11 Plus Exams Forum

Hello, I'm a bit confused with the grading system at ds1's school (JHGS) the highest you can get is a stage 3 and the lowest is stage 1. He is in year 7.

But what does stage 3 equal to...is it A or A*?

It's not an official grading system so it needs to be explained to parents.

Contact the school and ask for clarification.

ok thanks guest55, school was so different in my time- I feel ancient!

Why don't they just stick to the levels that we all understand?
Oh that's right, the government thinks we are stupid and don't understand them, just as we had all got our heads around them! They think it's far better to have schools decide their own grading system which in most cases doesn't seem to be linked to anything else.
Anything from weak to secure or 1 - 10 will do but be careful because another school might use 10 - 1 and we all know how good schools are at communicating these things to parents. There's only one thing stupid here and it's not the parents!
Sorry... rant over... 3 children, 3 different schools, 1 type of grading seems so much more sensible.

http://www.jhgs.bucks.sch.uk/97/assessment-criteria" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Found this on the school website ... does it help?

Both rgs and jh point out that their report stages do not equate directly to any gcse predictions, just give you an idea, particularly in lower years. I agree whole heartedly.
They have stage 1/2/3 at jh in year 7 the report bumf clearly tells you (along with lots more detail) that it's the equivalent of ok, good and super, come year 8 they introduce the dreaded 0 I believe!
The effort levels in year 7 are the important ones A/B/C/D anything in c/d means a bit more enthusiasm is required.

More than a few stage 3, he is doing amazingly, more than a few A then he needs a big slab of marvellous creations. 2s and bs, you should be a very happy mummy, 2s and cs then he needs a little chat!

The parent/pupil/form teacher consultation a few weeks back should have given you more explanation of how he is doing and if he has any targets.

The commendation points and dreaded bad boy points, are also listed on the report, I like the way it runs every half term for the year, you can so easily see their progress across the weeks, or dips in enthusiasm (anyone got tips on making German fun for a child who loves Spanish and French!).
Like any report some teachers are a bit more explanatory than others, they do seem to keep the boys involved well though, my son was struggling to get a stage two in history, but his teacher helped him as he could see he was enthusiastic just a bit too imaginative and opinionated for a historian.

Funny though, within one term he decided not to waste his enthusiasm on music, drama,epq or rs, which tbh although I said the right words to him, I am fine about.

Thanks g55, I felt quite guilty about you pulling that out for me, it was very nice of you and very lazy of me.

Thanks SB3, I am looking forward to collecting ds1 and starting our festive fun!

it's fine - I was intrigued ...