Attitude to Learning (ATL) is a key focus of Eckington School and Chorus Education Trust. We want to ensure that our students have the skills and abilities to progress in life as outstanding learners. We have identified 5 characteristics of good learning:

• Ready to learn - Enthusiastic, attentive and organised.
• Resilient – Positive, adaptable and confident.
• Resourceful – Independent, focussed and engaged.
• Respectful – Polite, helpful and collaborative.
• Reflective – Responsive, conscientious and considerate.

 

 

How is the ATL grade calculated?

Each half term teachers give students a numerical grade (1-4) based on the 5 characteristics of good learning in each subject. We calculate an average of these grades to show progress over the course of the academic year, and this is a good indicator of how much progress students will make across the curriculum.

Once all subjects have completed this, we also have an average ATL grade for your young person. It helps everyone to understand how each young person is working and therefore how that might translate into potential academic outcomes, which are as follows:

• An average grade between 1 and 1.5 would suggest that your young person will make better than expected progress. 
• An average grade between a 1.6 and a 2.5 is expected progress. 
• An average grade between a 2.6 and a 3 suggests below expected progress.
• An average grade between a 3.1 and a 4 suggests significantly below expected progress.

Students are supported during their tutor time to understand their grades and what actions they may need to take to sustain or improve their ATL grades.

How can students progress?

Our ATL mats are used by students to work out how they can improve their attitude to learning. You can view one of these below:

What ATL is not

ATL grades are not a comment on the effort or behaviour of each student. The ATL grade is about how focused and driven each student is to fulfil their own potential. It is about demonstrating particular characteristics that support making good or better progress.

How does school help?

Each term, students are given their data and spend time during tutor looking at their grades and decide how they can continue to make positive progress. This means looking at where they currently are and setting themselves some targets to focus on over the next term. This is done in agreement with their tutor, who will support each student. 

Students may commit to target such as:

• Engaging with extension tasks.
• Reading around subjects.
• Attending extra sessions.
• Contributing to discussions in class or groups.
• Completing work beyond the minimum expectations.
• Being punctual to all lessons.
• Completing any pre-reading tasks before the lesson.

How can you help?

It is really important that our young people understand the importance of developing these skills. They are skills that they will need in the wider world and benefit from talking through how they are doing on each of these aspects. You can look at each report that comes out with your young person and ask them about the areas they have identified to work on.

You could ask them:

• Why do they think they have received the grades?
• What actions can they take?
• Who might be able to help them with their ATL.

A student’s form tutor is able to help advise about any targets that the student may have set themselves.  Students will also work with other staff in school to improve their grades depending on how much support they need.

The key point to remember is that an active and engaged learner is a learner who will make the most of their potential.