Monitoring Students
At JCoSS we expect high standards of our students and have strong systems in place to ensure they all make the progress they are capable of. We do not test students before we offer places, but once here they are tested in a variety of ways in all subjects. Nationally-used CAT tests give a snapshot of their profile in verbal, numerical and problem-solving skills, and help give a quick picture of the year group as a whole. Then, once we have seen them in action in the classroom and got to know them a little, we set targets in each subject - something to aim for by the end of the year, and by the end of each Key Stage. Teachers will make sure that each student knows what their current level is, and what they need to do to make progress towards the target.
Each term, grades and levels are entered into the Assessment Database, so we can check that students are making the progress we think they should. Parents will be able to see all this information online, too, automatically updated each time there is new input. If a student's progress seems to be slipping, our form tutors or learning mentors will have a conversation with them to find out what may be behind it. We can work with them to help improve a particular area of learning - be it organisation and time management, or some particular aspect of a subject - and we can put additional support in place in the classroom. As always, we like to include parents in these discussions so that there is monitoring and encouragement at home as well as at school.
As well as this online report, parents are sent paper reports twice a year - one with full written comments, the other with levels and grades across all aspects of learning. Our aim is to keep parents informed as openly as possible so we can work together to ensure every student, whatever their level of attainment, makes the best progress they can as an individual.