KS3/4: Creating Grade Methods (Admin) – Sisra Analytics Help Centre

This article aims to explain how to set up grade methods for use in KS3/4, including a number of examples, such as for double 9-1 Combined Science, GCE AS Level, and short course qualifications.

What is a Grade Method?

A grade method is used to tell Analytics what type of grades are going to be uploaded for each qualification. This is also where you can define the points and entries each grade is worth (if applicable), to be used in the calculations within the reports.

There are no default methods provided, as schools may wish to use their own whole/sub grade combinations. Before creating grade methods, there are a few things to consider:

You can create bespoke methods to cater for your schools chosen grading system at KS3, as well as official KS4 grade methods using Attainment 8 points - such as GCSE 9-1.
Grade methods can contain up to 12 whole grades (including fail grades) and up to 10 sub grades. For example, 9a, 9b, 9c, etc.
You must ensure that the grades uploaded in your grade files reflect the grades format you have entered within your methods.

Creating a KS3/4 Grade Method

To create a KS3/4 grade method, click CONFIG. > Grade Methods > KS3/4 Methods > ‘Create KS3/4 Grade Method’.

There are up to seven steps in creating a KS3/4 method, however not all of these may be relevant to you as they are based on the selections made in step 1.

1 / Set up Grade Method

Enter a clear method name. We recommend including the grade and qualification type, as well as the size. The name you enter will also be used to order your qualifications in selected reports. For example, you may want to use the name '9-1 GCSE Single' so it is first alphabetically.

Select the type of points, if any, the method will use:

Attainment 8: For official qualifications (e.g. GCSE 9-1, AS Level, BTEC First Award, etc.), which is required to calculate school performance measures. You must create at least 1 method with A8 points.
None: If you have adopted an assessment strategy that does not use points, e.g. Mastery pathways.
Custom: If you're using a bespoke points based system which does not follow official A8 points.

Select whether your method will include sub grades. Sub grades are optional, but this would allow you to upload these in your grade files to determine the strength of your students' grades in the reports. For example, 9a, 9b, 9c, 8a, 8b, etc.

If you have selected Attainment 8 in the Points section, you can then select whether this method is for a double or split award qualification (such as GCSE 9-1 Double qualifications, formatted as 99, 98, 88, 87, etc.).

Click Next.

2 / Define Whole Grades

Next, enter up to 12 whole grades, as well as the points and entries associated to them (if selected in Step 1). For example, an 8+ would be a master grade, which includes a whole grade 8 and sub grade +, so here you would enter 8.

If you're setting up a grade method for an official qualification awarded Attainment 8 points, you can check what points the DfE award using their performance points spreadsheet linked in our article - KS4 - Approved Qualifications, Discount Codes and Point scores.

If you chose not to include points in Step 1, you MUST enter the grades from strongest at the top, working down to the weakest grade at the bottom. You can then skip to Confirmation.

Note: It’s important to include non-scoring fail grades within your method and to set them up accurately (in line with the DfE), so that they count correctly in the reports, shown below:

Grade	Points	Entries	How is it treated?
U (and F for non-GCSEs)	0	1	Can contribute as an entry towards headline measures.
X	0	0	Shouldn't count towards headlines, but will count in student performance (such as Grades reports).

Q. How should I set up an examinable qualification without Attainment 8 points?

A. If you're looking to upload exam grades for a qualification with no official Attainment 8 points, there are 2 options to do this. See the following article for more information: FAQ: Can I set up qualifications without Attainment 8 points for Exams?

3 / Define Sub Grades

If you chose to include sub grades in step 1, you can define them here. You can enter up to 10 sub grades (up to 4 characters in length), which can help identify the strength of a students' grades.

Enter the strongest sub grade on the left, getting progressively weaker with the weakest sub grade on the right. This tells Analytics that, for example, the subgrade + is stronger than =, = is stronger than –, etc. Click Next.

Please note, if you only use 2 sub grades, such as + or -, you must enter a third placeholder in between these to complete step 5 of the grade method setup successfully. For example, you could enter an '=', even if you don't plan to upload this.

4 / Define Master Grades

If you have selected to include sub grades in step 1, you must then tick which sub grades will be valid for each whole grade. This will determine the overall master grades, which are the combination of whole and sub grades. For example, you could either upload a whole grade 8, or the master grades 8+, 8=, or 8-. Click Next.

5 / Define Sub Grade Equivalencies

If you have selected to include sub grades in step 1, next you must define which master grade each whole grade is equivalent to. If you were to upload whole grades, Analytics can then determine which sub grades are greater than, less than and equal to this. To define these, select the relevant master grade in the dropdowns for each grade. Click Next.

For example, we have selected the middle sub grade "=" for 9-1 grades. If we upload an 8, Analytics would know that this is equivalent to 8=, stronger than an 8-, but weaker than an 8+.

6 / Define Sub Grade Points *Optional!

If you have selected to include sub grades in step 1, you also have the option to assign custom points to each sub grade, by selecting the tick box. This will affect all points-based performance measures in the reports, including headline figures, for example, a grade 5- worth 4.7 points would not count towards a 9-5 measure. Therefore, these should only be used for internal analysis and treated with caution. Click Next.

7 / Confirmation

Finally, double check the method based on the previous selections. If you need to make any changes, click ‘Previous’ to go back to the appropriate step. Click Finish when you are happy with the setup.

This will take you to the Grades Method Detail page, where you can click ‘Back to Grade Method List’ at the top to return to the original page. This process can then be repeated to create all necessary grade methods for your KS3/4 cohorts. You must create at least one method using Attainment 8 points to create an EAP.

Below is an example of how the Grade Method List may appear, once you have created various
methods. The methods that you choose to create are entirely up to the preference at your
school and how you intend to collect/analyse your KS3/4 data.

Using Target Grades as EAP Baselines?

If you are using WHOLE Targets as EAP baselines (e.g. 9, 8, 7), you could consider creating two separate methods to cater for this. This will remove the sub grades from the EAP Details page, ensuring this is much clearer for you!

For example, a WHOLE 9-1 method can be used as your EAP baselines method
(selected on the KS2 / Baselines page), whereas a SUB 9-1 method could be used as
your Year 11 grade method (selected within your EAP).

For more information on creating grade methods check out the articles linked below:

Thanks for reading!