Assessment at Melbourn Village College

Our Approach to Assessment

At Melbourn Village College, assessment is at the heart of how we help every student to learn, grow and succeed. We see it not as a one-off event, but as an ongoing process that helps teachers, students and parents understand each child’s progress, strengths and next steps. By using this process thoughtfully, we can make sure that every pupil receives the right support and challenge to thrive in their learning.

Our approach reflects our core values of kindness, curiosity and resilience. We encourage students to be curious about their own progress, to ask questions and take an active role in improving their work. We build resilience by helping them understand that feedback and challenge are part of learning, not a sign of failure. And we show kindness by ensuring that every student, whatever their starting point, has the opportunity to achieve and feel proud of their progress.

Throughout the year, students take part in regular, planned activities that allow teachers to monitor learning, adapt lessons and provide feedback. This includes classroom-based feedback, short knowledge tests and more structured Measured Formative Tasks (MFTs). All of this information is recorded and shared through Go4Schools, so parents can see an up-to-date picture of how their child is doing.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, our focus is on building strong foundations for future learning. We want students to develop confidence in their understanding, deepen their thinking in each subject, and begin to approach learning like young historians, scientists, linguists or artists.

We believe that a knowledge-rich curriculum empowers students to build deep, lasting understanding across subjects. This emphasis on core content underpins how we assess and support learning throughout the year. Across each term, students take part in knowledge checks to revisit key content, as well as more in-depth Measured Formative Tasks (MFTs) that give them the chance to apply what they have learned in a larger piece of work. Teachers use this information to adapt lessons, plan support and celebrate progress, with updates shared through Go4Schools.

Each subject has its own skills matrix that sets out the key concepts of the subject and shows how students are developing their understanding as they move through the curriculum during the year. Students are reviewed against four stages – Emerging, Developing, Securing and Mastering – which describe the extent to which they are demonstrating those concepts in their work. These stages are based on the curriculum for that year, rather than across the whole key stage, so that feedback and next steps are always linked directly to what is being studied in class.

This approach allows us to see every student’s learning journey clearly, while keeping the focus on growth and improvement rather than grades or comparisons.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, our approach builds on the habits and understanding developed in Key Stage 3, helping students prepare for success in their GCSE courses. We continue to place high value on a curriculum rich in knowledge, ensuring that students not only grasp key concepts but also understand how these ideas connect and deepen over time. Each subject continues to use a skills matrix that sets out the key concepts and expectations for that course. These matrices are directly linked to GCSE specifications and mark schemes, so that students and parents can see clearly what strong progress looks like in each subject.

Students are reviewed against the same four stages – Emerging, Developing, Securing and Mastering – which in Key Stage 4 explicitly link to the GCSE specification assessment objectives and indicate how confidently the students are working within different aspects of the course. This language helps students understand their strengths and next steps in specific areas of each subject, while their mock examinations provide a broader view of overall performance.

Throughout Year 10 and Year 11, students complete a mix of shorter knowledge checks, extended Measured Formative Tasks (MFTs) and formal mock examinations. Mocks are marked using GCSE criteria and expressed as grades, giving students a clear indication of their current working level. Teachers use this alongside information from MFTs and knowledge checks to build a rounded picture of progress – identifying where students are secure and where further development is needed.

These results are shared with parents through Go4Schools and termly reports, ensuring that everyone has a clear understanding of each student’s progress and the steps being taken to help them succeed in their final GCSEs.

Supporting Your Child’s Learning

We know that learning is most powerful when school and home work together. Parents can support their child by checking Go4Schools regularly, discussing feedback and progress, and encouraging preparation for upcoming knowledge checks, Measured Formative Tasks and mock exams. These conversations help students reflect on what they are doing well and where they can focus their efforts next.

You can view the assessment calendar below to see when key activities take place across the year, and download each subject’s matrix to understand what is being taught and how progress is measured. Together, these tools provide a clear picture of your child’s learning journey and how you can help them continue to thrive.

Year Group Assessments

Year Group	Assessments
Year 7	CATs – opening weeks of terms, timetabled into Computer Science lessons Bedrock Reading Test – Week beginning 13th October Students sit regular Measured Formative Assessments – information on these can be found on the subject pages
Year 8	Bedrock Reading Test – Week beginning 13th October Students sit regular Measured Formative Assessments – information on these can be found on the subject pages
Year 9	Bedrock Reading Test – Week beginning 13th October Students sit regular Measured Formative Assessments – information on these can be found on the subject pages
Year 10	Bedrock Reading Test – Week beginning 13th October English and Maths Practice mocks – 27th-28th April Mocks (all subjects) – 17th – 3rd July
Year 11	Bedrock Reading Test – Week beginning 13th October CATs – Week beginning 13th October English Walking Talking Mock - 25th September Maths Walking Talking Mock – 7th October (H), 14th October (F) Core Mocks (English, Maths, Science) – 4th-6th November GCSE Geography Field Trip – 27th November MFL Speaking Mocks – 1st5th December Art Mock 8th-10th December Mocks (all subjects) – 26th Jan- 6th February GCSE Food Tech Practical Exams – Wb 9th February GCSE D&T Practical Exams – Wb 23rd February GCSE Exams begin – Wb 4th May

 

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