Formal examinations are held annually in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13. Years 7 - 9 are assessed continuously, with Key Stage 3 Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) in Year 9. More formal assessments are being introduced in these years to give pupils more examination practice. Consideration is also given to the child's degree of effort, potential, the work during the year and attitude to work.
Assessment in class and examinations in subjects are used to ensure that children are correctly placed in sets, to identify under-achievers and to set targets for improvement. In Mathematics, Science and English the pupils are more frequently assessed, and, if necessary, moved to groups more appropriate to their development in the subjects. There is a continuous assessment scheme for years 7-9 and parents are informed of pupil progress.
In Years 10 and 11 the assessments are used to indicate progress, and they form part of G.C.S.E. assessment.
Proposed candidates for the W.J.E.C. public examinations (mainly from Years 11 and 13) will sit special Mock Examinations - in December for GCSE and in January for Advanced Level.