Age Related Expectations (ARE)
At Key Stage 3, which at KES is years 7 and 8, we operate an assessment system called ARE, which stands for Age-Related Expectations.
Everyone enters the academy at Year 7 with a score from KS2 tests (or a level if starting 2015 or earlier). These scores give us each student’s starting points in English and Maths. We are looking for two things: is each student making progress from their starting point and if they are not already at the expected level for their age, can they get there as quickly as possible?
There are four assessment levels you will see on reports and on assessed work.
ARE: this means that you are working at the expected level for your age in this subject. Good progress would be to remain at ARE during the two years.
AD: this means that you are working ‘at depth’. You are covering the same content and work at ARE and show that you have a very solid grasp of what you are studying, often working independently.
ARE- : this means that you have not yet met ARE. We will offer you individual advice on how to get to ARE.
ARE–: this means that you are working well below ARE. Again, we will offer you individual help and advice.
We have broken down the areas of the curriculum as follows. All of these areas lead onto the content and skills studied at GCSE.
Criteria are available which explain in more detail what is required to meet the Age-Related Expectations (ARE) and also what it takes to be considered to be working At Depth (AD).
These criteria are often used in classes. They can also be found here: ARE criteria