Understanding KS3 Levels
Guide to understanding Key Stage 3 levels
The following is an indication of the meanings of each of the levels we use to describe performance at Key Stage 3.
8a – High level 8 – Exceptional Performance
8b – Solid level 8
8c – Low level 8 working slightly above level 7
Level 8 would be exceptional performance in that subject, students achieving level 8 at Key Stage 3 would be expected to be capable of an A*/A at GCSE
7a – High level 7 – working towards level 8, Exceptional Performance
7b – Solid level 7
7c – Low level 7 – working slightly above level 6
Level 7 would be High level performance in that subject area – Students at this level would be expected to be capable of achieving the higher grades at GCSE (A* – B)
6a – High level 6 – working towards level 7
6b – Solid level 6
6c – Low level 6 – working slightly above level 5
Students at level 6 would be expected to go on and achieve a minimum of a Grade C in GCSE examinations in that subject
National aspiration is that all students work towards a minimum of level 5 by the end of Key Stage 3.
5a – High level 5 working towards level 6
5b – Solid level 5
5c – low level 5 – working slightly above level 4
Level 5 – Average performance at Key Stage 3 – students at this level would be expected to be capable of achieving a Grade C at GCSE in that subject area
4a – High level 4 working towards level 5
4b – Solid level 4
4c – Low level 4 – working slightly above level 3
3a – High level 3 working towards level 4
3b – Solid level 3
3c – Low level 3
Each level may be further separated as follows:
7a
7ab
7b
7bc
7c
This is purely to give as much information as possible to describe the point at which a student is in their learning related to the whole level boundaries. For more detailed information as to what each level means please contact the subject teacher directly.
