Music Department Assessment Policy
We pride ourselves on the fact that regular high-quality feedback is given to pupils to ensure progress.
KS3
Teachers will make use of both formative and summative assessment in order to ensure pupils make progress in the three main categories of performing, composing and appraising.
Teachers will give regular verbal feedback to pupils as either individuals, groups oras a class.Peer and self-assessment will be used regularly and feedback will be based on regular performances, compositions and discussions with pupils. Teachers will ensure that every pupil is heard performing or composing at least every three weeks which will be logged in the pupil tracker and feedback will be given in relation to the mastery statements with a target. SEL will monitor these trackers every half term to ensure that every pupil is being given feedback and is making progress.
KS4
Pupils will be assessed in the three areas of performing, composing and appraising regularly in order to ensure progress in each of these areas.
Performing
Pupils will be recorded every half-term when working towards their performances (see LTP) and these performances will be marked by the class teacher against the GCSE performance criteria. Feedback and meaningful and achievable targets will be given to the pupilwho will then document this by writing it in the back of their exercise books as a performance log. Grades will not be given to the pupil but will be kept and monitored by DJM. DJM will moderate the marking of these by taking a sample from each class to ensure that all teaching staff are consistent in their marking. Standardisation will be undertaken in the department where appropriate.
Composing
When pupils have begun the composition process (see LTP), composing lessons will be used to critique the work of the pupils. Peer and self-assessment will be used and the teacher will set appropriate targets each week which the pupil will write in their composing logs. Each pupil will be heard at least once a fortnight during the composing process. The compositions will also be submitted to the class teacher every half term so that more detailed feedback can be given to each pupil. Composition logs will be monitored by DJM every half-term to ensure quality of feedback. Grades will not be given to the pupil but kept and monitored by DJM so that pupils focus on progressing and improving instead of the mark.
Listening & Appraising
Classes will undergo regular listening exercises and will complete at least one exam-style listening question each week set by DJM. These marks will be recorded on a spreadsheet by the class teacher and collated by DJM to monitor the progress that pupils are making.
Longer-answer questions will be set for home learning which will be marked by the class teachers and recorded in the same way as the listening marks.
KS5
Students will be assessed in the three areas of performing, composing and appraising & contextual understanding regularly in order to ensure progress in each of these areas.
Performing
Students will be heard by the class teacher at least once every fortnight where meaningful feedback will be given with achievable targets. These targets will be written in the students’ performance logs. Performances will be recorded and marked every term against the exam specification and kept by the class teacher.
Composing
Students will demonstrate their compositions at least once every fortnight when meaningful feedback will be given with achievable targets. These targets will be written in the students’ composition logs. Compositions will be recorded and marked every term against the exam specification and kept by the class teacher.
Bach Chorale exercises will be set as homework at least every fortnight which will be marked and kept in the students’ folders.
Appraising & Contextual Understanding
Once students have analysed set works, they will be set at least one essay question a week as homework which will be marked and feedback given as how to improve further. Listening questions will be completed weekly as which will also be marked. All marks from both parts of the exam will be collated on a spreadsheet which will be monitored by DJM.