Page 8 - Seaford GCSE Options 2024

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How do we set the Challenge Grades?
The Challenge Grades have been assigned on the basis of nationally
benchmarked data from a series of baseline assessments undertaken by
significant numbers of students in the UK. Two main assessments are used:
one from GL Assessments, underpinned by models developed from the
National Foundation for Educational Research, and the other from Durham
Universities CEM Centre, the Middle Year Information System (MidYIS) and the
A Level Information System (ALIS) in the Sixth Form. Predictions about future
performance are made on the basis of how similar students have performed in
the past. Of course, nationally, students of the same ability will achieve different
outcomes dependent on a range of other factors, including the student’s school
attendance, their home situation and – most importantly – the determination
and effort of each individual.
Alongside such benchmarking criteria, Heads of Department and subject
teachers have an input in setting an ambitious but achievable Challenge Grade
based on each student’s engagement with their learning and progress made.
Generally, Challenge Grades at Seaford are set above the benchmarked national
expectations; they are intended to be motivating, ambitious and challenging
– ultimately giving every student the best opportunity to secure academic
personal bests. However, the Challenge Grade is not a prediction because of the
variables mentioned above.
Challenge Grades in Year 10 & 11
By Year 10, we are able to utilise both CAT and MidYIS profiling data to provide a
more accurate assessment of likely GCSE success by subject. We are also able to
incorporate into this our understanding of each student, their progress to date,
Year 9 summer internal assessment results, how settled they are within the
school, as well as any further relevant information. This allows for an appropriate
Challenge Grade to be issued for each GCSE subject in September of Year 10.
Over the course of the year, ongoing classroom assessment and tracking of
termly reports feeds into a more formal assessment of each student’s Challenge
Grades in May, immediately after their Year 10 internal assessments.
Ordinarily, Year 11 mock examinations are sat in January and, immediately
following this, results are published just prior to the Year 11 parents’ evening. We
analyse mock examination results against Challenge Grades, and undertake a
formal review again at this time.
From this point onwards, we would not expect the Challenge Grade to change
further running into the examinations.
Mr Ash Arya
Deputy Head