Since joining us in September, Year 7 students have been taught in groups based on information from primary schools. During the Autumn term, as students have become familiar with the changes and new routines, we have also carried out a number of diagnostic assessments across subjects and we are using the results of these assessments to place children in groups where they can learn best. This method of grouping learners is based on educational research and organised taking into account a number of factors including prior attainment, current achievement and teacher feedback. This ensures that all students experience a broad and challenging curriculum with levels of support tailored to their individual needs in each subject area through high quality first teaching.

From Monday 24th January, your child will be in one of three groups as follows:

1. Working deeper - students in these groups will have shown natural aptitude, high achievement or previous high attainment. The curriculum will reflect the breadth and aspiration of the national curriculum but will provide additional challenge and stretch for these students. This will prepare them for the highest tiers of papers in KS4 and set them on the path for our historic high achievement which you can see in our published data.
2. Core - the curriculum that we have created at St John Plessington is broad, ambitious and provides clear outcomes of what we expect children to know, do and understand as they move through our school. This will support them to achieve our ambitious and aspirational end points and allow them to successfully move on to the next stage in their education journey. Students in these groups will be challenged, stretched and supported in their learning. Those who make strong progress may move to the working deeper group according to internal and external assessment.
3. Working with additional support - students in these groups will be provided with personalised support and challenge to be able to follow our broad and ambitious curriculum. Individual tailored support will ensure that these students are able to move on to the next stage in their education journey.

These changes will apply to the following subjects:

• English
• Maths
• Science
• Spanish

Students will continue to follow our progressive curriculum and you will receive progress reports providing you with information about the progress that your child is making in relation to the curriculum in each subject area. You can find further curriculum information on the college website. Please do not hesitate to contact the year team should you have any queries.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Yours faithfully

Ms Maria Sharratt