West Derby has been selected to take part in a 2 year national pilot to introduce the ‘Making Good Progress’ initiative. (500 schools in 10 Local Authorities are involved.)

The Aim of Making Good Progress (MGP) is to:-

• Focus more on classroom assessment and Assessment for Learning (i.e. improve the way pupils’ progress is assessed in day to day lessons and involve pupils more in understanding what they need to do to improve).
• Make some changes in testing arrangements.
• Involve parents and carers more in their children’s learning.

The overall aim is to help ensure every child achieves his potential with no child left behind. MGP focuses on pupils in Years 8 and 9 in Maths and English. There are two key aspects that parents need to be aware of; the Single-level tests and one to one tuition.

1.     Single-Level Tests

• Pupils in Years 8 and 9 are entered for these tests when the teacher is confident that they can achieve the level. Testing ‘when ready’ is a shift from the current Year 9 National Curriculum tests.
• Now there are opportunities for pupils to take a single level test in December and June of Years 8 and 9. Accurate teacher assessment/tracking will ensure pupils are entered for the appropriate level test.
• These extra assessments provide pupils with more chances of achieving the best National Curriculum level possible. Pupils will still take the National Curriculum Tests (SATs) in May. Pupils keep their ‘best score’ (their highest National Curriculum level).
• The Single Level Tests consist of two English tests (one in reading and one in writing) and a Maths test. The tests last 50 minutes each.
• The results for the December tests are returned by the exam board to school in January. 

2.     One to One Tuition

• Tuition will be provided (free of charge) for approximately 60 of our pupils in Years 8 and 9 to receive up to 10 hours of English and 10 hours of Maths individual tutoring by a Maths or English teacher.
• This tuition is additional to the provision we already make for the pupils. It must take place outside of school hours. Many of the lessons will take place at the end of the school day but it is also intended to organise a weekend away in the Spring Term and in the Summer Term. More details to follow.
• Pupils most in need of extra support will be recommended for individual tuition and parents will be contacted, after which an agreement will be drawn up between tutor, pupil and parent. A high level of commitment to attend, work hard and complete the additional work set.
• Tuition will commence on a rota basis for the Year 9 pupils selected from November.

Read more on the Government's DfES website.