At Desborough College, we believe that exceptional achievement is built through exceptional teaching, learning and assessment. Assessment plays a crucial role in helping us to understand what students know, remember and can do, and in identifying the next steps required to support them in making outstanding progress. Our approach begins in the classroom, where teachers use the Pioneer Pedagogy approach to share new knowledge and routinely check for understanding. These checks enable teachers to identify and address misconceptions and learning gaps at the earliest opportunity, creating the secure foundations students need to develop deeper understanding, make meaningful connections and think both creatively and critically. Teachers also build regular knowledge checks into sequences of learning, through activities such as retrieval starters, low-stakes quizzes and examination-style questions. In this way, assessment is an integral part of learning rather than something that happens simply at the end of a unit or course.
Assessment also provides students with valuable opportunities to understand how well they are learning and what they need to do next. High-quality feedback helps students to recognise their strengths, address areas for development and take greater ownership of their learning. We therefore use assessment purposefully to provide clear feedback and establish ambitious next steps for every student. The Education Endowment Foundation identifies feedback as having a significant positive impact on learning, with evidence indicating that effective feedback can contribute to substantial additional progress. Embedded within our schemes of learning are formal assessment cycles, which take place each term. Year 11 and Year 13 students undertake two series of mock examinations to support their preparation for their final external examinations. Following key assessment points, teachers use the evidence gathered to identify individual priorities and goals, which can be seen reflected in students’ books and classwork. Our assessment programme includes a carefully balanced combination of knowledge diagnostics and assessments of skills and understanding, enabling us to develop a rounded picture of each student's progress. Termly reports provide families with information about both academic and pastoral progress, supporting an ongoing dialogue about achievement, development and next steps.
Alongside our internal assessment programme, students undertake external examinations, which are conducted in accordance with the regulations established by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). We want every student to approach these examinations with confidence, preparation and a clear understanding of their responsibilities. Students sitting external examinations are therefore expected to read and understand the relevant examination policies and guidance carefully. Following these regulations is essential to ensuring that examinations are conducted fairly and that students are able to receive the grades they have worked hard to achieve.
Please click on this link to review the Information for Candidates section of the JCQ website.
Assessment also provides students with valuable opportunities to understand how well they are learning and what they need to do next. High-quality feedback helps students to recognise their strengths, address areas for development and take greater ownership of their learning. We therefore use assessment purposefully to provide clear feedback and establish ambitious next steps for every student. The Education Endowment Foundation identifies feedback as having a significant positive impact on learning, with evidence indicating that effective feedback can contribute to substantial additional progress. Embedded within our schemes of learning are formal assessment cycles, which take place each term. Year 11 and Year 13 students undertake two series of mock examinations to support their preparation for their final external examinations. Following key assessment points, teachers use the evidence gathered to identify individual priorities and goals, which can be seen reflected in students’ books and classwork. Our assessment programme includes a carefully balanced combination of knowledge diagnostics and assessments of skills and understanding, enabling us to develop a rounded picture of each student's progress. Termly reports provide families with information about both academic and pastoral progress, supporting an ongoing dialogue about achievement, development and next steps.
Alongside our internal assessment programme, students undertake external examinations, which are conducted in accordance with the regulations established by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). We want every student to approach these examinations with confidence, preparation and a clear understanding of their responsibilities. Students sitting external examinations are therefore expected to read and understand the relevant examination policies and guidance carefully. Following these regulations is essential to ensuring that examinations are conducted fairly and that students are able to receive the grades they have worked hard to achieve.
Please click on this link to review the Information for Candidates section of the JCQ website.
