How can I tell if DD is doing ok, if I doubt the school's new grading system?(relevant for year 10/11 parents?)

[BurningBridges]

DD is in year 10 - she started a new school in September 2015 they then adopted a new system on the back of the Government changes. The system they have chosen is hugely complicated. So at her previous school they showed me her predicted grades, and she was C to A* for all subjects. Now I have no idea what so ever. I went in a few weeks ago and saw a couple of teachers and they all said, fairly airily, that she was doing "fine" but I am none the wiser.

There are lots of problems and I suspect they are just saying anything. She's only here for years 10 and 11 but that's the GCSE years so I am worried. How do you assess your child's progress? Do you understand your schools grading system, do you just get a feeling? The school is a UTC so no homework that I can look at to judge. DD says the teaching is appalling, lots of substitute teachers, or those that aren't substitutes aren't bothered, she's getting really worried herself

Check out your UTC's progress & achievement in the DfE 2017 GCSE league tables - you can then see what they are delivering. The majority of UTC's are failing - 30/37 who posted results in 2017 are below the Government's floor standards - so amongst the worst 300 schools in the country.
So agree with Chalkhearts comment - fine means you won't be worried &/or kick up a fuss . Good luck.

I wouldn't focus too much on the grades right now and take it with a pinch of salt. For most subjects this is their first year doing 1-9 grading system and I know for my subject, it seems that every other term they have decided to change something - either by making something harder, or by realising it's too hard and making it easier or changing the marking criteria. No grade boundaries are going to be released until June/July so when setting predicted grades it's difficult. I don't believe there are any subjects this year offering A*-U grades so I am surprised that her last school was using it. That actually rings alarm bells to me since there are so many schools who are not making enough of an effort to get to know the new GCSE and so their classes are not ready.

As far as substitutes go, it's just a sign of the times. There is a crisis. The trick is to find a school with good management. If there is good management, staff retention is much better. So either look for a better school, or get her a tutor. However, if you are paying for a tutor to educate her because her school can't, then should she even be there? Definitely see if you can get her in anywhere else if your gut instinct tells you that you can't trust the school.