Dear Parents and Carers of Year 11,
Your child’s report is now available to view on the Arbor App. This provides an Attitude to Learning Grade and their Next Steps Target Grade. A fuller report will be provided in December following the Pre-Public Exams.
What is a Next Steps Target Grade?
As your child progresses through Year 11, we want to ensure they are supported not only academically, but also in setting ambitious goals for their future. At Ibstock School, we believe that every student should be encouraged to aim high and pursue opportunities that reflect their true potential.
To help guide this journey, we are introducing Next Step Target Grades. These grades represent what your child should be capable of achieving if they consistently work hard, maintain an attendance rate above 95%, engage in regular revision, and complete independent study. These targets are aspirational and designed to reflect the level of achievement your child could reach with sustained effort and commitment.
In the past, students have limited their Post Sixteen course choices in some cases due to lower Likely Outcome Grades at the start of Year 11—when they are still developing exam skills, learning how to revise, and adjusting to the demands of GCSE study. That’s why we want to shift the focus away from these initial predictions and instead encourage students to apply for Post Sixteen courses based on their potential as reflected by their Next Step Target Grade. By doing so, we aim to empower students to make informed and confident choices about their next steps.
We also want to emphasise the importance of aiming for Level 3 qualifications, such as A-levels, BTECs, or T Levels, rather than Level 2 courses, which are equivalent to GCSEs. Level 3 qualifications open doors to university, apprenticeships, and a wider range of career pathways, and we want all students to feel confident in applying for these higher-level options.
To support independent study and revision, students have access to Chromebooks, which are a vital tool for learning both in and outside the classroom. We encourage students to use these devices regularly to complete independent learning, revise using online platforms, and develop the study habits that will serve them well in Post Sixteen education.
Finally, we want to stress that no decisions about next steps should be made in isolation. All students will have access to in-school careers advice, including one-to-one guidance interviews, support with applications, and information about pathways and opportunities. We urge students to take full advantage of this support to make well-informed choices about their future.
We ask for your support in reinforcing this message at home. Please encourage your child to take ownership of their learning, attend school regularly, and make the most of the resources available to them. Together, we can help them unlock their full potential and prepare for a successful future.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s Next Step Target Grades further, please contact your child’s CREW leader.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Nelson
