Year 11 GCSE Success and Post-16 Opportunities Evening

Striving for Success Outstanding attendance and punctuality Setting yourself aspirational goals Meeting or exceeding your targets Displaying an excellent attitude to learning 100% effort Outstanding conduct Meeting deadlines in class and for homework Undertaking a structured revision programme Attending additional lessons Being well-organised

Time left until the start of the formal GCSE season 139 school days 645 lessons It is imperative that you are in school every single day, working to the best of your ability unless there is a very genuine reason for absence Students who work hard every day, complete classwork and homework will be more successful than those who do not Examinations have changed. In order to be successful, you need to be committed every day.

Results GCSE subjects are graded from 9 (the highest) to 1 (the lowest) unless you are studying a BTEC or VCert qualification A standard pass is grade 4 and a strong pass is grade 5 Dependent on the difficulty of the subjects at Post 16, Colleges will be asking for a minimum of 5 passes at least at grade 5 if the courses are challenging In other cases, Colleges will be asking for a minimum of 5 passes at least at grade 4 in order to be accepted on a particular course

English and Maths All students need to achieve a grade 4 or better in English and Maths Achieving at least a grade 4 in both English and Maths is very important for all students. Many of you will achieve a grade much higher than this By achieving at least a standard pass, it will mean that you will not have to attend GCSE Maths and/or English lessons at Post 16 level

Progress tracking Staff provide estimated GCSE grades for each student in every subject For example: 6+ means that a student is on track to achieve a strong grade 6 pass with potential to achieve a grade 7 with continued hard work 6 means that a student is on track to achieve a secure grade 6 pass with continued hard work 6- means that a student has the potential to achieve a grade 6 pass but is not secure in his/her knowledge in all areas. Therefore, this might drop down to a grade 5 without continued hard work

Progress tracking Each estimated grade is based on all the elements of a particular course. For example, the quality of work completed in class, portfolios, homework and examinations/testing Please contact your child’s form tutor in the first instance at any point of the year should you have a query about your child’s progress

Key dates for Year 11 Thursday 15th November 4.30pm – 7.00pm – Parents’ Evening and grade card issued Monday 10th December - Formal Mock Examination fortnight in all subjects Mock Interviews in PORSCHE time (previously known as PSHE) College applications deadline is December 2018 Thursday 28th March 4.30pm – 7.00pm – Parents’ Evening and grade card issued Thursday 4th April – Year 11 GCSE Success Fair Monday 13th May – formal GCSE examinations begin

Additional support beyond the classroom Before school and after school support Designated Year 11 room which is resourced for students to study before, after and during social times at school Additional intervention for specific students Revision lessons Support to plan revision timetables Advice on ways and strategies to revise effectively Bespoke support for individual students

Who will help you? Form tutors Year 11 Raising Standards Leader – Ms Hoskins Careers Co-ordinator – Mrs Murdoch Senior Leader responsible for Key Stage 4 – Mr Heard Will Crowhurst – Fernhill’s Careers Advisor Subject Staff Senior Leadership Team

Post 16 Opportunities You will be able to attend a number of presentations this evening on rotation: Apprenticeships (SSE) in the Library Farnborough Sixth Form in A1 Farnborough College of Technology in A2 Basingstoke College of Technology in A3 Will Crowhurst – Fernhill’s Careers Advisor in Reception

Exciting Opportunities Ahead Please make an informed decision about your future Keep your options open and do not rule out any pathways at this stage Continue to seek advice from members of staff Use the leaflet provided for you this evening to guide you in order to take the next steps in your education Work hard at all times in order to maximise your chances of success