Assessment Policy
Aims:
(a) Assessment should help pupils to develop fully their academic abilities and self-confidence, to develop skills which they need for reflective and independent study and to establish shared understanding by pupils and teachers of clear and explicit study goals.
(b) Assessment, both formal and informal, should complement and reinforce the delivery of the curriculum. It should enable the learning needs of individual pupils to be identified and allow future teaching strategies to be determined.
(c) Assessment should recognise individual progress and achievement and provide pupils with meaningful information which will allow them to participate in self-evaluation.
(d) Assessment should involve a range of techniques both formal and informal - carried out in a variety of contexts which will allow individual pupils to show what they know, understand and can do.
(e) Assessment and reporting are an integral part of the link between the school and parents and should provide parents with meaningful information.
Methods and range of assessment:
(a) The wide variety of assessment methods used in school include formal assessment by examination (public and internal), through coursework, homework, practical work, oral work and class tests.
(b) Teachers are involved in the continuous assessment of pupils’ work during class activities, monitoring not only academic attainment but other skills such as co-operation and teamwork. These skills are also assessed in an informal way through the programme of extra-curricular activities.
(c) Through assessment, pupils become aware of what they are learning and applying, and of their progress in a subject. They must, therefore, understand how their work is marked. This will enable pupils to focus their efforts on important aspects of the subject and to take on more responsibility for their own work and progress.
(d) Departments should aim to involve pupils in the assessment process, wherever possible. Pupils who are encouraged to assess their own effort and performance are apt to be more highly motivated and to develop more confidently the skills needed for effective independent study.
Responsibilities:
(a) The Examinations Officer has responsibility for all aspects of public examinations.
(b) The Vice Principal (curriculum) has responsibility for the timetable and invigilation of all internal examinations.
(c) Heads of Department are responsible for:
· Liasing with the Examinations Officer concerning entries for all external examinations and the processing of coursework samples.
· The organisation of the internal formal assessment of their subject regarding the setting and marking of examinations and the monitoring of agreed departmental assessments for report cards.
· Agreeing with their departments the advice and information which is to be given to pupils to enable them to prepare for all internal and external assessments.
· Monitoring and evaluating agreed schemes of work and teaching strategies in the light of assessment outcomes and information from DENI and CCEA.
· Organising departmental record keeping.
(d) Individual Subject Teachers are responsible for:
· Following agreed school and departmental guidelines on assessment.
· Marking and commenting on all assessment tasks in a positive, accurate, meaningful and diagnostic manner - returning assessment tasks to pupils in an appropriate period of time.
· Identifying the particular needs of individual pupils and developing learning plans accordingly.
· Recording attainment.
REPORTING
Reporting will be based on assessment of individual pupil performance.
(i) A formal report on pupils will be issued to parents twice per year, normally in January and June. It will be based on the pupil’s performance in internal examinations. Pupils sitting Public examinations in June will not receive a report at that time.
(ii) Progress Report Cards (Forms IV - MVI): at regular intervals throughout the year, subject teachers will report to parents on each pupil’s attainment and effort, as identified through a variety of assessment procedures.
(iii) The school holds consultation sessions when parents are invited to discuss their child’s performance and achievements with individual subject teachers.
(iv) Parents may contact the school at any time to see the Form Teacher or a Head of Department concerning a pupil’s progress.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
(i) The Form Teacher has the primary responsibility for monitoring the overall progress of a pupil throughout the year and will liaise closely with pupils, parents, subject teachers and senior members of staff.
(ii) Heads of Department will monitor the progress of pupils in their subject and will liaise with pupils, parents, members of staff in the Department and Form Teachers. They will seek to offer subject-specific support.
(iii) When an unsatisfactory level of progress is indicated on a School Report, parents may be invited to attend an interview in school with the Headmaster, the Form Teacher or a senior member of staff.
School News
OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION
9th May 2008
Annual Dinner - Ramada Hotel, Belfast
REUNION OF GIRLS’ HOCKEY & TENNIS CUP WINNING TEAMS 1956-1961
26th Apr 2008
To be held on Saturday 26th April 2008