At Outwood Grange Academy Post 16 Centre all students are tracked throughout their 2 year course, through regular assessments - both formative and summative - and through the release of Praising Stars - each half term.
Whilst subjects will assess students differently depending on their long term plans, there are a number of similarities that exist across our Post-16 provision. We would typically expect students to undertake some form of assessment termly (this may be half termly in some subjects). The content of these assessments depends upon the quantity covered up to that point in the year. Details of specific assessments will be shared via subject teachers. All of these assessments will generate internal data which staff will use to inform their Praising Stars data entry and ensure appropriate interventions are implemented where appropriate.
Students who have studied with us previously will be familiar with the Praising Stars report. This is issued to students each half term and includes both an effort grade and a predicted grade for each subject the student is undertaking. The predicted grade allows the student and parents/carers to assess progress against student targets, with targets being based on prior attainment at GCSE. The target grade reflects the level the student should be achieving upon completion of their programme of study.
As a Post-16 centre, and in direct liaison with our heads of department and subject leads, we plan for more formal assessment of students in the Autumn and Spring terms - mirroring typical exam seasons.
At the end of Y12, students take end of year examinations in the Summer term. The dates of these will be shared with students appropriately ahead of time and will take place in the Sports hall, much like their final exams. These end of Y12 exams are an important indicator of student preparedness to progress into the second year of their study programme. Should a student fail to achieve a pass, or a grade higher than an E, in one or more of their subjects, they will be invited to resit the examination with a view to achieving a grade above an E. Prior to this, the students will have a meeting with Miss Griffiths, director of Post 16 and subject staff, to ensure appropriate interventions are in place to allow the student to succeed.
For Y13 students, they will sit their end of course formal examinations in the summer term of the second year of their studies. These are exam board set and externally marked assessments with a formal grade being awarded and issued during August on Results Day.
Examination access arrangements awarded to students will always be recognised and taken into account, whether it is a formal assessment or a praising stars assessment.