** PANDEMIC UPDATE 2021 Under the current pandemic conditions with the cancellation of GCSE and other examinations we have amended our assessment and reporting procedures. The principles of our approach are as follows:
- Estimating or predicting GCSE grades is not possible as we do not yet know how these grades will be arrived at (Jan 2021)
- Our attitude to learning grades correlate strongly with good results - as we always say "those who work hard and work with us do well"
- Student engagement and motivation is very important at this time
- Teachers need to prioritise the identification of gaps in knowledge and assisting students in addressing them.
Assessment at Walton-le-Dale
We have been carefully considering the way in which we assess our students' progress and report to parents & carers. We have considered national best practice and looked to integrate it with the ethos of our school. In the documents below you will find the "Guide to Assessment for Parents and Carers" - please read and do not hesitate to contact us at school if you have any questions. The full Assessment policy is in the "Policies" section of the website for
Important information about GCSE grading
2018 saw the widespread introduction of the new 9-1 grading system for GCSEs across most of the subjects offered at Walton-le-Dale. There is information about the new grading system in the resources below and also at this Ofqual link.
Should parents or carers have any questions about the new qualifications, please do not hesitate to contact us at school.
Assessment and Examinations information
These will help parents and carers to understand the attitude to learning grades on school reports - this has been updated during the pandemic
This explains the principles of assessment and reporting to parents and carers - updated Oct 2018
This is information from the Association of School and College Leaders with questions that parents and carers may need answering about the new GCSEs
This updates the earlier GCSE Factsheet and considers the new GCSEs that are being examined for the first time this year
