Assessment is the evaluation of responses, both verbal and written. At St Mary's School, the main aim of assessment is to contribute to the process, which helps all students to become better learners and more confident students. Assessment should be encouraging, evaluative, diagnostic, informative and motivating for the student, her teachers and her parents.
St Mary's School believes that assessment should be flexible and that each teacher should be free to choose appropriate methods to develop and assess the knowledge and skills specific to the subject studied. The processes of assessment, both formal and informal, are inherent in the many and varied functions of the school.
Purposes of Assessment
Assessment has different aspects, which can broadly be defined as diagnostic and summative. It provides information for students on their progress and attainment in particular skills both in individual terms and in relation to the peer group in the school and ultimately national criteria. Teachers use it to judge their effectiveness in achieving aims and objectives. Assessment gives a framework to evaluate achievement. Needs of students can also be identified and met. Students' progress and development can be monitored. Motivation for both teachers and students is given to strengthen and improve performance.
Methods of Assessment
A range of methods is used at St Mary's School. This is governed by the different skills required within subjects. Methods include:
- Formal teacher-marked assignments with grades and comments
- Informal daily activities such as participation in class
- Formal examinations are held annually for years 7-13
- Tests
- Practical, oral and aural assessments
- Coursework for specific disciplines
- Homework, assessed formally or informally, is set for all years with a homework timetable to ensure an even workload
Marking Students' Work
Within departments an agreed, common system of marking will operate.
Students will receive an indication of their achievement and progress. The feedback given to students by this process will enable them to understand where they have performed well, which aspects of their work need improvement and how they could best attempt this improvement.
Recording of Assessment
Work is marked in accordance with scales regarded as appropriate by the teacher to the level to task and student. Assessment is recorded:
- on student's own work
- in teachers' markbooks
- in each form's electronic examination mark book where appropriate (eg. annual examination marks)
- on reports
- on designated mark sheets for examination boards, eg. forecast grades and coursework marks
Reporting of Assessment
Staff monitor and discuss students' progress and liaise where necessary; they write reports for parents and contribute to other reports such as UCAS.
Students receive verbal and written feedback on all aspects of their work from subject staff and counselling from form tutors, if necessary.
Parents receive reports twice a year for students in Years 7 - 10 and annually for those in Years 11 - 13. All parents are invited to a formal parents' evening annually.