KS4 Support

This term we will be focussing on KS4 coursework. Apart from being an issue identified within this authority, it has also been highlighted as a problem by the National Strategy and by exam boards. It has become apparent that many of the unexpedidly low grades in recent years has often been due to issues with coursework. Problems have arisen throughout the whole coursework approach including setting and monitoring. We have seen several examples of incorrectly assessed or moderated coursework which has resulted in pupils being awarded grades that were below expectations.

Over the next two weeks we will be arranging meetings with each subject leader to ask the following questions...

Are you on track for all coursework for each pupil to be completed on time?
What are you doing about pupils who have not completed all coursework?
Have you identified borderline pupils (eg borderline C/D grades) and what is being done to help them raise their grades?
What is being done to ensure marking is consistent across the department?
How have you addressed the comments in last year's examiners' feedback? (It would be useful to have this document at the meeting.)

We are suggesting that during the meeting we will view some examples of recently completed Year 11 coursework (including an expected A and C grade student) so that we can ensure that marking is in accordance with the criteria set out by the examination board and is consistent across the borough. We hope this will be an opportunity to identify any obvious issues and to be able to extract good practice that can be shared with other departments across the borough before coursework is submitted.

This is particularly important if there were issues last year, including mass re-moderation and subsequent reduction of marks by the examination board, or if you are undertaking a course which is new to the school. It is also important for schools who received good grades in recent years so that we can see continued success and that good practice can be shared with others.