• assessed by the class teacher in English, Maths and Science
• given written tests (SATs) in English, Maths and Science

The class teachers look at every pupil's strengths and achievements and assess the level they have achieved in English, Maths and Science.

The teachers' assessments are based on the work that pupils have done during their everyday lessons. Most pupils are assessed somewhere between level 4 and level 7 for each Attainment Target. An overall level is given for each of the core subjects.

Pupils who are working at level 4 and above in English and level 3 and above in Maths and Science take written tests. The results from the tests are graded into levels 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 and all pupils who take the tests are expected to achieve one of these levels in each subject. For example a pupil may achieve level 5 in English, level 6 in Science and level 7 in Maths.

In some cases, there are differences between the level given for the teacher assessment and that achieved in a written test. There are a number of reasons to explain this. Some pupils produce consistently good work in class but find a formal test more difficult to deal with. Other pupils may do much better in a 'one-off' test than they do everyday in class.

All the levels and targets are described in the government's National Curriculum Orders. For example, if pupils achieve Science Level 6 (in the area of Life Processes and Living Things), the Orders say that

'pupils are able to describe and explain the life processes and features of living things, using scientific language such as 'photosynthesis' or 'respiration'. They can identify the differences between processes that are connected such as 'pollination' and 'fertilisation'. Pupils can describe simple cell structures and recognise the differences between the structure of cells in plants and animals. Pupils understand and can explain how habitats and the environment affect plants and animals in a variety of different ways. '

Pupils who show that they have achieved this, and the three other Science targets (in Experimental & Investigative Science, Materials & their Properties and Physical Processes) at this level, are awarded Level 6.

All pupils who are assessed as level 4 or above, are given written tests in English. These include Paper 1 (Reading and Writing) and Paper 2 (Shakespeare). Pupils working below Level 4 are assessed by the subject teacher only. This is done in a number of ways and involves written and oral work.

English Paper 1
Paper 1 is divided into two sections: Reading Comprehension and Writing. For the reading comprehension section, pupils are given a booklet with a selection of written items that include stories, possibly a poem and some factual writing. They have to answer questions and state opinions about each piece of text.

The second part of the paper asks pupils to produce a piece of creative writing. Pupils again need to pay attention to the use of English but at the same time they need to make their writing interesting, by using appropriate and meaningful vocabulary, engaging characters, a good story line, etc.

Throughout the paper, pupils need to pay attention to spelling, punctuation and grammar. The test lasts for 90 minutes.

English Paper 2
This is the Shakespeare paper. Pupils have studied one play, and have concentrated on two particular scenes from that play. ( In 1998 the plays are: Julius Caesar, A Midsummer's Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet). The test lasts 75 minutes.

If the Shakespeare paper continues in future years, Twelfth Night will replace Midsummer Night's Dream in 1999, Macbeth will replace Julius Caesar in 2000 and Henry V will replace Romeo and Juliet in 2001.

Extension Paper
Pupils who are working very well at level 7 in all areas of English may be entered for the English Extension Paper to see if they can achieve level 8 or an exceptional performance. The Extension Paper lasts 90 minutes. Entries at this level are at the discretion of the school.

Maths tests
All pupils who are assessed as level 3 or above, are given written tests in Maths - Paper 1, Paper 2 and a mental arithmetic test. In all secondary schools there is a wide ability range of pupils who work at different levels. The Maths SATs test are set to match these different levels.

• Pupils who are assessed as working at level 3 take the tests for levels 3 - 5.
  
• Pupils who are assessed as working at level 4 can take the tests for levels 3 - 5, or 4 - 6.
  
• Pupils who are assessed as working at level 5 can take the tests for levels 3 - 5, 4 - 6 or 5 - 7
  
• Pupils who are assessed as working at level 6 can take the tests for levels 4 - 6, 5 - 7 or 6 - 8.
  
• Pupils who are assessed as working at level 7 can take the tests for levels 5 - 7 or 6 - 8.
  
• Pupils who are assessed as working at level 8 take the tests for levels 6 - 8.

Mental Arithmetic test
The Mental Arithmetic test is a taped test of 30 questions lasting 20 minutes.

Papers 1 & 2
In all versions of the tests, pupils are given questions relating to number, shape, space, measures and handling data based on the work they have covered during class lessons. They are also asked questions that show they can solve problems by applying their knowledge of Maths to practical situations. Paper 1 is a non-calculator paper but calculators are allowed in Paper 2. Each Paper lasts 60 minutes.

Less able pupils
Pupils working at levels 1 and 2 are assessed by the subject teacher only.

Extension Paper
Very able pupils who have achieved Level 8 on the above papers may take a Maths Extension paper to see if they can achieve an exceptional performance. The Extension Paper lasts 60 minutes. Entries at this level are at the discretion of the school.

Science tests
All pupils who are assessed as level 3 or above, are given written tests in Science - Paper 1 and Paper 2. In all secondary schools there is a wide ability range of pupils who work at different levels. The Science SATs test are set to match these different levels.

• Pupils who are assessed as working at levels 3 or 4 take the tests for levels 3 - 6.
  
• Pupils who are assessed as working at level 5 can take the tests for levels 3 - 6 or 5 - 7.
  
• Pupils who are assessed as working at level 6 can take the tests for levels 3 - 6 or 5 - 7.
  
• Pupils who are assessed as working at levels 7 or 8 take the tests for levels 5 - 7.

Papers 1 & 2
In all versions of the tests, pupils are given questions based on the science work covered in biology, physics and chemistry. Pupils need to show that they can carry out experiments and investigate in a scientific manner and will be expected to understand and use the language of science in their answers. Each Paper lasts 60 minutes.

Less able pupils
Pupils working at levels 1 and 2 are assessed by the subject teacher only.

Extension Paper
Very able pupils who have achieved Level 7 on the above papers may take a Science Extension paper to see if they can achieve level 8 or an exceptional performance. The Extension Paper lasts 60 minutes. Entries at this level are at the discretion of the school.

An external examiner marks all the papers and schools usually receive the results in July.

Pupils are given a level for every test they take. The level given depends on how well a pupil does in the test, not on how many pupils take the test. If all the pupils receive good marks, they will all achieve level 5 or above. The majority of pupils at Key Stage 3 achieve level 5 or level 6.

• level 4 is below the level expected for an average 14 year-old at the end of Key Stage 3.
• levels 5 - 6 are the levels expected of an average 14 year-old at the end of Key Stage 3.
• level 7 is above the level expected for an average 14 year-old at the end of Key Stage 3.
• level 8 is well above the level expected for an average 14 year-old at the end of Key Stage 3.