The Growth Threshold and Assessment Model (GTAM)

When the latest version of the National Curriculum of England was introduced to schools in 2014, the system of attainment levels was removed. Consequently, various schools in the UK were awarded assessment innovation funds to research and create different systems of tracking and reporting attainment. The model designed by Durrington High School fitted very closely with the SKIS’ Growth Mindset and BLP pedagogical values and so, from September 2017, we adopted our modified version of this model.
Students are assessed by several means upon entry to KS3: Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT) baseline tests and SKIPS end-of-Year 6 attainment threshold. Teachers decide on a starting threshold from Foundation to Developing to Secure to Excellence. Teachers and students are then challenged to develop through each of the thresholds and to maintain the top level of excellence when they have reached this point. Curriculum maps, schemes of learning and units of work are then back-planned based on the final KS4 grade of A* of content and skills. Learning targets are simple to understand for students based on the UOW (Unit of Work) rubrics. It would be expected for students to progress through 2 thresholds throughout an academic year: eg. Developing at the beginning to Excellence at the end. The aim of the school is to get all students to the "Excellence" level by the time they sit their final IGCSEs.
Curricula are designed to progress through each key stage eg: Excellence in Year 7 would correspond to Secure in Year 8.
Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Excellence | ||||
Excellence | Secure | |||
Excellence | Secure | Developing | ||
Excellence | Secure | Developing | Foundation | |
Excellence | Secure | Developing | Foundation | |
Secure | Developing | Foundation | ||
Developing | Foundation | |||
Foundation |
We visited numerous international schools in Klang-Valley and Sri KDU Subang Jaya was not even on our list. Reason being it is way out of our travelling radius. However, we are glad we made the visit to the school before our final call, and it was the best decision ever! It was a huge transition period for us during the first 2 weeks into school, but the school’s team (Teachers, Administrative and Parent’s Teacher Association) made us feel right at home. We were given clear guidance and was kept well informed on the happenings in the school. My daughter blended into the community quite well with the care provided by the Homeroom teacher. All the teachers here are the kindest, as she told me. She looks forward to going to school and has become more disciplined in terms on knowing what tasks she needs to complete daily. She has gained so much confidence during this short period of time and was given the encouragement to explore and develop her abilities here. She was just selected as the new Primary House Captain for Year 6 AY2022/2023.
Every parent want to find the ‘perfect’ school for their child and are afraid of making the wrong decision. For us, as long she is safe and happy, we believe, she will eventually find the way to her own success.