How will I know if my child is progressing ? 22/09/2018 Quality, Care, Integrity

School marking policy Marked tasks will be awarded a SUCCESS and a TARGET.

Success This will indicate what went well, whether objective was met, indication of whether progress was made.

Target Tip ; Think ; Challenge.

Quality, Care, Integrity Progress Pen Students encouraged to use the Progress Pen to highlight/annotate areas of work where they have ACTED upon a TARGET and made changes in their own learning. Opportunity for student reflection to be planned into lessons/tasks. 22/09/2018 Quality, Care, Integrity

In 2017 these new grades will be used for English and Maths – it will be used for other subjects in subsequent years as they complete their first new GCSE curriculums.

In 2017 colleges will accept Grade 4 as the benchmark measure, but this is expected to rise to Grade 5 in subsequent years.

How will we assess progress? Simple and straightforward. Students are assessed in clear, linear way. -Provides a clearer pathway towards KS4. KS3 becomes more ‘relevant’ with assessments based around GCSE grades. -Provides staff with opportunity to develop expertise of new GCSE grades/curriculum by using these grade descriptors across all year groups 22/09/2018 Quality, Care, Integrity

What next? Internal and external moderation from January onwards. SEPTEMBER 2016 Outline intentions to parents at scheduled Parent Guidance Evenings. CJ/NP devise ‘flight paths’ for different student abilities. What next? 10th OCTOBER 2016 HoDs provided with template to write 1-9 descriptors for their subject, with additional info/examples also provided. OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2016 HoDs write templates for subjects. DECEMBER 5th and 12th 2016 HoDs discuss grade descriptors with department staff. JANUARY 2017 Launch the system for Years 7,8,9. JW communicate to students and parents. Internal and external moderation from January onwards.

Assessment information As printed in the booklet on Page 1 Information Date Grade Card 1 December 15th 2016 Grade Card 2 March 7th 2017 Parents’ Evening April 20th 2017 Grade Card 3 June 13th 2017 22/09/2018 Quality, Care, Integrity

Improving literacy Your son or daughter has received a spelling journal; different classes have different versions. The journal is intended to tackle the trend for the decline in reading and spelling routines once children leave primary school; it is proving to have a sustained significant impact on students’ reading and spelling ages. The best outcomes are owing to consistency of routine and parental support. School expects that all KS3 students will read and learn spellings as part of their homework routine each week.

The spelling journal explained There is a weekly spelling list, sorted by theme; these are informed by the KS3 spelling bank and Heads of Subject. With the lists is information on spelling rules, recommended strategies and links to games, designed to support and reinforce the learning of spellings. Learning of the spellings is underpinned by a discrete lesson each week in KS3, where the focus is language study. Lastly, there is a progress tracker, so that you can see your child’s achievement each week and look at any spellings they got wrong.

homework routines Spaces for parents or carers to sign to record reading completed and spelling practised throughout the week Space for students to comment on their reading; this can generate some very useful dialogue between teachers, students and home

Reading As with the spelling, this is part of each KS3 student’s expected homework routine There will be lots of activities in school throughout the year to promote reading, but the most powerful tool in supporting students’ reading is an adult at home There is a leaflet available to take away with tips to support reading at home as well as links to useful websites.

This site is brilliant! Click on this link for video tutorials Use these links to access recommended reads

Lastly! Having a dictionary and thesaurus will significantly benefit your child’s literacy and is recommended as part of their equipment. We will offer interactive workshops where we look at reading and spelling strategies in more detail. We will offer literacy interventions for selected students; more information will follow. We will host a range of whole school enrichment events across the year in celebration of literacy. Please do feel free to ask us any questions, seek our advice or to give us your feedback on the reading and spelling procedures.

Quality, Care, Integrity School Expectations Attendance – Minimum target 96.5% (below 92% - cause for concern) Punctuality – Target 100%. When students are late they are missing learning. Uniform/Equipment – Weekly checks (including homework tasks) Mobile phones E Safety 22/09/2018 Quality, Care, Integrity

Quality, Care, Integrity E Safety @ Elton Clear reporting procedures within school. Staff recognise and are aware of e-safety issues. Effective use of support staff and peer mentors. Reinforced within the curriculum and through our Student Development Days. 22/09/2018 Quality, Care, Integrity

Quality, Care, Integrity E Safety @ home 71% - Parents – Feel they know less about the internet than their children. Guidance Booklet. Regular updates through the newsletter. Contact school for any further advice if you have concerns. Remember that your child’s devices ultimately belong to you! 22/09/2018 Quality, Care, Integrity

Extra-Curricular Activities Homework Club 3pm – 4pm Monday – Thursday Other clubs – see the information provided within the booklet by each subject The benefits:- More engaged in school Builds character Builds self-esteem Teaches respect Teaches discipline/time management Enables the development of friendships 22/09/2018 Quality, Care, Integrity

Who can I contact for support? Form Tutor Mr Aldred – Year 7 Learning Coordinator Miss Helme – AHT Student Support Mrs Barlow – SENCO Heads of Subject – see booklet Other Senior Staff – see booklet 22/09/2018 Quality, Care, Integrity

What Do I Need To Know? What support is in place for my child’s transition? How is the curriculum organised? How will I know if my child is on target or otherwise? What are the school’s daily expectations? What are the extra curricular options? Who do I contact in school?

I attended last night and it was really impressive (it was actually quite difficult to drag the kids home!).  I was talking to numerous parents who had brought their children, who are not necessarily in the catchment area or living on the fringe.  Several of them were desperate to get their children into the school but they fear that they have no chance and know that it is already heavily oversubscribed (they still attended though in the hope that they would get in).

Really friendly pupils and staff. Lovely feel to the school. (Chesham Primary) Fantastic. Very impressed with the school, especially the children - so polite and calm and such friendly staff. (Our Lady of Lourdes) Stunning classrooms and very nice, pleasant pupils. (Old Hall Primary) Lovely tour by the two girls and excellent building, friendly staff and super atmosphere. (Christ Church Ainsworth) Very, very impressed by the work. (Chantlers Primary) Very friendly teachers and students. Lovely feel to the school. (Christ Church Ainsworth) Fantastic, airy, bright modern school! Wonderful guides very helpful. (Christ Church Ainsworth) Excellent tour. Girls were very well informed and well mannered, staff very helpful. (Christ Church Walshaw)

MORAL VALUES Try your best – all day, every day Communication RESPONSIBILITY ACCOUNTABILITY Communication Teach Prepare Support Uniform Equipment Homework MORAL VALUES