The KS3 alternative assessments were designed to enable the pupils to engage with the learning ladder of progress. They could see from the criteria supplied with each activity what they needed to do in order to show that they were working at level 5, say, and they could also see the type of skill they would need to develop to work at the next level up.

Teachers have found a number of ways of making use of the resources written by their colleagues in Essex schools. They have used them for: stand alone exercises to be completed by individuals enabling the teacher to give high quality AFL feedback to the pupil to help them make progress; group work activities to encourage discussion among the group as they compose a group answer and for homework activities to enable the pupil to develop some independent learning skills.

The alternative assessment activities have been classified into 3 suggested categories but there is no hard and fast rule and teachers can exercise their own judgement as to the best use of any particular activity.

Thanks to all the Essex schools who contributed to this resource.