Year 9 Assessment Information
Spring Assessment Period February 2015
The results of these assessments will be used to inform your teacher of your progress so far. These
will also be used to help your teacher to predict a grade for the end of Year 9. This grade will also
contribute to your second progress check.
English (Coleridge)
WHEN?
Writing Assessment (Romeo and Juliet)
Your assessment piece will be written during lessons in the week beginning 9th February
2015.
You will get your feedback and work on your targets during the week of 2nd March 2015.
WHAT?
You will have read and explored ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare and analysed
key scenes from the play. For this assessment, you will be required to write an essay
answering a question based on an extract. This assessment gives students the
opportunity to convey their interpretation of the scene and extend their reading skills
from Year 8 in a sophisticated and developed way.
You will receive specific feedback on the following National Curriculum Reading
assessment focuses (AFs). English students can be awarded Level 3 through to Level 8.
AF3 – Organise and present whole texts effectively
AF4 – Make paragraphs and sentences fit together and flow
AF5 – Vary sentences for clarity, purpose and effect
AF6 – Write with technical accuracy
AF7 - Relate texts to their social, cultural and historical traditions
HOW?
You will complete your assessment in class, over a double lesson.
You can prepare by rereading your targets from your ‘Conflict Poetry’ assessment and
ensuring that you know how to improve on these.
The BBC Bitesize website provides activities and notes to help with your understanding of
the play:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/dramaromeojuliet/
You could also watch a version of the play to ensure that you have a clear understanding
of the plot and characters. Try interpretations such as Baz Lurhmann’s 1996 film or
Zeffirelli's 1968 version. These can be rented from local libraries or you can find clips from
each on you tube.
English (Parkside)
Writing Assessment (Travel Writing)
Your assessment piece will be written during lessons in the week beginning 9th February 2015.
You will get your feedback and work on your targets during the week of 2nd March 2015.
You will have read ‘Three Cups of Tea’ by Greg Mortenson and extracts from Bill Bryson’s travel
writing. For this assessment, you will be required to create your own piece of travel writing, using
the techniques studied in lessons, in response to a video stimulus. This assessment gives students
the opportunity to extend their writing skills from Year 7 and 8 in a sophisticated and developed way.
You will receive specific feedback on the following National Curriculum Writing assessment focuses
(AFs). English students can be awarded Level 3 through to Level 8.
AF3 – Organise and present whole texts effectively
AF4 – Make paragraphs and sentences fit together and flow
AF5 – Vary sentences for clarity, purpose and effect
AF6 – Write with technical accuracy
You will complete your assessment in class, over a double lesson.
You can prepare by rereading your targets from your ‘Horror Story’ assessment and ensuring that
you know how to improve on these.
The BBC Bitesize website provides activities to help improve your writing:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/english/writing/
It is also important to read a range of travel writing. The more you read, the more you will
understand the style of writing you should use. Try writers such as Michael Palin and Kira Salak. The
travel section in newspapers such as The Guardian, The Times and The Independent can also provide
useful examples, in addition to publications such as National Geographic.
Maths
WHEN?
WHAT?
HOW?
Week beginning 2nd February 2015. Exact timings will be given to you in class by your
teacher.
This paper covers all topics taught in key stage 3. Your teacher will tell you whether you
are sitting the paper with levels 3-5, levels 4-6, levels 5-7 or levels 6-8 questions on it.
When you have your revision sheet, note down the levels you need to focus on and revise
the topics within. If unsure, ask your teacher for help. A copy of the revision sheet ad a
“how to revise” guide is available on Edmodo.
You will sit 1 paper lasting 1 hour during your maths lesson. The test will cover either
levels 3-5, levels 4-6, levels 5-7 or levels 6-8, and your teacher will have chosen the most
appropriate test for you to demonstrate the most progress in. If unsure which tier you are
going to sit, check with your teacher as this will inform your revision. If you require extra
time or a reader, your teacher will have ensured these needs are met.
If you want some support revising, you can attend Homework and Revision Club on
Thursday lunchtimes in room 30 and Friday after school in room 31.
WHAT
DO I
NEED
TO
BRING?
WHY?
We do not have a set text book for year 9.
If further books are desired, we recommend using CGP revision guides as we don’t have a
set textbook. They are levelled books, so it would be best to choose the book based on
your child’s target and then refer to the topics above (here is a link where you can buy
CGP books from https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_ks3_maths). In the library
are copies of the Collins GCSE Foundation textbook (ISBN: 0 00 721578 9).
Equipment will NOT be leant out to you for this assessment, if you forget something. Use
this list to make sure you have everything you need:
 Pen and pencil – remember diagrams should be drawn in pencil
 Ruler
 Eraser
 Protractor
 Pair of compasses
 Calculator
We will provide tracing paper if needed.
The results of these assessments will be used to inform your teacher of your progress so
far. This grade will also be entered on your first progress check and will be used by your
teacher to inform the report which they will write on you.
Science
WHEN?
WHAT?
In your first or second Science lesson in the w/c 2nd February
A 1 hour Science skills/data analysis formative task in lessons. This will be appropriate to
the topic being studied in the rotation, but will not require revision. Any research which
will help will be outlined to classes on Edmodo, but for most tasks this will not be
required.
HOW?
Use your class notes to help you revise and to show you what you need to know. Look
specifically at your experiment write up and evaluation skills.
Use the information provided by your teachers on Edmodo.
Use the web-links below to help you:
http://lgfl.skoool.co.uk/keystage3.aspx?id=65
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/
There is no specific text book for this course so if you want a book to refer to we
recommend the “Science for you” series:
Chemistry for you (ISBN-10: 1408509210)
Biology for you (ISBN-10: 1408509202)
Physics for you (ISBN-10: 1408509229)
French
WHEN?
WHAT?
HOW?
In lesson time during the week beginning the 9th February.
A speaking assessment
The assessments will cover vocabulary from the topics of:
Jobs and the importance of languages
You will hold a conversation with your teacher or partner in French.
In the first part you will answer your teacher’s or partner’s questions about the job you want
to do, why you want to do this job and what you want to do when you are 16.
In the second part you will ask and answer questions about what you think about learning
languages, what you can do with languages and what kind of work you want to do. For
Level 5 you should also say what your plans for the future are. For level 6, you will describe
what you are like now, what you were like when you were younger and your future plans
You will practise speaking activities in class and learn strategies to help you with this skill.
You can use your class notes to help you revise.
The following websites may help you to learn the topic vocabulary and to practise your
pronunciation:
http://quizlet.com/subject/studio-3-module-3/
http://www.funwithlanguages.vacau.com/ks3French-3Passetemps.htm
http://www.acapela-group.com/
You may wish to consult a copy of the Studio textbook which may be used in your lesson to
support your learning and can be found in the learning centre:


WHY?
Studio 3 Vert (Green) textbook pp. 52-72
Studio 3 Rouge (Red) textbook pp. 52-72
The results of these assessments will be used to inform your teacher of your progress so far.
These will also be used to help your teacher to predict a grade for the end of year 9. This
grade will also be entered on your progress check and will be used by your teacher to inform
the report which they will write on you.
Sport
Week commencing 2nd February in your PE lessons
WHAT?
HOW?
WHY?
You will complete a practical assessment in Netwall activities ; Volleyball and Table
Tennis
Core skills, knowledge and understanding, application of skills and mindset are assessed
in the final lesson of each activity.
Students will take part in an assessment lesson which will involve a series of drills and
games to enable students to showcase their knowledge of the activity.
The results of this assessment will allow students to gauge their capabilities in Volleyball
and Table Tennis.
Students will not need to revise as this is an assessment of practical ability rather than an
examination testing retained knowledge.
You will still require your PE kit for the session in the week. You will need kit suitable for outdoor
and indoor use
Individuals and Societies
If you are a Parkside student, your assessment will be on Geography or History (depending upon what
you have studied before Christmas). If you are at Coleridge, you will complete the Geography
assessment this time.
Geography
WHEN?
WHAT?
HOW?
Week beginning 9th February 2015
Students will be assessed upon their knowledge and understanding of World
Development. Students will answer a range of short answer questions before
attempting an extended answer about the impact of multination companies and
globalisation.
Use of the materials and notes used in class and for your homework will form the main
elements of your revision, however think carefully about how you use these:
 Try making notes on your notes – condense the material down to learn it
rather than simply reading it again and again
 Produce illustrated mind maps of the main themes and ideas
 Use different colour ‘post it’ notes to highlight significant areas
Other useful material can be found by using the following resources:
 Geog.3 Textbook (Library) – Chapter 2 ‘Development (Pages 8-33), Chapter 5
Global Fashion (pages 62-77)
 New Places Textbook (Library) – Chapter One ‘Development Issues’
 BBC KS3 Bitesize – Interdependence
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/geography/interdependence/
WHY?
The results of these assessments will be used to inform your teacher of your progress
so far. This grade will be used to help your teachers decide the level entered on your
progress check and will be used by your teacher to inform the report which they will
ultimately write on you.
History
WHEN?
WHAT?
HOW?
Week beginning 9th February 2015
This assessment period you will be undertaking a knowledge testing exercise on your work
within the First World War. The assessment will examine the significance of the impact of
the Great War on British society.
Your assessment will be in an essay style, comparing different impacts and consequences
of the First World War and deciding on the significance of these events for British society.
Use of the materials and notes used in class and for your homework will form the main
elements of your revision, however think carefully about how you use these:
 Try making notes on your notes – condense the material down to learn it rather
than simply reading it again and again
 Produce illustrated mind maps of the main themes and ideas
 Use different colour ‘post it’ notes to highlight significant areas
Other useful material can be found by using the following resources:
 Technology, War and Identities (Library) – Chapter 2 ‘The Great War’ (Pages 2027) and Chapter 3 ‘What was it like to fight?’ (Pages 28-49)
 iWonder Guides from the BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww1
 BBC KS3 Bitesize – First World War
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/20th_century/first_world_war/revision
/1/
 BBC KS3 – First World War - http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/z4crd2p
Technology
WHEN?
Week commencing 2 February in your Tech lessons
WHAT?
You will receive the grading for your completed practical and design work from Unit 2.
Completion of peer and self-assessment of your practical work in Unit 2.
HOW?
You will receive a completed sheet with a picture of your work, and a teacher comment.
You will be expected to complete a self-assessment of your work based on a worksheet
received in your session.
WHY?
The peer and self-assessment will be added to your teacher’s comments to contribute to
your overall national curriculum grade. The self-assessment will allow staff to further
gauge your theoretical knowledge, which will back up your practical grading.
Create
WHEN?
WHAT?
HOW?

Compositional, creative, choreographic and devising skills are assessed
throughout the unit

In the two weeks which lead up to the end of each unit students will take part in a
final piece assessment
Students in the Performing Arts (Music, Dance and Drama) take part in final performance
pieces which are an accumulation of the skills learned during that specific unit.
In visual art students complete a final piece which displays the artistic skills which they
have learned during this unit.
In addition students will complete a written assessment sheet which records their
learning during the unit.
Students will not need to revise as this is an assessment of practical ability rather than an
examination testing retained knowledge.
However if students or parents would like to remind themselves of the skills learned all
teachers have recorded homework for students on Edmodo and these contain links to
useful sites