assessment

Assessment plays a vital role in tracking your son’s progress and identifying areas where he may need extra support. Regular assessment helps us monitor your son’s learning and tailor our teaching to support his growth. How assessments are conducted depends on your son's year group:

  • Key Stage 3 (Years 8–10): All assessments are completed naturally in normal classroom settings during routinely timetabled lessons.

  • GCSE & A-Level (Years 11–14): Most assessments are also completed during normal classroom lessons. However, during specific assessment windows, students may sit formal mock examinations under full exam conditions in dedicated venues, where all official access arrangements are applied.

Before each progress report is issued, students complete a dedicated assessment activity, such as a test, project, or extended task. Teachers will always ensure students are fully aware of what is expected and how to prepare.

At the end of each half term, teachers review classroom assessment data to ensure your son remains on track to meet his individual target goals.

  • Assessment 1 (Halloween) – Year 12-14 – October

  • Assessment 2 (Christmas) – Year 8-14 – December

  • Assessment 3 (Easter) – Year 8-14 – March/April

  • Assessment 4 (Summer) – Year 8-11– June

How we Track your sons potential and academic growth

To help every pupil reach his full potential, we use standardised assessments from GL Assessment. These tests establish a personal baseline for your son, giving us a clear picture of how he learns, his current academic skills, and his potential growth over time.

Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4)

What it is: CAT4 measures a pupil's underlying ability and potential rather than what he has memorised in class. It looks at four distinct areas of reasoning: Verbal (words and language), Quantitative (numbers), Non-Verbal (shapes and patterns), and Spatial (visualising 3D shapes).

How we use it:We use CAT4 results to establish your son’s starting benchmark. It helps us understand his natural learning style, identify hidden talents or strengths, and set realistic, ambitious target grades for his time at the college.

Progress Test in English (PTE)

What it is: PTE measures a pupil’s technical English skills and reading attainment for his age group. It assesses key areas including reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

How we use it: It provides an accurate snapshot of your son’s English mastery. We compare his PTE score against national averages and his CAT4 verbal baseline to ensure he is making expected reading and writing progress and to identify if he needs extra support or extension work.

Progress Test in Maths (PTM)

What it is: PTM measures mathematical understanding and core curriculum knowledge tailored to your son's age. It assesses number skills, algebra, geometry, data handling, and mathematical problem-solving.

How we use it: PTM helps us track your son’s mathematical fluency year-on-year. By comparing his PTM results against his CAT4 quantitative score, we can highlight whether he is working to his full potential in Maths or if targeted classroom intervention is required.

How It All Fits Together

While CAT4 shows us what your son is capable of achieving (his baseline ability), PTE and PTM show us what he has learned (his subject attainment). Combining these insights allows teachers to tailor classroom learning, spot any underperformance early, and support your son in achieving his individual target goals.