ASSESSMENT AT ISLAND SCHOOL IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING VALUES
At Island School we believe that formative assessment is an essential and fundamental part of all classroom practice. We also believe that the ultimate aim of formative assessment is to enable pupils to become managers of their own learning and to be independent and reflective thinkers.
Many if not all of the school aims are supported by ongoing and effective formative assessment and whilst an important part of assessment involves a certain amount of “testing”, we understand that “you do not make a plant grow by measuring it”.
So we subscribe to the view that formative assessment is a rigorous form of nurturing that seeks to develop in pupils a capability to take ownership and control of their own progress.
Furthermore we believe that accurate and purposeful summative assessment is necessary, especially when results of such assessments are used formatively.
At Island School…..
· increasingly pupils become more reflective about their own performance, growing capability and the ways in which they learn as they move up through the school
· good assessment practice is derived from scrupulous attention to pupils’ progress and social development. Teachers and students work together on raising achievement and the development of the student as a whole person.
· assessment focuses on the education of the whole person and supports them to become lifelong learners.
· the quality of assessment has significant impact on attitudes to learning and on levels of attainment. It does this by stimulating and challenging pupils to learn effectively and by providing opportunities for pupils to take risks, to become inquiring, and knowledgeable, creative and caring people.
· pupils are encouraged to demonstrate their understanding in different ways
· teachers focus on how to improve the learning of individual pupils and use assessment to plan approaches to teaching and learning for individuals, sub-groups, classes and whole year groups.
· strategies and techniques for assessment are varied to meet individual learning needs.
· teaching methods actively involve pupils in analysis, discussion, experimentation and critical thinking
· written or oral assessment on pupil’s work provides both clear evaluation of level of achievement and sensible advice that leaves students with manageable action points and time to reflect on what they have learnt and what they need to do to progress.
· target-setting focuses on specific, relevant and achievable goals.
· carefully planned collaborative learning supports pupils progress and understanding..
· pupils’ progress is improved by thorough ongoing monitoring and support, based on informed dialogue among subject and pastoral staff about pupils’ academic and social progress and their attitudes, behaviour and personal development.
· pupils of all ages appreciate and understand the importance of teachers showing them how to move on to the next stage of achievement and value discussion about their progress with their tutor.
· the parents value well-written, personalized school reports, commenting on academic and social development. They also appreciate regular, informal consultation over and above that provided at conventional parents’ evenings.
· well-kept diaries are carefully monitored, are a valuable means of communication between pupils, parents and teachers.
Please download the school's full assessment policy ... here
English: Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11, Y12, Y13
Foreign Language
Chinese: Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11, Y12, Y13
French: Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11, Y12, Y13
Japanese: Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11, Y12 Ab Initio, Y12 Language B, Y13 Ab Initio, Y13 Language
Spanish: Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11, Y12 Ab Initio, Y12, Y13 Ab Initio, Y13
Self learning language
Mathematics: Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11, Y12, Y13
Science: Y7, Y8, Y9
Chemistry: IGCSE, IB
Physics: IGCSE, IB
Biology: IGCSE, IB
Individual and society
History: Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11, Y12HL, Y12 IB
Geography: Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11, Y12, Y13
Philosophy and Religious: Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11
Psychology: Y12, Y13
Creative arts
Visual arts: Y7, Y8, Y9, GCSE, IB
Drama: Y7 – 11
Music: Y7 - 13
Technology
Information and Communication Technology: Y7, Y8, Y10, Y11, Y12
Design and technology: Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10
Food technology: Y7 - Y13
Business
Business studies: Y10, Y11, Y12, Y13
Travel and tourism
Sports: Y7 Boys, Y7 Girls, Y8 Boys, Y8 Girls, Y10 Boys and Girls