Now that the Autumn Term is underway for schools in Wales, here are some reflections from Alps on setting priorities for Y11. 

This tabulates the best results achieved by the 2023 cohort in key Capped 9 subjects: 

How does your school’s performance compare with these figures? 

How does your school’s performance compare with these figures? 

Key questions and suggestions for this time of year: 

4. Set priorities based on your school or college’s KS4 performance in 2023. 

1. What strategic ‘data’ priorities had already emerged before the end of the Summer Term?  
   
2. What priorities relating to attendance or attitude to learning or mental health etc were a significant issue during Y10? 
   
3. At Alps we suggest uploading a Monitoring Point Zero (MPZ) at the start of Y11. Essentially this is your final Y10 assessment data but adjusted so Y11 teachers can see their Y11 set’s baseline based on end of Y10 performance. 
   
4. Which other priorities are now in place because of any disappointing surprises in terms of 2023 KS4 results?
   

1. The academic year often begins with in-depth evaluation of results in Raising Standards meetings with subject leads. Perhaps in September 2023 these meetings need a focus on current Y11, where they appear to be based on Y10 assessment, and how best to move forwards effectively. 
   
2. As always, there is much that we do not yet know and will have little ability to control. So, we recommend that you prioritise those things you can control, such as the quality of teaching and learning, the quality of guidance and support, and the quality of your leadership at all levels. 
3. Create a realistic assessment timetable with subject leads to enable students to practice and master the skills required in examinations. 
   
4. Use Alps Connect effectively throughout the year to help identify subjects, sets, student groups and students for support (& praise). 
   
5. At Alps we recommend a sharp focus on the subjects that are taken by all or most of your Y11 cohort as these subjects will have the most significant impact on this cohort’s outcomes and post-16 pathways as well as your Capped 9 points score and Alps value-added. 
   
6. Do all you can to be relentlessly positive both with your students and their teachers. 
   
7. Your top priority must involve putting the students’ needs and interests first, aiming for each to reach their potential and, perhaps crucially, to achieve positive post-16 pathways.