School Reports

Key Stage 3 Reports (Years 7 & 8)

School reports are issued four times a year, at the end of each teaching and learning cycle. They are sent via email and contain information about your child’s effort score in each subject, test scores, attendance, punctuality, house points and any behaviour points they have received. Teachers will write a comment if they are concerned about the progress your child is making in their subject.

To help you interpret the reports we host a ‘Meet the Tutor Evening’ and have guidance videos on our website, which explain the reports and suggest ways in which you can discuss them with your child.

In each subject, we give your child's most recent test score. Each test score is given a ‘band', representing 10% of test scores. Band 1 is the top 10% of test scores in the year group and band 10 is the lowest 10% of test scores in the year group. On the school reports, the band for each subject is represented by a dark blue block. The dark blue test score blocks in each subject are compared with the band representing your child's key stage 2 results from primary school.

We take the average of their Reading and Maths SATs scores and use this to show their attainment on entry to Torquay Academy. This is indicated by the yellow block and the medium-blue target pathway on the reports.

We can use the reports to compare which subjects are in line with your child's key stage 2 result, which ones are lower than might be expected, and in which subjects your child is exceeding expectations.

The bands in each subject show how the test score compares to all the others in the year group, and gives you a way to discuss which subjects they are doing well in, or less well in, when compared to their test scores when they entered the school.

In this example, the child's SATs scores were amongst the highest in the year group, as the key stage 2 result is towards the right. However their test scores in many subjects are lower than expected, as the dark blue blocks are to the left of the key stage 2 result. This student's effort in lessons has been identified as a concern.

In this other example, the child's SATs scores were lower than the average student's from primary school, but they are doing comparatively well in every subject, as all the dark blue blocks are further to the right than the key stage 2 result. This student is to be praised for their hard work and their effort in lessons.

We award effort grades in four areas:

• Behaviour and readiness to learn (in each subject)
• Mindset for learning (in each subject)
• Homework effort (awarded by tutors)
• Attendance effort (one whole school grade)

Students are given a score from 1 – 4 in each area. Details of the criteria are shown in the report. Grade 2 is the most commonly-awarded grade; grade 1 requires significant additional effort. Effort grades 1 and 2 means your child is on track, whereas effort grades 3 or 4 are a concern. If there are concerns, the teacher will write a comment on the report.

Effort

A student’s effort is a key indicator of their future success. At the end of each teaching and learning cycle, students are awarded an effort grade in each of the following categories:

• Attendance in this cycle
• Behaviour in each subject
• Mindset in each subject (willingness to keep going when learning is difficult)
• Homework (awarded by tutors)

Each grade is awarded on a scale from 1 to 4:

• 1 = outstanding
• 2 = good
• 3 = requires improvement
• 4 = unsatisfactory

The average effort grade from each subject is calculated and is then used to position students on the effort boards which are displayed in school. You will also receive their ranking in their report.

We classify effort using the university grading classifications of 'first class', 'upper second class', ‘lower second class’ or 'third class'. Every teaching and learning cycle is a fresh start in all four categories.

Key Stage 4 & 5 Reports (Years 9 - 13)

The purpose of the reports is to give you an overview of your child’s strengths and weaknesses in their different subjects, and to give you a broad overview of their school life.  This will enable you to discuss what's going well and to identify any issues that need resolving.

This example shows the report for four subjects, showing your child's target grades for each course.  There are different types of target grades - depending on whether they relate to GCSE, A-level or vocational subjects.  

GCSE grades range from grade 9, which is the highest, to grade 1.  A grade 7 is equivalent to a grade A in the old system and a grade 4 is equivalent to a grade C.  There are separate targets for English Language and English Literature.  Note that science is a double award subject, so the predicted grade is a double grade - 99 in this case.  Your child has three different science teachers, but one overall target for GCSE Science.  Vocational targets and grades are either Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction-star.

The main piece of information is the predicted grade for each subject, which tells you the grades that the teacher believes your child is most likely to achieve at the end of year 11.  

Effort grades are also given for each subject.  An effort grade of 3 or 4 represents a concern, whilst 1 or 2 represents a good approach to learning.  Mindset is an indication of a student's positive approach to a subject and willingness to keep going when faced with difficulties.    

Students receive one set of effort grades for English, because they have the same teacher for English language and English literature, but three different sets of effort grades for science because they have three different teachers.

This student has achieved effort grade 1 or 2 in every area so is working well and deserves praise for this.    If the predicted grade is below your child's target, the subject teacher will write comments to explain which learning has not yet been mastered and what actions your child should take to get back on track.  In this example, the science teachers have given a comment to help you understand what the child needs to do to improve. 

Students receive effort grades relating to their behaviour, mindset, attendance and homework.  Their average effort grade, and their position on the effort boards are shown.

This part of the report gives you further information about your child's approach to school - attendance, punctuality, house points, behaviour points and any detentions are given.  The late mark includes lateness to lessons during the day as well as lateness to school in the morning. Unauthorised absences include any absences for which a reason has not yet been given.

You can see more information by watching our four-minute video guide to the reports or by looking at our guide to the new GCSE grades.

Guide to new GCSE grades: