Assessment at Key Stage 3

KS3 Assessment Windows

Students in Key Stage 3 will be assessed in designated Assessment Windows twice per year.

For the 2025/2026 academic year, the assessment windows are:

Year 7 Assessment Windows

Baselines – 1^st September – 24^th October

Assessment Window 1 – 2^nd February – 6^th March

Assessment Window 2 – 5^th May – 5^th June

Year 8 Assessment Windows

Assessment Window 1 – 20^th October – 21^st November

Assessment Window 2 – 9^th March – 17^th April 

Year 9 Assessment Windows

Assessment Window 1 – 17^th November – 12^th December

Assessment Window 2 – 11^th May – 12^th June

These assessments are designed to assess students’ cumulative knowledge, skill and vocabulary over Key Stage 3, thus preparing our students for long-term learning during Year 7, 8 and 9, and beyond.

Data and reporting

Following each assessment window, assessment percentages, the average cohort percentage (the average percentage achieved by all students who sat the same assessment) and progress scores will be reported to parents and carers.

How is progress measured at KS3?

When students start Walton in Year 7, they will undertake baseline assessments in most subjects. Using this data, as well as scaled SATS scores in some cases, the cohort will be ranked in each subject. This will be referred to as a student’s start point position. A student’s start point position in the rank will not be shared with students or with parents.

After each assessment window, the cohort will be ranked again using cumulative and aggregated assessment data. Their position in the new rank will be compared to their start point rank position (from the baseline assessments in Year 7) to assign one of four progress grades for each subject, which will be reported to parents and carers through our supporting system:

• Above expected progress – when a student’s new rank position is above their start point rank position.
• Making expected progress – when a student’s new rank position is maintained compared to their start point rank position.
• Working towards expected progress – when a student’s new rank position is slightly below their start point rank position.
• Below expected progress – when a student’s new rank position is significantly below their start point rank position.