Reporting and Assessment

In Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9), we provide regular updates on how your child is progressing in each subject. Their progress is measured against their starting point, based on their Key Stage 2 SATs scores, which help us to set realistic expectations for what they can achieve in their assessments.

For more practical subjects like Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music, and PE, we also include a Practical Skill Grade. This gives you an overview of how well your child is developing their practical abilities in these areas. An explanation of these grades and what they mean is included below to help you better understand your child’s progress.

During Key Stage 4, we report your child’s current progress based on their performance in end-of-cycle assessments using the GCSE grading system (9-1). You can track how well they are doing by comparing their current grades to their target grades. Target grades are based on Key Stage 2 SATs scores and represent the minimum grades they should aim to achieve, they are not a prediction of what they will achieve.

Vocational Courses at KS4
In addition to GCSEs, we offer a range of vocational courses. These are practical, work-related qualifications designed to provide students with skills and knowledge linked to specific careers or trades. At Guiseley School, we offer two types of vocational qualifications at this level:

• OCR National Certificate Level 2
• WJEC Level 2

These courses are ideal for students who prefer hands-on learning and applied education. Vocational grades are equivalent to GCSE grades, making them just as valuable for future opportunities.

Grades for vocational courses are equivalent to GCSE grades as shown below:

In Key Stage 5, we also report student progress based on end-of-cycle assessments. Grades will depend on the type of qualification your child is taking. Along with current grades, we provide a projected grade, which indicates what your child is likely to achieve if they continue their current level of effort and performance up to their final exams in Year 13.

 Vocational Courses at KS5
For students interested in applied learning, we offer several practical courses alongside A-Levels. These include:

• OCR Technical Level 3
• WJEC Level 3 (Criminology)

These qualifications allow students to develop skills and knowledge through real-world contexts, preparing them for further education or career paths. Vocational grades at this level are equivalent to A-Level grades and are highly valued by universities and employers alike.