Sir James Smith’s Community School STEPS GRID handbook A practical guide Key Stage 3

STEPS and the STEP Grid Handbook Monitoring and reporting attainment and progress throughout Key Stage 3 Dear Parent/Carer, Over the past 12 months we have been using the STEPS assessment model with our Key Stage 3 students. Each subject has a STEPS grid. Each grid is comprised of 9 ‘steps’ and a number of ‘strands’. The grid contains descriptors for what your child needs to be able to do to complete a ‘step’. After using the STEPS model for the past year, we have refined and updated some grids. Your son/daughter will start with a baseline ‘step’ in Year 7, which will be derived from KS2 data and baseline assessments they will complete in their opening weeks of Year 7. For Year 7 students, we will report the baseline step for each subject in the first report in mid-November. For Year 8 and 9 we will report the next progress data at this time. It is expected that most students would move up each strand by at least 1 step each year (3 steps over the course of the key stage)*. We feel very confident that what your son/ daughter experiences at Sir Jim’s is indeed a very comprehensive and professional package. This assessment model allows you as parents and carers the opportunity to be closely involved in their attainment, progress and target setting over the entire key stage. Below you will find a copy of the STEPs grid. Please keep this safe and use it to cross reference attainment on each report with content of the KS3 courses for each subject studied. You should receive three attainment reports throughout the year, as detailed below: Finally, please feel free to contact me directly if you have a specific question about the system which needs further explanation. Yours faithfully Mr. E. McGuffie Assistant Head Teacher – Curriculum

Introduction What is STEPS?   What is STEPS? Strategic Targets for Educational Progress and Success (STEPS) is an assessment and progress monitoring, tracking and reporting programme for secondary schools. How does it work? Upon arrival in Year-7, every student is assessed via a broad range of information and results available to the school. Subject teachers then place students at a baseline Step in each Strand and this becomes the starting point for each subject. A Step Point Score is generated which is an overall score for a subject. Each student is expected to make at least one Step of progress in the Step Point Score per year, with the exception of Science where progress has been built implicitly into the scheme of work. School reports You will receive three reports per year showing your child’s attainment and progress in every Strand in every subject and it will also show you the overall Step Point Score. When used in conjunction with this handbook, it will give you both a detailed and quick method of reviewing attainment and progress so far. It will also allow you to discuss targets to progress to the next Step. The STEPS grids Each subject has its own grid, these form the rest of this handbook. Each grid is a basic summary of all the work that can be covered in each of the Key Stage 3 Programmes of Study. Each subject follows a similar approach. Strands: these run along the top of the grid, they break a subject down into smaller topics or areas. There are between three and seven Strands per subject. Steps: These break a subject down into progressive Steps. There are nine Steps per Strand per subject; 1 is the lowest Step and 9 is the highest. Statements: Each Step has one or more statements. Students have to achieve all of these, and all of the ones in the Steps below, to be at that Step level. The Step Point Score Students will be given a Step score for each individual Strand in each subject. The Step Point Score combines these individual scores to give an overall score in a subject. If 3.6 was the baseline at the start of year-7, then the students would be expected to reach: 4.6 by the end of Year-7 5.6 by the end of Year-8 6.6 by the end of Year-9. This would be a minimum expectation and targets could be adjusted each year to maintain challenge for each individual.

 

Key Stage 3 Programme of Study 2018-19 - Maths Year Autumn-term Spring-term Summer-term 7 Higher: Analysing and displaying data Number skills Middle:   Lower: Calculations (4 operations, squares, cubes, etc) Equations, functions and formulae Fractions Expressions, functions and formulae Decimals and measures Coordinates and Graphs Angles and shapes Percentages Probability Factors and multiples Equations Ratio and proportion Angles and lines Multiplicative reasoning, using ratios Perimeter, area and volume Sequences and graphs Lines and angles Transformations Measuring and shapes Fractions, decimals and percentages 8 Factors and powers Working with powers Number Area and volume Number properties and calculations Shapes and measures in 3D 2D shapes and 3D solids Real-life graphs Statistics, graphs and charts Expressions and equations Statistics-graphs, charts & tables Fractions, decimals and percentages Decimals and ratio Decimal calculations Angles – measuring, in polygons and in parallel lines Constructions and loci – factors, multiples & primes Scale drawings and measures  Middle: Calculating with fractions Straight-line graphs Percentages, decimals and fractions Sequences Fractions and percentages 9 Students in Year-9 will follow the GCSE Specification.  

Probability & statistics Maths Higher   Step Strand 1 Number (Equal weighting) Strand 2 Algebra Strand 3 Ratio & proportion Strand 4 Geometry & measure Strand 5 Probability & statistics 9 All of the below and… G.P.s with surds Multi-step calculations with bounds   Geometric Progressions with surds Solve ratio problems using algebra Use the appropriate ratio to find a length, or angle, and hence solve a two-dimensional problem Histograms 8 Calculate with surds, rationalise the denominator Bounds nth term of a quadratic Simultaneous equations with a quadratic, also with graphical method Rate of change Combining 4 ratios into 3 ratios Use trig ratios to find angles in right-angled triangles Find the interquartile range of a large set of grouped data using a cumulative frequency chart 7 Calculate with roots, integer and improper fractional indices Rearrange difficult formulae Equation of line given 2 points, or 1 point and gradient Plot/interpret non-linear graphs  Understand and use inverse proportion Unitary method of ratio to find missing or surplus quantities Use trig ratios to find lengths of sides right-angled triangles Estimate the median of a set of grouped data using a cumulative frequency chart 6 Fractional indices (unit fractions) Recurring decimals into fractions % difference Expand 3 brackets y=mx+c, parallel/perpendicular lines Parallel & perpendicular (y=mx+c) Identify data that is proportional to the inverse of a variable Use ratio to find an amount given that 1 person has n more Use expressions of the form y is proportional to x2 Enlargements with negative SF Combined transformations Invariance Understand that the ratio of any two sides is constant in similar right-angles triangles Cumulative frequency Box plots Find the median class of a set of grouped data 5 % change, including original value problems, use of multiplier Index laws and negative indices Estimating calculations (1SF) Standard recurring decimals Simultaneous equations Factorise and solve quadratics (a=1) inc difference between 2 squares Geometric progressions Construct and solve equations with brackets, negatives and simplify Use expressions of the form y is proportional to x Use algebraic methods to solve problems involving variables in direct proportion Find a missing quantity using a ratio Surface area of prisms, spheres, cones and composite solids Arc lengths, angles and areas of sectors of circles Similar shapes and Congruency Loci Distance between points Enlargement (fractional) Probability tree diagrams Calculate an estimate of the mean of a large set of grouped data

Probability & statistics Maths Higher Step Strand 1 Number (Equal weighting) Strand 2 Algebra Strand 3 Ratio & proportion Strand 4 Geometry & measure Strand 5 Probability & statistics 4 All of the below and… Index notation, inc letters Inequalities with decimals Simplify expressions with powers Significant figures Reverse Percentage × and ÷ fractions, including by a mixed number Simultaneous equations graphically Expand 2 brackets, factorise into single bracket, rearrange formulae Trial and improvement to 1dp Index laws Equation of straight line and y = mx + c Inverse of a linear function and y = x Equations w brackets and denominators Relate ratios to fractions and to linear functions, write ratios as fractions Understand direct proportion as equality of ratios Write ratios in the form 1:n Share in ratios with more than 2 people Surface area of pyramids composite shapes Transformations Volume of prisms Pythagoras’ theorem. Circumference and area Interior/exterior angles of polygons Nets of 3D shapes Properties of triangles, congruent triangles Time series Scatter graphs, correlation, causation, interpolation and extrapolation Draw and use a line of best fit   3 x,÷ positive and negative integers Index notation e.g. 23 Estimation using significant figures Time as a mixed number Order decimals, x and ÷ decimals Compare a fraction and a percentage Best buy problems Prime factor decomposition HCF/LCM BIDMAS with fractions Calculate square and cube root Calculations with brackets 2 or 3 Use a calculator for powers. Rounding to any accuracy Order +ve, -ve numbers, decimals ± x,÷ fractions and mixed numbers Express one number as a % of another Fractions/recurring/terminating dec’s Order fractions, e quivalence of FDP Percentage increase or decrease Substitute into formula and expressions Equations with x2 Solve equations, variable on both sides nth term in an arithmetic sequence Generate linear and quadratic sequences Formulas, expressions, equations, identities Inverse of a linear function Writing repeated × as n, n2, n3 Simplify by multiplying terms Simplify expressions involving powers ×/factorise a single bracket Construct and solve linear equations Plot, recognise graphs of y = x, y = −x Midpoint of a line segment Generate four quadrant coordinate pairs of simple functions Plot/compare graphs of the form y = mx + c Proportions as fractions Simplify ratios expressed in fractions or decimals Unitary method to solve simple word problems involving ratio and direct proportion Divide a quantity in any ratio ÷ in a given ratio, inc decimals Graphs of direct proportion Recognise direct proportion from graph Identify and describe practical examples of direct proportion Best buy Areas of compound shapes Plans and elevations, 3D shape properties Linear and non-linear graphs Angles in parallel lines Reflection symmetry in 3D shapes Translations, rotations and reflections Reflection in y = x, y = −x Constructions Draw a triangle accurately given SAS Area of a parallelogram and trapezium Volume of a cuboid Convert between metric units, inc area Use plan, front and side elevations Draw 2D representation of 3D objects Draw/use graphs for dist–time problems Classify quadrilaterals Solve geometric problems using side and angle properties of special quadrilaterals Solve angle problems by forming equations Scatter graphs and correlation Use the language of probability to compare two events Probability from mutually exclusive events Use more complex 2-way tables Choosing mode, median, or mean to compare data Construct and use a stem and leaf diagram to find median and mode Interpret scatter graphs  

Probability & statistics Maths Higher Step Strand 1 Number (Equal weighting) Strand 2 Algebra Strand 3 Ratio & proportion Strand 4 Geometry & measure Strand 5 Probability & statistics 2 All of the below and… HTU x TU, HTU ÷ TU Calculations with > 1 step & brackets +, - with +ve and -ve integers Find all factor pairs for whole nos Find the HCF or LCM Squares, square roots, with a calc Factors, multiples, prime numbers Multiply by multiples of 10 Estimate using mixture of operations Subtract decimals ×, ÷ numbers with 2 d.p.by 1-digit nos Rounding to one d.p. Find simple percentages inc decimals Equivalent fractions, FDP, + & - Fractions of amounts,simplify fractions Multiply a fraction by an integer Convert fractions to decimals Substitute any numbers into simple formulae Derive more complex formulae Two-step linear equations Pattern sequences Plot coordinates in all four quadrants Find outputs of simple functions Collecting like terms, mixed linear terms Construct expressions from words Derive simple formulae Subst’ +ve integers into simple formulae Generate sequence, pos’n-to-term rule Use linear expressions to describe the nth term in a one-step linear sequence Plot linear functions in 1st quadrant Construct/solve simple linear equations Sharing in a given ratio Relationship of ratio and prop Ratio, prop (unitary method) Using direct prop in context Simplify ratio Use % to compare simple prop Link between ratio, fractions Perimeter/area of rectangular shapes Construct triangles Basic metric imperial equivalents Convert between metric units Solve simple geometrical problems showing reasoning Calculate angles in triangle, around a point. Solve angle problems using properties of triangles and quadrilaterals Enlargement using a scale factor Properties of 3D shapes from 2D diagrams Rotations, reflections and translations Area of triangles Sketch the net of 3D shape. Surface area/volume of a cuboid Draw and interpret conversion, line graphs Grouped data tables. Probability of equally likely outcomes Probability of not occurring is 1 – p Identify outcomes for two successive events with two outcomes in each event Mean, mode, range for a small data set, compare sets of data Extract data & interpret line graphs, compound and comparative bar charts Read, draw tally charts, tables, charts and line graphs, including grouped data Probability scale from 0 to 1 Find/justify probabilities in contexts Relative frequency and probability Interpret and construct bar/pie charts Mean from a simple frequency table   1 Can… Round to nearest 10, 100, 1000 Written methods for HTU ÷ U. Order +ve , -ve integers and decimals Order of operations. Find simple % of whole numbers Equivalence of FDP Compare simple fractions Convert improper fraction to mixed no Substitute integers into formulae Collecting linear terms Terms in a given position in a sequence. Recognise and extend number sequences Generate terms of a simple sequence using term-to-term rule. Solve simple problems using ideas of ratio and proportion (‘one for every…’ and ‘one in every…’) Coordinates in all four quadrants Perimeters of squares and rectangles. Sum of the angles on a straight line. Calculate the median of a set of data.  

Probability and statistics Maths Foundation Step Strand 1 Number (Equal weighting) Strand 2 Algebra Strand 3 Ratio and proportion Strand 4 Geometry and measure Strand 5 Probability and statistics 5 All of the below and… Error intervals due to truncation or rounding   Geometric progressions Find a missing quantity using a ratio Enlargements (fractional SF) Translations (as vectors) Congruency Calculate an estimate of the mean of a set of grouped data 4 X & ÷ fractions, including mixed nos Terminating decimals and their corresponding fractions Interpret limits of accuracy Percentage multipliers Expand and simplify double brackets Fibonacci type sequences Solving linear equations Similar figures Write ratios in the form 1:n Share in ratios with more than 2 people Enlargements Area of circles and composite shapes Transformations and properties Pythagoras’ Theorem (2D) Draw a line of best fit. 3 Multiply 2 digit decimals Cube roots, including brackets. x, ÷ negative numbers. Use a calculator for powers. Round to appropriate accuracy Order +ve and -ve nos, inc decimals Divide decimals by decimals + & - mixed number fractions × fractions, ÷ an integer by a fraction Express one number as a percentage of another Recurring or terminating decimals Equivalence of fractions, decimals, % Percentage increase or decrease. Order fractions Use n, n2, n3. Simplify by multiplying terms. Multiply a single term over a bracket. Factorise a single bracket. Substitute a +ve value into an expression. Construct and solve linear equations. Plot, recognise and name graphs of y = x and y = −x. Find the midpoint of a line segment. Generate four quadrant coordinate pairs of simple functions. Compare features of y = mx + c graphs In tables, compare changes in y with corresponding changes in x. nth term of linear sequence. Simplify ratios expressed in decimals. Divide in a given ratio, involving decimals. Recognise direct proportion from graph form. Identify and describe practical examples of direct proportion. Fractions in ratio problems. Construct an accurate parallelogram. Area of a parallelogram/trapezium. Volume of a cuboid. Convert between area measures. Use plan, front and side elevations. Draw 2D representation of 3D shapes Distance time-graphs. Non-linear graphs Quadrilateral properties. Corresponding, alternate and co-interior angles. Interior/exterior angles of polygons. Find angles using algebra. Angles in parallel lines, bearings Area and circumference Use 2-way tables. Use and apply the mode, median, mean appropriately. Construct and use a stem and leaf diagram to find median and mode. Interpret scatter graphs. Frequency tables/diagrams Averages from a table Scatter graphs  

Probability and statistics Maths Foundation Step Strand 1 Number (Equal weighting) Strand 2 Algebra Strand 3 Ratio and proportion Strand 4 Geometry and measure Strand 5 Probability and statistics 2 All of the below and… x, ÷ by 10 and 100 and 1000. Multiply HTU x TU Squares and roots < 100 +, - fractions, +ve and -ve integers Use inverse operations x & ÷ -ve integers by +ve integers +,-,x decimals, order decimals Round to 2 d.p. Prime factor decomposition HCF, LCM of numbers <100 Using percentages Express one number as a % of another Multiply a fraction by an integer Factor pairs Equivalent fractions Estimate calculations Convert fractions to decimals Construct expressions/formulas from words, using addition, subtraction and multiplication Substitute integers into simple formulae Use arithmetic operations with algebra Find outputs and inputs and use the inverse Construct and solve linear equations, with integer coefficients, of the form ax = b or x ± b = c Generate terms of a linear sequence using a position-to-term rule nth term in a one-step arithmetic sequence Plot graphs of simple linear functions in the first quadrant Use ratio notation Reduce a ratio to its simplest form Understand the relationship between ratio and proportion. Use proportional reasoning to solve problems Use percentages to compare simple proportions The links between ratio and fractional notation Ratio and recipes Best buy Simple proportion and in context Estimate angles, measure obtuse/reflex Angles at a point, in triangles & quadrilaterals, properties of triangles Line/rot’l symmetry of regular polygons Definition of congruence Volume of a cube and capacity problems Convert cm3 to litres Surface area of cuboids, area and perimeter, area of a triangle Vertically opposite angles Draw triangles (SAS,ASA) nets of 3D shapes Convert metric units Enlargement (scale factor), translation, reflection/rotation, (and combinations of) Properties of solids, of 3D shapes from 2D representations, plans and elevations Conversion and line graphs Symmetry Collect/record data from experiments Averages and range for a small set of discrete data Find the mode from any bar chart Mean from a frequency table Dual and compound bar charts Construct and interpret pie charts Probability scale Probabilities (equally likely outcomes) Charts, tables, graphs, including for grouped data Know that if the probability of an event is p, the probability of not occurring is 1 – p Estimate probabilities based on experimental data Frequency trees Vertical line charts 1 Can… ± whole numbers, (column) Multiples, factors and divisibility Find common factors and primes Temperature rise across 0°C Order +ve and -ve integers (positive decimals/use < and > notation) HTU × U and HTU ÷ U BIDMAS Simplify and compare basic fractions Equivalence of FDP Round numbers to 1, 10, 100 or 1000 % of whole number quantities Improper fraction to a mixed number Generate and describe simple integer sequences, square and triangle numbers and using a term-to-term rule Recognise and extend number sequences by counting Generate terms of a simple sequence using term-to-term rule   Solve simple problems using ideas of ratio and proportion (‘one for every…’ and ‘one in every…’) Area of a square/rectangle Coordinates in all four quadrants Basic real-life graphs Measure to the nearest millimetre Measure, draw and label angles Types of angles, angles on a straight line Basic reflection Parallel and perpendicular lines Perimeters of regular polygons Nets of cuboids and closed cubes, identify faces, edges, vertices, name 3D shapes Simple metric conversions Scales involving decimals Find 'most common' for discrete data. Median and range of a set of data Use the vocabulary of probability Pictograms Bar charts Multiply mentally TU × U Use doubling Recognise multiples up to 5 × 5 Rapid recall of mult’n facts to 10 × 10 Order fractions with common denominators. Find simple fractions of whole number quantities Know the names of regular polygons Interpret data in a simple table   Dependant on the Scheme of Learning your child is following, they may or may not complete all the content in each step.

Frequently Asked Questions Q. What is STEPS? A. STEPS is an assessment-recording and progress-monitoring system for all subjects studied at Key Stage 3. Q. What are STEPS grids? A. The STEPS grids break a subject down into Strands of content and nine progressive Steps. Students are placed on the STEPS grid following a baseline assessment. The expected progress is at least one-Step per year or three-Steps over the key stage. Q. What is a Strand? A. A Strand is an area of study of a subject. Every subject is divided into between three and seven Strands. Q. What is a Step? A. Every Strand is broken down into nine progressive Steps. Nine is the highest Step and one is the lowest. Steps provide the pathway through the Programme of Study for each Strand. Q. Why does my child appear to have made more progress in one subject than another? A. All subjects are different and so are children! It is quite understandable for one student to have a different rate of progress to another. Learning is a cycle of improvement. Students improve and then plateau before making further improvement – the timescale for this improvement is very individual and varies between subjects. It is quite normal for rapid progress to be made when children are exposed for the first time to specialist teaching, when perhaps teachers with expert knowledge were not available in primary school. Q. My child seems to have made no progress at all in one subject. A. There could be circumstances which would mean that within the last assessment cycle this was the case. It could be a completely new subject, or one that has been studied for only a portion of the year. We are anticipating three Steps of progress over the key stage and that one Step is merely the average of this expected progress each year. Remember also that in Science, progress has been built implicitly into the schemes of work. Therefore your child will be expected to stay on the same step or fluctuate above/ below this step as the content becomes more challenging throughout the year. Progress will be numerically represented by a variation score (progress score) from your child’s start point. If your child’s score is positive or remains at 0 throughout the year this represents expected progress or above expected progress; if they receive a minus progress score then this indicates that they will need more support to maintain their progress in the upcoming units.