Grosvenor Grammar School Year Thirteen Parent Information Evening Monday 17th September 2018 Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Programme A Level Examinations Features of Senior School Careers Pastoral Care Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

A Level Examinations 3/4 AS Levels in Year 13 3 A Levels for all in Year 14 Timetable – 8 periods per subject 2 periods Games 1 period Careers 1 period General Studies 9 periods Independent Study Preparation for Higher Education Careers – to help pupils choose pathways best suited to them beyond Grosvenor. General Studies – many visiting universities, providing important information regarding tertiary level education. Independent Study – to facilitate pupils in acquiring the skills required to go the extra mile, in order to success in their examinations, but also to help prepare them for the expectations of university. Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Enrichment Programme Pupils will study either 3 or 4 subjects at AS Level Some pupils will study 3 subjects at AS Level and follow the Year 13 Enrichment Programme Changed from a compulsory four subjects 3 / 4 years ago – felt that some pupils would benefit from opportunity to narrow their focus and study just three subjects – thus providing them with more independent study time in which to deepen their understanding and get on top of the requirements of their chosen subjects.

Study Senior School - 15 hours per week at home Independent Learning Balance Work, study, extra-curricular, outside interests 15 hours – based on years of experience of pupils sitting A Levels in the School. Key difference from GCSE level where it may be more possible to ‘cram’ at the last minute. Important message from the school – keep on top of your studies from the word go: much more difficult to catch up in Senior School if you fall behind. Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Examinations No January Modules Mocks – December (3rd – 7th) Modules – June ONLY (results in August) Re-sits – June of Year 14 (£15 approx. per module) Mocks - change in date following consultation with Assessment and Reporting Group: will mean no expectation from the school to revise over holidays, and for more teaching to be accomplished during the long month of January. Modules – change from in the past when they also were offered in January. Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Exam Structure Year 13 - AS Level Year 14 – A2 Level 2 modules or 3 modules Worth 40% of full A Level (160 UMS) Accumulate points towards final grade. Year 14 – A2 Level Worth 60% of full A Level (240 UMS) Final grade awarded. Year Thirteen – about accumulating as many UMS points as possible – Year Thirteen used to be more relaxed, with all assessment taking place at the end of Year Fourteen, but now pupils must aim to ‘set themselves up’ as best as possible during Year Thirteen, to help achieve as well as they can come the publication of A2 results. Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Criteria for Entry into Year 14 At least 3 Grade Ds OR a minimum of 32 points in GCE AS subjects only: A = 20 B = 16 C = 12 D = 10 E = 6.   Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Criteria for Entry into Year 14 2) satisfy the Principal on attitude and behaviour. * The School will consider 2 C grades and 1 E grade as an equivalent to 3 D grades. * Attendance  Attendance – of huge importance: whole-school target is 95% and pupils in Senior School must aim to achieve this figure also. Many years of experience provide evidence that pupils will find it extremely difficult, and virtually impossible, to stay on top of their studies if they have a high absence rate. Vicious circle – pupils may stay off to get caught up but then they never truly recover. It is also asked that absence for appointments etc. is kept to a minimum as %age attendance rates can sometimes mask actual attendance in class, which can often be lower due to various reasons. Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Features of Senior School First Days of Term Senior School Contract Senior School Privileges Sign outs

Independent Study To develop your knowledge and understanding of your chosen subjects through: research wider Reading completing past paper questions completion of project work NOT for completion of homework

Wider, whole-school experience General Studies Extra-curricular activities Voluntary Service, Habitat for Humanity Careers Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Senior School – Common Pitfalls Attendance Attitude Appreciation Use of Independent study time Time Management Organisation Part-time jobs Appreciation – not appreciating how difficult A Levels are. Part time jobs – working hours outside of school should be kept to a minimum.

Don’t just deliver – over deliver! “Do more than is required. What is the distance between someone who achieves their goals consistently and those who spend their lives and careers merely following? The extra mile” Sir Alan Sugar “There are no traffic jams along the extra mile” Oscar Wilde

Careers Action planning Work Shadowing – Ms Seaton UCAS preparation - personal statement - course selection Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Pastoral Care Attendance Managing Work Communication between teachers, pupils and parents Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Pastoral Care - Support Subject teachers Form Tutors Head of Year / Head of Senior School School Counselling – Mrs Caulfield ‘New Life’ Counselling Relationships – Respect - Responsibility

Timeline Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Relationships – Respect - Responsibility Mon 8th and Tues 9th October: LearnSpark study sessions 25th October; Report Card issued November: Parent Consultation Mon 3rd – Fri 7th December: Mock Examinations Term 2 January: Mock reports posted February: subject choice Term 3 early May – Study Leave May/June - AS Modules Mon 10th June – return from study leave August – AS results 3 days work experience Relationships – Respect - Responsibility