ASSESSMENT 

The purpose of assessment is to communicate progress with students, teachers and parents so that students have a clear sense of where they are in their learning journey and the next steps that they need to take.     

Years 7 to 9   

Each subject area at Bottisham Village College has developed Age Related Expectations (AREs) for their subject, detailing the threshold knowledge and skills for each year.
Students’ work will be assessed against these, with the teacher making a judgement using 4 terms: Emerging, Developing, Secure and Greater Depth.  

These overall judgements about students’ progress against AREs will be recorded at the end of each sequence of learning on Go4Schools, allowing staff, students and parents/carers to track student progress.  

Years 10 and 11  

Based on a range of assessment, including mock examinations, BVC teachers will publish an predicted grade for each student in their subject. This will suggest the grade the student is likely to achieve at GCSE, should they continue at their current level of working.  

How will students be assessed?  

As a college, we recognise that the most effective assessment takes place in the moment, with teachers in lessons identifying individual or class needs on a continual basis and then responding to them.  

We understand that student work looks different between subjects. However, we also recognise the need for there to be a clear way for learning to be communicated between stakeholders, including staff, students and parents/carers. This approach is based upon three core components, which we believe enable purposeful learning conversations between all stakeholders:   

  • A coherent Learning Journey  
  • High Quality Assessments that link to the Learning Journey  
  • High Quality Feedback that can be acted on and which moves the learning forwards   

In subjects where the use of exercise books is standard practice, the method for this communication is the Learning Journey Book. In subjects where exercise books are not normal practice (e.g. for practical reasons), other methods will be used by staff to communicate these core components to students and parents/carers.  Where appropriate assessments will be completed, receive feedback and be responded to in the Learning Journey Book.   

Wherever feedback is given to students, they will be given the opportunity to respond to the feedback and take their next steps along the Learning Journey.   

Access Arrangements 

Access arrangements are adaptations based on students’ needs to ensure students can sit their exams without being unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged. 

  

Please find a useful guidance document for parents and a link to a video that explains the new Access Arrangements Regulations in place from 1 September 2025. 

  

ATTITUDE TO LEARNING  

Bottisham Village College places great emphasis upon developing each student’s attitude to learning. We believe that great learning happens when students challenge themselves to work hard and aim high. We want students to be curious learners who fully engage in every learning opportunity. We expect all students to take responsibility for their own learning through actively participating in lessons, developing their resilience and persevering to overcome challenges. We encourage students to reflect on their specific strengths and areas for development, enabling them to maximise their learning potential.
When reporting on progress, teachers will also make a judgement on a student’s attitude to learning.  One of four possible judgements are made:  

  • Exceptional  
  • Good  
  • Inconsistent  
  • Unacceptable  

Students are recognised and rewarded for their positive attitude to learning in lessons. Any student who displays an attitude to learning that is either inconsistent or unacceptable will be supported and challenged to make the most of every learning opportunity.  

REPORTING  

Two times a year, a progress snapshot will be taken from Go4Schools detailing the following:  

  • How students are performing in each subject area, relating to the AREs and students’ progress against them; Years 7-9 Only  
  • How students are performing in each subject area, by publishing a predicted grade; Years 10 and 11 Only  
  • Attitude to learning score ; All years. 

Go4Schools  

Our main way of reporting is through our Go4Schools; this gives parents an up to date, live report.  

Go4Schools allows parents and carers to access key information about their children and how they are progressing with their learning and curriculum.  

Go4Schools allows parents to view this information easily on mobile devices and through larger-screened PCs or tablets.  You will be able to access the following information about your child or children:  

  • Assessments and current attainment.  
  • Homework. 
  • Timetabled Lessons. 
  • Behaviour – house points and negative behaviour points. 

Go4Schools can be accessed at www.go4schools.com 

 

Downloads

JCQ Guidance Access Arrangements

BVC Assessment Policy 2025 2026