Transcript Slide 1

Welcome & introduction – Miss Mason, Deputy Principal
Supporting your teenager through KS4 – Miss Prifti, Head of Year
Success in Maths – Mrs Pearce, Head of Maths
Success in English – Mr Miller, Acting Head of English
Success in Science – Mr Hawker, Head of Science
Success in MFL – Mrs Allen, Head of Modern Foreign Languages
Learning from Experience – Bradley Turpin & Megan West, Year 12
Students
Getting the approach right!
A tough act to follow!
 77% 5+ A*-C grades
 60% 5+ A*-C grades including English and
Mathematics
 The top 10 performers achieved 102 A* & A
grades between them!
So how is KS4 different?
 Option subjects
 Some off site learning
 Target setting & tracking
 Coursework and Controlled Assessments
 Exams!
Your involvement is key!
...but what can I do?
• conversations
• questions
• listening
• ideas
• understanding
Be involved!
Conversation Starters
“I’d like to know more about your
school/college project, what have you
been asked to do?”
“Parents’ evening is coming up. What
could I ask your teachers about to help
with your studies?”
Understanding
Conversation Starters
“Have you got much homework tonight? Tell me
about it. Let’s see if there’s anything I might be
able to help you with.”
“You did really well with that coursework/test
recently – let’s have a look at what’s coming up
and have a think about what we can work
on together next.”
Lack of confidence
Conversation Starters
“That looks interesting, what are you doing?”
“You look like you might be a bit stuck; let’s see
if we can sort this out together.”
“What’s new or different about this project? Tell
me about how you’re going to tackle that.”
Time
Conversation Starters
“I know you’ve got exams coming up. Should we sit
down and look at what you’ve got to do and try to come
up with a bit of a plan?”
“Why don’t we talk about your new project on the way
into town?”
Happy at School
Conversation Starters
“OK, I know you want to go out and that’s fine, but let’s
agree when you are going to do your coursework first.”
“I think you’re doing really well at school/college and I’m
really proud of you. Let’s do something nice together ;
what would you like to do…?”
Some favourite excuses...
 My work is on the computer at school....
 I’m doing that work with a friend and she has got the




book....
We didn’t get any homework because we had a
supply teacher today...
It doesn’t have to be in for ages...
I need to go to the library...
Mr X doesn’t give homework...
And a strategy for dealing
with them...
 Keep track of the ‘excuses’ (they won’t be able to!)
 Agree or suggest a solution
 Follow up without fail
 Be prepared to investigate the excuse
 Remember the aim is to get the work done, not win
the battle.
Success in Maths
Mrs Pearce (Head of Department)
 AQA Linear Mathematics (syllabus 4365)
 Two exams taken at the end of the course.
 Includes many functional elements of mathematics.
 Internal assessment throughout the course.
Success in Maths
Number
Algebra
GCSE
Maths
Geometry
and
Measures
Functional
Maths
Statistics
and
Probability
Success in Maths
Paper 1– Non-calculator
40% of the course (1 hour 30 max)
Paper 2 – Calculator
60% of the course (2 hours max)
Success in Maths
How can I help?
Check homework is completed
Encourage ‘little and often’ revision
Reinforce the importance of internal assessment
Communicate with us any concerns
Success in Maths
Equipment!
of the assessment is with a
calculator. It is essential that
students are well aquainted
with the efficient use of their
own calculator!
Success in English
Mr Miller (Acting Head of Department)
English:
 Unit 1 Examination 40%
 Unit 2 Speaking and Listening 20%
 Unit 3 Controlled Assessment 40%
Controlled Assessment:
 Five Assignments – two writing and three reading
tasks.
 Complete in Year 10.
English Language:
• Unit 1 Examination 40%
• Unit 2 Speaking and Listening 20%
• Unit 3 Controlled Assessment 40%
Controlled Assessment:
Four Assignments in total:
1. Extended Reading (novel)
2. Two Creative Writing tasks
3. Spoken Language Study
Success in Science
Mr Hawker (Head of Department)
 There are three routes to GCSE in Science
 BTEC in Applied Science
 Core and Additional Science
 Triple Science
BTEC in Applied Science
 BTEC in Applied Science is a 2 year course
resulting in a qualification that is the equivalent of 2
GCSEs.
 There are two units, each with a externally assessed
exam.
 Student performance is judged primarily by
assessment of coursework.
 This course is ideal for students who do not do well
in examinations and do not wish to follow an
academic path in Science Post 16.
Core and Additional Science
 This is the route chosen by most of our students.
 Core Science is taught and examined in Y10.
 Additional Science is taught and examined in Y11.
Core Science
 There are four parts to Core Science.
 Three exams, each worth 25% in Biology, Chemistry
and Physics. All sat in May/June in Y10 (2013).
 The Coursework worth 25% of the final grade. Done
in the lab during the year.
 CORE SCIENCE FINISHES IN Y10.
Additional Science
 There are four parts to Additional Science.
 Three exams, in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. All
sat in May in Y11 (2014).
 The Coursework worth 25% of the final grade. Done
in the lab during the year.
 Additional Science begins as soon as the Core
Science exams end in Y10.
Triple Science
 Triple Science consists of 3 separate GCSEs.
 They are Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
 All the exams will be at the end of Y11.
 3 exams for each subject, each worth 25%- So 9
exams in May/June 2014
 The Coursework worth 25% of the final grade. Done
in the lab during the year.
Success in MFL
The course is the AQA Full Course GCSE:
• Unit 1 – Listening 20%
Foundation (C-G = 30 min) or Higher (A* - C = 45 mins)
• Unit 2 – Reading 20%
Foundation (C-G = 30 min) or Higher (A* - C = 50 mins)
• Unit 3 –Speaking 30%
Best of 2 tasks submitted – internally assessed,
externally moderated
• Unit 4 – Writing 30%
Best of 2 tasks submitted – externally assessed
Success in MFL
Mrs Allen (Head of Department)
At the end of Year 9, students completed one GCSE
controlled writing assessment. This could count!
•How you can help:
Ensure time is dedicated to learning at home and
preparing well for controlled assessments - Test &
encourage them!
Support us in ensuring homework is completed
Encourage students to attend revision sessions in
Yr11 prior to listening & reading exams
The Student Point of View
Bradley Turpin & Megan West – Year 12
Been there, seen it, done it, got the T-Shirt
(& our GCSEs!)
Key Dates
 This week – YELLIS tests
 Interim Assessments – performance grades captured & made available to parents
online to allow real-time measure of progress. Snap shots taken:

Mid November

Mid January

Mid March

Mid June
 Monday 12th – 16th November - French & German Controlled Writing Assessment
 Thursday 6th (pm) & Friday 7th (all day) December – Academic Mentoring Event
 18th March - 22nd March – Y10 Speaking Controlled Assessment for MFL
 Wednesday 27th March – Y10 Parent’s Evening
 Monday 15th – Friday 19th July – Work Experience (off-site) or Ready for Work
programme (in-school)