teacher’s assessment of current progress. Miss Page’s comments for Mrs S Hart and Emily You have the opportunity to discuss this report and Emily’s general progress with her subject teachers on Wednesday 26 March. Emily ought to attend the meeting as she has the central role to play in improving her performance further. Our intention is to focus Emily on what she should do in May and June so that the results issued on Thursday 14August accurately reflect her ability. Emily has previously received a copy of her Statement of Entries, which includes the dates of most of this summer’s examinations. Dates and times of Modern Foreign Language orals will be given to the candidates by their teachers. Year 12 will have study leave from Thursday 15 May until Friday 13 June. If Emily has an exam before Thursday 15 May she will have additional study leave the day before, her A Level courses will commence on Monday 16 June. The parents’ meeting on 26 March will take place in the Maths Block between 4.30p.m. and 6.30p.m. Emily should already have made appointments for this evening, and we look forward to seeing you then.

11. ALPS  A Brief Introduction[ ADVANCED LEVEL PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS] • Using the students Average GCSE Points Score, ALPS generates an Expected AS / A Level Grade and a corresponding Expected AS / A Level Points Score see table to the right. • This will then be compared with the students actual AS / A Level Grade and its equivalent AS / A Level [UCAS] Points; (using the system: A – 60 , B – 50 , C – 40 , D – 30 , E – 20 for AS Levels and A – 120 , B – 100 , C – 80 , D – 60 , E – 40 for A levels ).

12. More on ALPS • For the class/subject/school, the Total [UCAS] Points Actually Achieved (from AS / A levels) by all the students is calculated, and also the Total Points Expected by ALPS is also calculated. • The Expected Total and the Actual Total are then compared to generate your Subject Score, and whether you are ‘Red Hot’ through to ‘Cold Blue’, in-terms of Value-Added! (The 1  9 Subject Scores) • If the Actual Total is more than the Expected Total  you have added value!

13. LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL &AS Level Predictions in Yr.12 • At the start of March, Yr.12 Subject Staff will be asked to Predict AS level grades for their students, just after a 2-week Mock Exam window. • These Staff Predictions can then be used to help Predict the future ALPS AS Level Subject Score that normally arrives in September, after AS Level results day  provided students do go on to achieve the same AS grade as staff Predicted! • This means there are no surprises and you now have (potentially) the chance to do something about a poor/mediocre ALPS Subject Score, by working with students who are identified as Under Achieving AND ensuring those border-line students do hit the required grades

14. LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL &AS Level Predictions in Yr.12 • Now to use the AS Level ALPS Predictor, using these Staff Predictions, for their actual AS level results. • This will (hopefully) clearly identify students who need extra support to help them achieve (or even beat) their ALPS Expected Grade & Score over the next few crucial months. •  see handout for the AS Level ALPS Predictor_Master Copy and The exemplar data (next slide) which will illustrate (hopefully) how it works.

15. LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL &AS Level Predictions in Yr.12 Exemplar data to be used in the AS Level ALPS Predictor  using Staff Predictions as the students’ actual AS grades, but you could use Mock Grades etc.

16. LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL &AS Level Predictions in Yr.12 • Hopefully you have seen that students are clearly identified as Over / In-Line / Under Achieving, in relation to their ALPS Expected Grade and your own Predicted Grade, and those that are ‘at risk’. • Hopefully you will have seen the impact on your Class/Subject ALPS Score by improving just a few students’ AS Level Grades. • All (?) you need to do is work with those students to ensure they do achieve those grades, but at least ‘the ball is in your court’ and you have some time to do this! • Please note  some ‘short cuts’ have been used, so the ALPS score is only approximate.

17. Target Setting and Tracking Student Progress • If you need any more help / advice / information on anything we have talked about  please do contact us. • We are more than happy to receive visitors to find out more about what we do at Little Heath School. We are a RATL accredited Specialist School. • Richard Hand rhand@westberks.org  Head of Year 12 • Steve Raynersrayner@westberks.org  Senior Teacher