Introduction to KS4 at Highgate Wood School What do we need / what can we expect from students, the school and parents? Timeline Q&A Advice to parents

National Context GCSEs are getting more difficult and the goal posts are changing (new reformed GCSEs start this year for many subjects) This puts stress on students teachers and parents The government want fewer high level grades The only answer to this is to work harder and work smarter

Reformed GCSEs (grades 9-1) English Language English Literature Maths Art and Design Biology Chemistry Physics Double Science Drama Food Preparation and Nutrition Geography History Languages Music Physical education Religious Studies

Reformed GCSEs (grades 9-1) More challenging Grades 9-1 rather than A* – G Grade 4 ‘equivalent’ to a C Grade 5 is a ‘good pass’

Our Results The last four years results across the country have decreased except last year. We understand that the percentage is likely to have fallen this year as both English and Maths have decreased. YearNational 5A*-C EM HWS 5A*-C EM HWS 5A*/A %68%31% %67%29% %64%28% %31%

HWS v National GCSE Trend

Previous Requirements for Sixth Form (best ) Art – Grade B in Art with C in Eng Language Mathematics – A at Maths Biology – B at Biology or A from additional science - B in Maths Media Studies – B at English Language or a C in English with a C+ in Media Studies. BTEC Business Studies as a single, double or triple award – 4 Cs at GCSE including at least a D in English Language. Chemistry - B at Chemistry or A from additional science - B in Maths Music Technology – C at Music with the ability to read music Drama – B in Drama and C in English Language BTEC Sport – C GCSE PE with C in English and an interest in Sport

Results Needed for Sixth Form (best ) Economics – B in Maths and C in English Language Photography – B in Art and C in English Language. For those who did not take GCSE Art a Portfolio can be submitted in July to gain entry English Language – B in English Language Philosophy – B at GCSE English Language with an average GCSE point score of 6 or over English Literature – B in English Literature and Language - plus reading for pleasure Physics - B at Physics or A from additional science - B in Maths Further Maths – A* at GCSE MathsPsychology – B grade at English Language and a B at Maths Government and Politics – B in English Language

Results Needed for Sixth Form (best ) Geography – B in Geography and C in English Language Sociology – B grade at GCSE English Language History – B in History and B in English Language Spanish - B at Spanish – native speakers do not need to have taken GCSE ICT – 4 Cs at GCSE with at least a D in English Language Textiles – B grade at Textiles or a B at Art with a subject interview GCSE Maths for those without a C+GCSE English for those without a C+

Timeline DateEvent WB 10 th OctYear 10 concerns screen WB 21 st NovProgress check WB 6 th MarProgress check WB 27 th MarUnderachievement information 25 th AprilYear 10 parent’s evening WB 19 th JunYear 10 exams start

Timeline DateEvent WB 11 th JulProgress check WB 17 th JulSLT meeting underachievers Dec 2017Year 11 Mocks 1 Jan 2018Year 11 Parent’s evening Mar 2018Year 11 Mocks 2 May 2018GCSEs start

Underachievement Information Currently this is based on a ‘progress score’ based on the best 8 GCSE predictions We aim for all our students to have a progress score of This means that on average 4 GCSEs are a grade above what they would get in an average school If a student has a progress score of less than +0.1 then we raise this with parents and students and might ask for extra work to be done

Homework and Private Study Homework will be set regularly in ‘Show My Homework’, following the homework timetable Homework will be assessed in a variety of ways If your child says they don’t have homework this is likely to be incorrect – ask to see it if they say it is done, contact the teacher if they say it is not set

Homework and Private Study If the homework is not understood this can be a good thing – students must not give up. Ask for help before the due date. All tests are very important. By doing well on them your child will do well in the year 10 exams / GCSE and better in the year 11 mocks and even better still at GCSE.

Who to go to with concerns Any concerns that can’t be addressed by the teacher… Contact the Head of Department if the matter is specific to a subject Contact your child’s tutor if your concern is more general Communication between home and school is vital. It needs to be just right – not too much and not too little.

Excuses and Answers E: I do better if I don’t revise A: That is never true! E: I revised at school / my friend’s place A: Excellent, show me your revision notes. After dinner you can do some more!

Excuses and Answers E: I can learn by reading my text book A: This is never true. Revision must be active and almost always produces paperwork E: Everyone learns differently! A: This is not really true! Whilst there is some truth to it everyone learns by repetition and example and checking their understanding objectively

What are Controlled Assessments and when are they? Very few subjects have controlled assessments now (mostly the non-reformed GCSEs) They are internally assessed and replaced coursework They take place throughout the next year and a half depending on subject and teacher They take place in school and so they do not cause bottlenecks of work

Attendance above 95%... …means that no grades should be reduced due to absence every 90% attendance (one day off per fortnight) will mean every GCSE is one grade lower than it should be 92/93% - on average half of your child’s GCSEs will be a grade lower than they should be

Additional Support in Year 10 In year 10 we use the concerns screen in October and the termly data to support students who are underachieving by: Monitoring & report by tutors House teams putting in place an individualised program Asking students to catch up with extra work if current progress is less than expected and asking parents to check it is done before we do More information and help on the websitewebsite

Additional Support in Year 11 Students who are underachieving (especially in English and Maths) are supported by the ‘Aspire and Achieve’ Programme. Each students: ‘Cloud 9 Club’ Has a staff mentor Has a 6 th form tutor Has a bespoke set of interventions specific to their needs

Final Thoughts Keep your child focussed on their success at school Support us in supporting your child Regularly speak to your child about their education Rewards and sanctions at home to support good grades attendance and conduct really do help