Unitised GCSEs & Controlled Assessments

Which subjects and when? From September 2009, all subjects except: English, Maths, ICT – from September 2010 Science – from September 2011

What does it mean? Subjects now all come as units or modules Usually 3 or 4 modules make a full course (2 for short course, 8 for double award) One module is controlled assessment (minimum, except Maths)

Exams and Retakes Modules can be taken at any exam season that they are available Modules can be retaken once only Subjects can be treated as linear – i.e. all modules taken at the end of the course 40% of total marks (minimum) must be taken in the final assessment when cash-in is applied

Hazards! It is possible to use up all takes and retakes before the final season – and then never get a grade for that GCSE Retakes of controlled assessment have to fit the current tasks for that season as tasks have a limited “shelf life”

How to create a disaster! Departments enter students for: Units 1 & 2 in January year 10 Unit 3 and retake unit 1 in June year 10 Unit 2 retake and unit 3 retake in January year 11 Leaving unit 4 (25%) for June year 11 This is not enough and nothing can be done ever!

Informing your Exams Officer Do NOT expect your EO to know all the codes and combinations Make sure you give your EO the correct codes (including the cash-in code) in good time for entries to be made Keep departmental records of entries and retakes so that the retake and 40% rules are not infringed

Critical numbers For example AQA Geography A full course has Unit H37.5% Unit H37.5% Unit %(controlled assessment) Certification code 4032 Edexcel History A full course has Unit 15HA0125% Unit 25HA0225% Unit 35HA0325% Unit 45HA0425% Cash-in code 2HA01

Controlled Assessment 1 Awarding Bodies set the tasks Department staff have responsibility for selecting and operating the correct tasks These tasks have a limited life in some cases Departments must obtain tasks from Awarding Bodies – this could be done through the Exams Officer

Controlled Assessment 2 These tasks will require supervision by teaching staff This supervision may be of low, medium or high order Subject staff need to know which level of supervision applies to each part of the controlled assessment task

Low-level (limited) supervision Some work can be completed without supervision, outside the classroom Students have access to resources Students can work together Students can receive guidance from teachers

Medium (informal) Supervision Students do not have to be directly supervised at all times but there must be adequate supervision to ensure work can be authenticated Students have access to resources Students can work together Students can receive limited teacher guidance Teachers must ensure work is students’ own, without plagiarism

High-level (formal) Supervision Students must be in direct sight of supervisor at all times Use of resources is tightly prescribed Students must complete all work independently Students must not communicate with each other No assistance can be given to students

Teachers’ Responsibilities Controlled assessments are clearly stated to be work in class supervised by teachers (JCQ) It is also envisaged that they will be undertaken in normal teaching lessons as far as possible Teachers must exercise supervision so that authentication forms can be signed Teachers should keep a record of sessions, noting any events that may affect performance

Controlled Assessments Security Awarding Bodies will define when students can be informed of titles/tasks Controlled assessments are supervised activities done in class Posters and other aids should be removed or covered For high-level supervision, resources are closely controlled Students work should be collected at the end of each session

Security (cont.) Student work should be held securely between sessions and after completion by departments A locked steel filing cabinet in the department area is sufficient security Student work should be retained until after the issue of certificates If work is held on IT systems a secure area inaccessible to students except during assessment must be developed

Access Arrangements Candidates allowed access arrangements in examinations should be entitled to these in controlled assessments, especially when these assessments have specific time limits Candidates absent for a session should be allowed catch-up time or the opportunity to sit a comparable assessment. This may mean lunch-time or after-school sessions for both these categories

Calendars and Policies It is advisable that controlled assessments are spread through the two years of KS4 SLT need to consult HoDs to create a calendar of assessments Other school activities need to be considered The school must have a policy on controlled assessments in place by September 2010 Risk assessment is a useful exercise for controlled assessments

Discussion Experiences Teacher Participation IT use Timetabling Questions