Assessment and Reporting Information for Parents 2020-2021 - GCSE Grades 1-9 and Summit Steps

Sep 5, 2026

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A school guidance overview explains how student achievement is assessed and reported for the 2020-2021 academic year, replacing the former National Curriculum Levels approach. The document details the move to GCSE grades 1-9 and how grades map conceptually to earlier A*-G standards. It outlines the school’s assessment model using Summit Steps and Summit Ranges, supported by formative feedback and periodic summative assessments, including three Assessment Weeks each year.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

GCSE grades and grading equivalences

Rationale

Principles

Summit Steps and Summit Range

Reporting and comparison

Formative Assessment

Assessment Weeks

Mr Mason, 2020-2021 Assessment and Reporting Information for Parents Introduction For many years, schools assessed the work and achievement of students using National Curriculum Levels. Criteria was nationally produced for each level for each National Curriculum subject. In September 2014, the Government ceased the expectation and requirement to assess students using National Curriculum Levels. All schools are now expected to implement their own assessment system to suit their own circumstances and requirements. This system of assessment at Lealands uses GCSE grades 1-9 that were first introduced in the summer of 2017. GCSEs are now graded on a scale from 1-9: grade 9 being the highest, grade 1 being the lowest. For consistency and to aid the understanding of parents and students we believe that one grading system throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 is the most suitable and helpful. Figure 1 shows the GCSE grades and their equivalences compared to the old A* -G grading system. Grade 9 is the highest grade available and has no equivalent grade in the old grading system. Grade 7 is aligned to the old GCSE grade A, and the same proportion of students in each subject will achieve the grade 7 each year as achieved the grade A. Grade 5 is a new grading and sits above an old grade C and at the bottom end of an old grade B. This is known as a strong pass and is the Government’s new national expectation. Grade 4 is aligned to the old GCSE grade C, and the same proportion of students in each subject will achieve the grade 4 each year as achieved the grade C. This grade 4 is now classed as a standard pass. Rationale The GCSE assessment model: ● One system throughout the whole school to provide a coherent and continuous assessment model from Year 7 to Year 11 ● Simple and easy to understand – for staff, parents and students ● Based on developing the key knowledge, understanding and skills required for success in Key Stage 4 and beyond ● Based heavily on formative feedback, supporting all students to succeed – and so develops a “growth mindset”(belief that they can improve) ● Incorporates periodic summative assessment to support this ongoing formative feedback ● Has consistent principles, to be used across subjects, but the flexibility to be suitable for all subjects Principles ● Your child will be assigned a ‘Summit Step’ for Years 7 to 10 and a final Summit Range in Year 11. The summit steps ensure that your child maintains the correct trajectory towards their final Summit Range. ● We aspire for your child to achieve excellence at Lealands and any grade within the Summit Range will ensure that your child’s outcomes place them in the top 20% of similar students nationally. ● Grades reported to you are to be compared to your child’s individual Summit Steps but you will also have an overview of their progress towards the key grades of 4, 5 and 7. ● Your child will know their Summit Steps and final Summit Range, but feedback within class and Extended Learning will predominantly concentrate on formative feedback that makes students think about how to develop their understanding, knowledge and skills to progress further. ● GCSE rubrics (criteria) developed within the school by the subject departments will clearly demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed at each grade. Examples of the expectations required for grades 4, 5, 7 and 9 will be readily available for your child. ● The GCSE rubrics will be used internally to track and monitor your child’s progress. The same GCSE criteria will be used for all year groups. This will ensure that your child is assessed against the same standards throughout their time at the school. ● Three times a year, you will receive a report from the school that shows you where your child’s current attainment is and how this compares to their Summit Step and final Summit Range. Formative Assessment Your child will be continually assessed during lessons a

FAQs

Why did the assessment approach change after 2014?

The government ceased the expectation and requirement to assess students using National Curriculum Levels in September 2014. Schools are then expected to implement their own assessment systems suited to their circumstances.

How do GCSE grades 1-9 relate to the older A*-G system?

The document explains that GCSE grades are on a 1-9 scale, where grade 9 is highest. It includes equivalences compared to the old A*-G system, noting grade 9 has no direct old equivalent, while grades 7 and 4 align to older A and C respectively, and grade 5 is a new strong pass expectation.

What are Summit Steps and how are parents’ reports used?

Students in Years 7 to 10 are assigned a ‘Summit Step’, and Year 11 has a final ‘Summit Range’. Reports compare a child’s attainment to their individual Summit Step/Summit Range and also provide an overview toward key grades 4, 5, and 7.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Melati