Upon arrival at MSM, all students are placed on one of 4 learning pathways indicated to the right. Students are placed on the most appropriate pathway for their learning needs. The pathway upon which students are placed depends upon their average Key Stage 2 score and/or their Cognitive Assessment Test (CATs) score. All students sit a CATs test upon arrival.

Each student’s work and performance is assessed against their pathway by their subject teachers four times a year and are given one of the grades indicated to the right. Subject specific criteria determines what a mastery, secure, developing and foundation student should be able to achieve at each of the four data collection points e.g. if a secure student is meeting all of the secure criteria, “SO” is recorded which indicates they are working towards their expected level; equally, the same student could be working above or below the secure criteria and if so would be awarded a different pathway attainment level to reflect the criteria that were satisfying.

In addition to having their achievement levels assessed, all students are given a grade for their Attitude to Learning (ATL) by each of their subject teachers in each of 3 areas as indicated to right. The ATL levels are from 1 to 5 with 5 being awarded to students demonstrating that they always meet expectations in lessons.

In addition, tutors grade each student in each of 2 areas as indicted to the right quite simply as “yes” or “no”.