Assessment

At Shevington High School, assessment is about more than just grades; it is a tool to help us understand learning and ensure pupils make continuous progress. We use a balanced approach that combines regular, low-stakes assessment with more formal assessment to get a complete picture of their development.

Teachers regularly check what pupils know. Ofsted, May 2026

How We Check Learning

 We use two main types of assessment to support our students:

Low-Stakes Assessments: These are frequent, informal checks embedded in everyday lessons. They help teachers spot misconceptions early and provide immediate feedback without the pressure of a final grade. 

High Stakes Assessment: To check how well students are retaining knowledge over time and inform our next steps, we conduct formal, "Learning Reviews" under exam-style conditions twice a year for Key Stage 3; as students move into their GCSE years (Key Stage 4), these high-stakes assessments also include Mock Exams to fully prepare them for their final qualifications.

The Power of Feedback: DIRT

We believe feedback is only useful if students act on it. After assessments, we use DIRT (Directed Independent Reflection Time). During these sessions, students:

• Review their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Complete targeted tasks to close gaps in their understanding.
• Refine and improve their work to master difficult topics.