1. Sir James Smith’s Community School
STEPS GRID handbook
A practical guide
Key Stage 3

2. STEPS and the STEP Grid Handbook
Monitoring and reporting attainment and progress
throughout Key Stage 3
Dear Parent/Carer,
Over the past 12 months we have been using the STEPS assessment model with our Key Stage 3 students. Each subject has a STEPS grid. Each grid is comprised of 9 ‘steps’ and a number of ‘strands’. The grid contains descriptors for what your child needs to be able to do to complete a ‘step’. After using the STEPS model for the past year, we have refined and updated some grids.
Your son/daughter will start with a baseline ‘step’ in Year 7, which will be derived from KS2 data and baseline assessments they will complete in their opening weeks of Year 7. For Year 7 students, we will report the baseline step for each subject in the first report in mid-November. For Year 8 and 9 we will report the next progress data at this time. It is expected that most students would move up each strand by at least 1 step each year (3 steps over the course of the key stage)*.
We feel very confident that what your son/ daughter experiences at Sir Jim’s is indeed a very comprehensive and professional package. This assessment model allows you as parents and carers the opportunity to be closely involved in their attainment, progress and target setting over the entire key stage.
Below you will find a copy of the STEPs grid. Please keep this safe and use it to cross reference attainment on each report with content of the KS3 courses for each subject studied.
You should receive three attainment reports throughout the year, as detailed below:
Finally, please feel free to contact me directly if you have a specific question about the system which needs further explanation.
Yours faithfully
Mr. E. McGuffie
Assistant Head Teacher – Curriculum

3. Introduction What is STEPS?
What is STEPS?
Strategic Targets for Educational Progress and Success (STEPS) is an assessment and progress monitoring, tracking and reporting programme for secondary schools.
How does it work?
Upon arrival in Year-7, every student is assessed via a broad range of information and results available to the school. Subject teachers then place students at a baseline Step in each Strand and this becomes the starting point for each subject. A Step Point Score is generated which is an overall score for a subject. Each student is expected to make at least one Step of progress in the Step Point Score per year, with the exception of Science where progress has been built implicitly into the scheme of work.
School reports
You will receive three reports per year showing your child’s attainment and progress in every Strand in every subject and it will also show you the overall Step Point Score. When used in conjunction with this handbook, it will give you both a detailed and quick method of reviewing attainment and progress so far. It will also allow you to discuss targets to progress to the next Step.
The STEPS grids
Each subject has its own grid, these form the rest of this handbook. Each grid is a basic summary of all the work that can be covered in each of the Key Stage 3 Programmes of Study. Each subject follows a similar approach.
Strands: these run along the top of the grid, they break a subject down into smaller topics or areas. There are between three and seven Strands per subject.
Steps: These break a subject down into progressive Steps. There are nine Steps per Strand per subject; 1 is the lowest Step and 9 is the highest.
Statements: Each Step has one or more statements. Students have to achieve all of these, and all of the ones in the Steps below, to be at that Step level.
The Step Point Score
Students will be given a Step score for each individual Strand in each subject. The Step Point Score combines these individual scores to give an overall score in a subject.
If 3.6 was the baseline at the start of year-7, then the students would be expected to reach:
4.6 by the end of Year-7
5.6 by the end of Year-8
6.6 by the end of Year-9.
This would be a minimum expectation and targets could be adjusted each year to maintain challenge for each individual.

5. Key Stage 3 Programme of Study 2018-19 - Maths
Year
Autumn-term
Spring-term
Summer-term 7
Higher:
Analysing and
displaying data
Number skills
Middle:
Lower:
Calculations (4 operations, squares,
cubes, etc)
Equations, functions
and formulae
Fractions
Expressions,
functions and
formulae
Decimals and
measures
Coordinates and
Graphs
Angles and shapes
Percentages
Probability
Factors and
multiples
Equations
Ratio and
proportion
Angles and lines
Multiplicative reasoning, using ratios
Perimeter, area and volume
Sequences and graphs
Lines and angles
Transformations
Measuring and shapes
Fractions, decimals and percentages 8
Factors and powers
Working with
powers
Number
Area and volume
Number properties
and calculations
Shapes and measures in 3D
2D shapes and 3D
solids
Real-life graphs
Statistics, graphs
and charts
Expressions and
equations
Statistics-graphs,
charts & tables
Fractions, decimals
and percentages
Decimals and ratio
Decimal calculations
Angles – measuring,
in polygons and in parallel lines
Constructions and
loci
– factors, multiples
& primes
Scale drawings and measures
 Middle:
Calculating with fractions
Straight-line graphs
Percentages, decimals and fractions
Sequences
Fractions and percentages 9
Students in Year-9 will follow the GCSE Specification.

6. Probability & statistics
Maths Higher
Step
Strand 1
Number
(Equal weighting)
Strand 2
Algebra
Strand 3
Ratio & proportion
Strand 4
Geometry & measure
Strand 5
Probability & statistics 9
All of the below and…
G.P.s with surds
Multi-step calculations with bounds
Geometric Progressions with surds
Solve ratio problems using algebra
Use the appropriate ratio to find a length, or angle, and hence solve a two-dimensional problem
Histograms 8
Calculate with surds, rationalise the denominator
Bounds
nth term of a quadratic
Simultaneous equations with a quadratic, also with graphical method
Rate of change
Combining 4 ratios into 3 ratios
Use trig ratios to find angles in right-angled triangles
Find the interquartile range of a large set of grouped data using a cumulative frequency chart 7
Calculate with roots, integer and improper fractional indices
Rearrange difficult formulae
Equation of line given 2 points, or 1 point and gradient
Plot/interpret non-linear graphs 
Understand and use inverse proportion
Unitary method of ratio to find missing or surplus quantities
Use trig ratios to find lengths of sides right-angled triangles
Estimate the median of a set of grouped data using a cumulative frequency chart 6
Fractional indices (unit fractions)
Recurring decimals into fractions
% difference
Expand 3 brackets
y=mx+c, parallel/perpendicular lines
Parallel & perpendicular (y=mx+c)
Identify data that is proportional to the inverse of a variable
Use ratio to find an amount given that 1 person has n more
Use expressions of the form y is proportional to x2
Enlargements with negative SF
Combined transformations
Invariance
Understand that the ratio of any two sides is constant in similar right-angles triangles
Cumulative frequency
Box plots
Find the median class of a set of grouped data 5
% change, including original value problems, use of multiplier
Index laws and negative indices
Estimating calculations (1SF)
Standard recurring decimals
Simultaneous equations
Factorise and solve quadratics (a=1) inc difference between 2 squares
Geometric progressions
Construct and solve equations with brackets, negatives and simplify
Use expressions of the form y is proportional to x
Use algebraic methods to solve problems involving variables in direct proportion
Find a missing quantity using a ratio
Surface area of prisms, spheres, cones and composite solids
Arc lengths, angles and areas of sectors of circles
Similar shapes and Congruency
Loci
Distance between points
Enlargement (fractional)
Probability tree diagrams
Calculate an estimate of the mean of a large set of grouped data

7. Probability & statistics
Maths Higher
Step
Strand 1
Number
(Equal weighting)
Strand 2
Algebra
Strand 3
Ratio & proportion
Strand 4
Geometry & measure
Strand 5
Probability & statistics 4
All of the below and…
Index notation, inc letters
Inequalities with decimals
Simplify expressions with powers
Significant figures
Reverse Percentage
× and ÷ fractions, including by a mixed number
Simultaneous equations graphically
Expand 2 brackets, factorise into single bracket, rearrange formulae
Trial and improvement to 1dp
Index laws
Equation of straight line and y = mx + c
Inverse of a linear function and y = x
Equations w brackets and denominators
Relate ratios to fractions and to linear functions, write ratios as fractions
Understand direct proportion as equality of ratios
Write ratios in the form 1:n
Share in ratios with more than 2 people
Surface area of pyramids composite shapes
Transformations
Volume of prisms
Pythagoras’ theorem.
Circumference and area
Interior/exterior angles of polygons
Nets of 3D shapes
Properties of triangles, congruent triangles
Time series
Scatter graphs, correlation, causation, interpolation and extrapolation
Draw and use a line of best fit 3
x,÷ positive and negative integers
Index notation e.g. 23
Estimation using significant figures
Time as a mixed number
Order decimals, x and ÷ decimals
Compare a fraction and a percentage
Best buy problems
Prime factor decomposition HCF/LCM
BIDMAS with fractions
Calculate square and cube root
Calculations with brackets 2 or 3
Use a calculator for powers.
Rounding to any accuracy
Order +ve, -ve numbers, decimals
± x,÷ fractions and mixed numbers
Express one number as a % of another
Fractions/recurring/terminating dec’s
Order fractions, e quivalence of FDP
Percentage increase or decrease
Substitute into formula and expressions
Equations with x2
Solve equations, variable on both sides
nth term in an arithmetic sequence
Generate linear and quadratic sequences
Formulas, expressions, equations, identities
Inverse of a linear function
Writing repeated × as n, n2, n3
Simplify by multiplying terms
Simplify expressions involving powers
×/factorise a single bracket
Construct and solve linear equations
Plot, recognise graphs of y = x, y = −x
Midpoint of a line segment
Generate four quadrant coordinate pairs of simple functions
Plot/compare graphs of the form y = mx + c
Proportions as fractions
Simplify ratios expressed in fractions or decimals
Unitary method to solve simple word problems involving ratio and direct proportion
Divide a quantity in any ratio
÷ in a given ratio, inc decimals
Graphs of direct proportion
Recognise direct proportion from graph
Identify and describe practical examples of direct proportion
Best buy
Areas of compound shapes
Plans and elevations, 3D shape properties
Linear and non-linear graphs
Angles in parallel lines
Reflection symmetry in 3D shapes
Translations, rotations and reflections
Reflection in y = x, y = −x
Constructions
Draw a triangle accurately given SAS
Area of a parallelogram and trapezium
Volume of a cuboid
Convert between metric units, inc area
Use plan, front and side elevations
Draw 2D representation of 3D objects
Draw/use graphs for dist–time problems
Classify quadrilaterals
Solve geometric problems using side and angle properties of special quadrilaterals
Solve angle problems by forming equations
Scatter graphs and correlation
Use the language of probability
to compare two events
Probability from mutually exclusive events
Use more complex 2-way tables
Choosing mode, median, or mean to compare data
Construct and use a stem and leaf diagram to find median and mode
Interpret scatter graphs

8. Probability & statistics
Maths Higher
Step
Strand 1
Number
(Equal weighting)
Strand 2
Algebra
Strand 3
Ratio & proportion
Strand 4
Geometry & measure
Strand 5
Probability & statistics 2
All of the below and…
HTU x TU, HTU ÷ TU
Calculations with > 1 step & brackets
+, - with +ve and -ve integers
Find all factor pairs for whole nos
Find the HCF or LCM
Squares, square roots, with a calc
Factors, multiples, prime numbers
Multiply by multiples of 10
Estimate using mixture of operations
Subtract decimals
×, ÷ numbers with 2 d.p.by 1-digit nos
Rounding to one d.p.
Find simple percentages inc decimals
Equivalent fractions, FDP, + & -
Fractions of amounts,simplify fractions
Multiply a fraction by an integer
Convert fractions to decimals
Substitute any numbers into simple formulae
Derive more complex formulae
Two-step linear equations
Pattern sequences
Plot coordinates in all four quadrants
Find outputs of simple functions
Collecting like terms, mixed linear terms
Construct expressions from words
Derive simple formulae
Subst’ +ve integers into simple formulae
Generate sequence, pos’n-to-term rule
Use linear expressions to describe the nth term in a one-step linear sequence
Plot linear functions in 1st quadrant
Construct/solve simple linear equations
Sharing in a given ratio
Relationship of ratio and prop
Ratio, prop (unitary method)
Using direct prop in context
Simplify ratio
Use % to compare simple prop
Link between ratio, fractions
Perimeter/area of rectangular shapes
Construct triangles
Basic metric imperial equivalents
Convert between metric units
Solve simple geometrical problems showing reasoning
Calculate angles in triangle, around a point.
Solve angle problems using properties of triangles and quadrilaterals
Enlargement using a scale factor
Properties of 3D shapes from 2D diagrams
Rotations, reflections and translations
Area of triangles
Sketch the net of 3D shape.
Surface area/volume of a cuboid
Draw and interpret conversion, line graphs
Grouped data tables.
Probability of equally likely outcomes
Probability of not occurring is 1 – p
Identify outcomes for two successive events with two outcomes in each event
Mean, mode, range for a small data set, compare sets of data
Extract data & interpret line graphs, compound and comparative bar charts
Read, draw tally charts, tables, charts and line graphs, including grouped data
Probability scale from 0 to 1
Find/justify probabilities in contexts
Relative frequency and probability
Interpret and construct bar/pie charts
Mean from a simple frequency table 1
Can…
Round to nearest 10, 100, 1000
Written methods for HTU ÷ U.
Order +ve , -ve integers and decimals
Order of operations.
Find simple % of whole numbers
Equivalence of FDP
Compare simple fractions
Convert improper fraction to mixed no
Substitute integers into formulae
Collecting linear terms
Terms in a given position in a sequence.
Recognise and extend number sequences
Generate terms of a simple sequence using term-to-term rule.
Solve simple problems using ideas of ratio and proportion (‘one for every…’ and ‘one in every…’)
Coordinates in all four quadrants
Perimeters of squares and rectangles.
Sum of the angles on a straight line.
Calculate the median of a set of data.

9. Probability and statistics
Maths Foundation
Step
Strand 1
Number
(Equal weighting)
Strand 2
Algebra
Strand 3
Ratio and proportion
Strand 4
Geometry and measure
Strand 5
Probability and statistics 5
All of the below and…
Error intervals due to truncation or rounding
Geometric progressions
Find a missing quantity using a ratio
Enlargements (fractional SF)
Translations (as vectors)
Congruency
Calculate an estimate of the mean of a set of grouped data 4
X & ÷ fractions, including mixed nos
Terminating decimals and their corresponding fractions
Interpret limits of accuracy
Percentage multipliers
Expand and simplify double brackets
Fibonacci type sequences
Solving linear equations
Similar figures
Write ratios in the form 1:n
Share in ratios with more than 2 people
Enlargements
Area of circles and composite shapes
Transformations and properties
Pythagoras’ Theorem (2D)
Draw a line of best fit. 3
Multiply 2 digit decimals
Cube roots, including brackets.
x, ÷ negative numbers.
Use a calculator for powers.
Round to appropriate accuracy
Order +ve and -ve nos, inc decimals
Divide decimals by decimals
+ & - mixed number fractions
× fractions, ÷ an integer by a fraction
Express one number as a percentage of another
Recurring or terminating decimals
Equivalence of fractions, decimals, %
Percentage increase or decrease.
Order fractions
Use n, n2, n3.
Simplify by multiplying terms.
Multiply a single term over a bracket.
Factorise a single bracket.
Substitute a +ve value into an expression.
Construct and solve linear equations.
Plot, recognise and name graphs of y = x and y = −x.
Find the midpoint of a line segment.
Generate four quadrant coordinate pairs of simple functions.
Compare features of y = mx + c graphs
In tables, compare changes in y with corresponding changes in x.
nth term of linear sequence.
Simplify ratios expressed in decimals.
Divide in a given ratio, involving decimals.
Recognise direct proportion from graph form.
Identify and describe practical examples of direct proportion.
Fractions in ratio problems.
Construct an accurate parallelogram.
Area of a parallelogram/trapezium.
Volume of a cuboid.
Convert between area measures.
Use plan, front and side elevations.
Draw 2D representation of 3D shapes
Distance time-graphs.
Non-linear graphs
Quadrilateral properties.
Corresponding, alternate and co-interior angles.
Interior/exterior angles of polygons.
Find angles using algebra.
Angles in parallel lines, bearings
Area and circumference
Use 2-way tables.
Use and apply the mode, median, mean appropriately.
Construct and use a stem and leaf diagram to find median and mode.
Interpret scatter graphs.
Frequency tables/diagrams
Averages from a table
Scatter graphs

10. Probability and statistics
Maths Foundation
Step
Strand 1
Number
(Equal weighting)
Strand 2
Algebra
Strand 3
Ratio and proportion
Strand 4
Geometry and measure
Strand 5
Probability and statistics 2
All of the below and…
x, ÷ by 10 and 100 and 1000.
Multiply HTU x TU
Squares and roots < 100
+, - fractions, +ve and -ve integers
Use inverse operations
x & ÷ -ve integers by +ve integers
+,-,x decimals, order decimals
Round to 2 d.p.
Prime factor decomposition
HCF, LCM of numbers <100
Using percentages
Express one number as a % of another
Multiply a fraction by an integer
Factor pairs
Equivalent fractions
Estimate calculations
Convert fractions to decimals
Construct expressions/formulas from words, using addition, subtraction and multiplication
Substitute integers into simple formulae
Use arithmetic operations with algebra
Find outputs and inputs and use the inverse
Construct and solve linear equations, with integer coefficients, of the form ax = b or x ± b = c
Generate terms of a linear sequence using a position-to-term rule
nth term in a one-step arithmetic sequence
Plot graphs of simple linear functions in the first quadrant
Use ratio notation
Reduce a ratio to its simplest form
Understand the relationship between ratio and proportion.
Use proportional reasoning to solve problems
Use percentages to compare simple proportions
The links between ratio and fractional notation
Ratio and recipes
Best buy
Simple proportion and in context
Estimate angles, measure obtuse/reflex
Angles at a point, in triangles & quadrilaterals, properties of triangles
Line/rot’l symmetry of regular polygons
Definition of congruence
Volume of a cube and capacity problems
Convert cm3 to litres
Surface area of cuboids, area and perimeter, area of a triangle
Vertically opposite angles
Draw triangles (SAS,ASA) nets of 3D shapes
Convert metric units
Enlargement (scale factor), translation, reflection/rotation, (and combinations of)
Properties of solids, of 3D shapes from 2D representations, plans and elevations
Conversion and line graphs
Symmetry
Collect/record data from experiments
Averages and range for a small set of discrete data
Find the mode from any bar chart
Mean from a frequency table
Dual and compound bar charts
Construct and interpret pie charts
Probability scale
Probabilities (equally likely outcomes)
Charts, tables, graphs, including for grouped data
Know that if the probability of an event is p, the probability of not occurring is 1 – p
Estimate probabilities based on experimental data
Frequency trees
Vertical line charts 1
Can…
± whole numbers, (column)
Multiples, factors and divisibility
Find common factors and primes
Temperature rise across 0°C
Order +ve and -ve integers (positive decimals/use < and > notation)
HTU × U and HTU ÷ U
BIDMAS
Simplify and compare basic fractions
Equivalence of FDP
Round numbers to 1, 10, 100 or 1000
% of whole number quantities
Improper fraction to a mixed number
Generate and describe simple integer sequences, square and triangle numbers and using a term-to-term rule
Recognise and extend number sequences by counting
Generate terms of a simple sequence using term-to-term rule
Solve simple problems using ideas of ratio and proportion (‘one for every…’ and ‘one in every…’)
Area of a square/rectangle
Coordinates in all four quadrants
Basic real-life graphs
Measure to the nearest millimetre
Measure, draw and label angles
Types of angles, angles on a straight line
Basic reflection
Parallel and perpendicular lines
Perimeters of regular polygons
Nets of cuboids and closed cubes, identify faces, edges, vertices, name 3D shapes
Simple metric conversions
Scales involving decimals
Find 'most common' for discrete data.
Median and range of a set of data
Use the vocabulary of probability
Pictograms
Bar charts
Multiply mentally TU × U
Use doubling
Recognise multiples up to 5 × 5
Rapid recall of mult’n facts to 10 × 10
Order fractions with common denominators.
Find simple fractions of whole number quantities
Know the names of regular polygons
Interpret data in a simple table
Dependant on the Scheme of Learning your child is following, they may or may not complete all the content in each step.

11. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is STEPS? A. STEPS is an assessment-recording and progress-monitoring system for all subjects studied at Key Stage 3. Q. What are STEPS grids? A. The STEPS grids break a subject down into Strands of content and nine progressive Steps. Students are placed on the STEPS grid following a baseline assessment. The expected progress is at least one-Step per year or three-Steps over the key stage. Q. What is a Strand? A. A Strand is an area of study of a subject. Every subject is divided into between three and seven Strands. Q. What is a Step? A. Every Strand is broken down into nine progressive Steps. Nine is the highest Step and one is the lowest. Steps provide the pathway through the Programme of Study for each Strand. Q. Why does my child appear to have made more progress in one subject than another? A. All subjects are different and so are children! It is quite understandable for one student to have a different rate of progress to another. Learning is a cycle of improvement. Students improve and then plateau before making further improvement – the timescale for this improvement is very individual and varies between subjects. It is quite normal for rapid progress to be made when children are exposed for the first time to specialist teaching, when perhaps teachers with expert knowledge were not available in primary school. Q. My child seems to have made no progress at all in one subject. A. There could be circumstances which would mean that within the last assessment cycle this was the case. It could be a completely new subject, or one that has been studied for only a portion of the year. We are anticipating three Steps of progress over the key stage and that one Step is merely the average of this expected progress each year. Remember also that in Science, progress has been built implicitly into the schemes of work. Therefore your child will be expected to stay on the same step or fluctuate above/ below this step as the content becomes more challenging throughout the year. Progress will be numerically represented by a variation score (progress score) from your child’s start point. If your child’s score is positive or remains at 0 throughout the year this represents expected progress or above expected progress; if they receive a minus progress score then this indicates that they will need more support to maintain their progress in the upcoming units.