Year 10 Induction Evening Hello and welcome

Raise Your Attendance, - Raise Your Chances! What does “Good attendance” mean?

Do you know what your attendance is? Do you know what it means? ?

This is Simone. She is in Year 7 and has 90% attendance. Is that good? What does this mean?

Simone thinks this is pretty good, so do her parents. Are they right? 90% attendance = ½ day missed every week!! That’s practically part time! MonTueWedThurFri ? Absent half a day every week

Lets looks a little closer….. 1 school year at 90% attendance = 4 whole weeks of lessons MISSED!!! 38 school weeks Sept ? Absent for 4 weeks July

90% attendance over 5 years of secondary school…. = ½ a school year missed! Sept July Y7 Y8 Y9 ½ a year absent from school Y10 Y11

What impact might this have on Simone’s life……? Research suggests that 17 missed school days a year = GCSE grade DROP in achievement. The greater the attendance the greater the achievement.

So 90% is not as good as it first seemed. What can do to increase my attendance? I

Ways to increase attendance: 1.Only have time off school if you really, really, can’t avoid it (e.g. really sick) 2.Come back into school the first day you can after illness 3.Make doctor’s and dentist’s appointments out of school hours 4.Be organised – if you’re on top of your work, you’ll be less likely to feel you can’t cope with school 5.Don’t go on holiday during term time

Attend and Achieve! If you can improve your attendance you will see an improvement in your learning and your achievement Find out what your attendance rate is. Make sure you always try keep it above 95% Remember, if you’re missing school, you’re missing out!

Target grades Target Grades calculations are based on prior attainment data. The target grades we use are based on KS3 SATS, Yellis tests and data analysis from the Fisher Family Trust.

GCSEs - Assessment GCSE’s are assessed in a number of ways: 1: Modular Exams 2: Controlled Assessments 3: Practical exams (where applicable)

GCSEs – Year 10 Key Dates January 2012: Science modular exam March 2012: Maths modular exam June 2012: English, Maths, Science, Geography, History, Languages, Technology, Media and PE modular exams.

Double Science GCSE Year 10 double Science students have their first GCSE science result at the end of Year 10. There are controlled assessments this term which count to your final mark. Speak to your teacher and check the newsletter.

English GCSE The Spoken Language controlled assessment takes place on: Tuesday 27 September A letter from Mrs Madigan was given to students yesterday providing further information. The English department has organised an all day preparatory session during the Enrichment Day tomorrow.

‘Time 4 Us’ session – English & Maths Thursday 6 October – 7-8pm The English and Maths departments are delivering a joint ‘Time 4 Us’ session giving information to parents about these important GCSE subjects. Please make a note of this date.

Study Skills Day Year 10 students will be taking part in a Study Skills day on: Friday 25 November This gives students an opportunity to develop their memory and revision techniques, note taking, time management and mind mapping skills.

Fronter Fronter is the school’s Managed Learning Environment (MLE). It is being used in schools across London, the UK and Europe. Each department and class has their own area to share resources, hand in homework and to get course information.

How we use Fronter

Sam learning – What it is Web-based service Primarily for KS3 and GCSE. Online revision and exam practise Students do and mark their own work Online progress reports for teachers

Sam learning – What it does Improves exam results with target use of only 10hrs (in total) Through………. –Better exam technique –Helping students understand what examiners are looking for –More exam practise and core revision –Additional work outside school hours –Reinforces good teaching practice –Progress tracking and usage statistics

Press to LOGIN

Sam learning – Logging on DoB followed by two initials E.g. Alex Brown (DOB: 1 August 1987) would be AB AB Initially same as User ID. Student should change this AB EN5QE2

Sam learning – Parent’s Role Encourage your child to logon Ask them how long they have spent online Look at the Progress Reports with them Ask them to list any problems which arise - ask their teachers in school

What can you do to help? Check and sign planners on a weekly basis. Ensure homework is being written down. Use the planner as a form of communication with your daughter’s form tutor. Ensure your daughter has a quiet place and protected time to study.

Try to make sure your daughter keeps up to date with her coursework. Monitor use of Sam Learning, BBC Bitesize and other revision programmes. Try to make sure that she eats and sleeps well. Purchase and read the guide ‘What can a Parent do?’. More information to follow.

Students should: Students should: Meet all coursework and homework deadlines; Be at school and on time; Respect their teachers and their peers; Continue to build upon their fantastic results from Key Stage 3.

Parent Guide - GCSEs