1. Getting ready for the future: Preparing for the KS3 ICT onscreen test Sue Walton Project Director, KS3 ICT onscreen test development project Luton March 2006 Add name hereAdd date

3. Timeline 2004 – Technical Pilot 2005 – Pilot 2006 – National Pilot 2007 – Full National Pilot 2008 – Statutory Test

4. Being prepared The ICT test is the first onscreen assessment for most schools and represents a major cultural change In 2005: –many schools did not prepare or plan adequately –many schools did not use the support materials provided –schools who had the best experiences had generally planned and carried out team training –use of support materials and information provided could have prevented some of the difficulties faced by some schools

5. Getting started Accreditation process is designed to ensure schools are technically ready to run tests Process: –Express interest –Technical audit –Agree terms and conditions –Successfully install software

6. Planning and training Deciding who is to be involved Using the materials provided Timetabling training, familiarisation and practice Preparing pupils Scheduling test sessions Running test sessions

7. Software user roles Technical Manager Pupil Manager Test Manager Test Administrator

8. Technical Manager Installs and maintains the test software Sets up and manages users Prepares and configures DPS workstations Responsible for all technical aspects Likely to be the school Network Manager, ICT Technician or Managed Service Provider

9. Pupil Manager Imports and manages pupil details held on the system Sets up registration groups and teaching sets and inputs Initial Level Assessments (ILAs) May distribute test results Likely to be the Exams Officer or another non-teaching member of staff

10. Test Manager Organises and sets up tests including allocating pupils to tests and scheduling sessions Distributes results to teachers Likely to be the Exams Officer or another non-teaching member of staff

11. Test Administrator Controls and runs test sessions, including summative tests Likely to be a non-teaching member of staff or external person Schools need to plan in advance who will act as test administrators and how many people are needed to fulfil this role

12. Training materials Guides Posters Test demo Online tutorials Technical articles in the online knowledge base Online help within the software Case studies

13. Familiarisation and practice Test scheduling familiarisation for staff Pupil familiarisation session Practice test

14. Preparing pupils for the tests Schools need to ensure that: Pupils are taught the complete programme of study Pupils have access to the familiarisation and practice materials so that they are familiar with the Toolkit and test environment Pupils understand what they are expected to do in the test Pupils are given an ILA that reflects their true ICT level so that they are entered into the most appropriate tier

15. Scheduling test sessions 4-week window for the summative test Two sessions to be scheduled for each pupil Need to consider: –Number of pupils to take the test –Number of rooms available –Time needed for pupils to arrive, log on and log off –Staff availability –Contingency plans for e.g. pupil absence, network failure

16. Running test sessions Schools are provided with separate guidance as to how they should run summative tests Much of this guidance is similar to that provided for the statutory English, maths and science tests The guidance includes access arrangements for pupils with SEN Schools should ensure pupils and staff are aware of the protocol for running summative tests to ensure they are not unintentionally involved in malpractice

17. Support available to schools Customer services team Website Technical support team Becta support team

18. Customer services team Team dedicated to KS3 ICT test First point of call for schools Enquiries about the accreditation process, website passwords, test dates and other non-technical issues Contactable via: –Phone 0870 870 1025 option 1 –Email ks3tests@rm.com

19. Website www.ks3ictpilot.com General information about the test including technical requirements Used for accreditation Online copies of training materials Access to knowledge base of technical articles Ability to track and support calls online

20. Technical support team Team dedicated to KS3 ICT test Technical enquiries including installation, use of the test software and connectivity issues Contactable via: –Phone 0870 870 1025 option 2 –Also by logging support request via the test website

21. Becta support Advice and support for schools attempting technical accreditation –Below minimum spec –Failing tech audit Website www.becta.org.uk/schools/ks3support Helpline 0845 053 5534 Email ks3support@becta.org.uk

22. Countdown to 2008 10 Get started now 9 Check the school network now 8 Install the software 7 Prepare staff 6 Prepare pupils

23. Countdown to 2008 5 Take part in the 2006 pilot 4 Learn from the pilot and prepare for the next one 3 Take part in the 2007 pilot 2 Learn from the pilot and get ready for the statutory test 1 Run the 2008 test - successfully

24. Getting involved now – advice from pilot schools… ‘It’s better to make mistakes now, prior to when it’s statutory’ ‘It’s useful to get familiar with the infrastructure and logistics etc.in good time’ ‘It was a good experience to see how everything is organised. It is complicated but once you have some practice it is quite straightforward’

25. Contact details Further information www.ks3ictpilot.com School enquiries KS3 Tests Customer Services Team 01235 823630 Ks3tests@rm.com Other enquiries Ks3ict@qca.org.uk Becta support service 0845 053 553 Ks3support@becta.org.uk www.becta.org.uk/schools/ks3support