LEARNING CYCLE ASSESSMENTS

Assessment Information

Each Key Stage is divided into learning cycles (LC).  At an appropriate point in the learning cycle is an assessment window in which assessments take place. Results will be reported to pupils & parents via our SIMS Parent App. 

Please find below the key assessment dates for each year group.  Although every effort will be made to keep these dates the same, we may need to slightly amend the dates in the event of unforeseen circumstances.  We will inform all stakeholders in good time if a change of date is necessary for any learning cycle assessment window and report. 

Key Stage 3 (Year 7, 8 & 9)

Pupils will receive six assessments in Key Stage 3 – two per year.  Each assessment will examine new and old content and will be class-based assessments, except LC6 for Year 9 which will be formal examinations. 

Reports to parents will highlight attainment, attainment in relation to peers and learning behaviour for each subject. 

Key Stage 4 (Year 10 & 11)

GCSE pupils will receive four internal assessments which will culminate in public examinations at the end of Year 11. 

LC1 in Year 10 will be class-based assessments.  LC2 will be Year 10 internal examinations.  For Year 11, LC4 will be mock examinations and LC5 subject examinations.

Key Stage 5 (Year 12 & 13)

A Level & Vocational students will receive four internal assessments which will culminate with the public examinations at the end of Year 13.  Please note that some vocational/Btec Level 3 qualifications will have external examinations in different parts of the course. 

LC1 in Year 12 will be class-based assessments.  LC2 will be Year 12 internal examinations.  LC3 in Year 13 will be mock exams and LC4 class-based assessments.

Parents’ Evening

All parents’ evenings are virtual at Bishop Walsh, with the exception of Year 9.  This will be a live event as it will also include a presentation regarding GCSE options for Key Stage 4.

Please make a note of the date for your child’s parents’ evening below.  Further information will be provided to each year group closer to the event:

SIMS Parent App – easy access to important school information 

We have a convenient way to share information with you about your child’s school life - SIMS Parent App!

You can access the system from a smartphone, tablet or PC – anytime, anywhere. 

What will you find in the SIMS Parent App:

  • Important information such as attendance, behaviour, achievement and home learning (please note that the school planner is still the primary source for recording home learning, especially the details)

  • Your child’s school report

  • Your contact details which you can amend if they change.  

  • Information about all your children at Bishop Walsh on the same app. 

The information that you receive through the app will help you to stay up-to-date with your child’s school life as well as support your child’s development and progress. 

Getting started with the SIMS Parent App

1.    We will send you an activation email; simply click on the link from your tablet, PC or smartphone to activate your account (please check Spam mail)

2.    You can then login using your normal Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft username and password. 

3.    From your smartphone or tablet, download the app from the Google Play or Apple App store - search for SIMS Parent.  

4.    From a PC or Windows phone, login online at www.sims-parent.co.uk  

Achievement and behaviour points

Teachers will be rewarding pupils with achievement points and logging behaviour incidents via our SIMS database. These points will be visible to parents via the SIMs app and will be pushed daily to your device. Please use these points to praise your son/daughter when they receive achievement points and also to have constructive discussions about areas for development in their learning behaviour if they receive behaviour points.  Please do not contact the school regarding behaviour points; if teachers feel that behaviour in lessons requires a conversation they will contact you directly. Please be assured that if poor behaviour is persistent, the school will contact you. 

Should your child receive an after school detention, you will receive a text notification.  It is vital that we hold accurate personal information, so please ensure that you update your mobile number if it changes.  The SIMS Parent App allows you to update personal information without needing to contact the school. 

Attendance Record

Parents/guardians should be aware that attendance figures will be pushed weekly to your device. If your child is absent for a session (regardless of the reason) you will notice an X on the app. Please be assured that our internal records will show the reason for absence for your son/daughter e.g. M for a medical appointment.