Monday 15 th October 2012

1. What to expect from GCSEs – Miss Nightingale (DH) 2. Interim Target Grades –Miss Dukes (YLC) 3. How can you help your daughter – Miss Wall (AHT) 4. How can you help your daughter in English – Mr Taylor 5. How can you help your daughter in Maths – Mr Lewis 6. How can you help your daughter in Science – Miss Hanlon Feedback on the evening

Exams aren’t what they used to be! TRUE…  Students are now on different pathways  All have to sit some exams  All exams will take place at the end of the course (generally Y11)  There is no longer coursework – it is now called Controlled Conditions  All will start with skills based units BEFORE they start the GCSE syllabus (exp. Media)

 Different GCSE’s have different amounts of controlled assessment that count towards the final grade. This ranges from 0%-60%.  Controlled assessments can last anything between 1 hour and 30 hours.  Each subject has its own rules for controlled assessment regarding what materials can be used, whether work can be completed at home, if notes can be used etc.

 Preparation time will be given when students can get assistance from staff  When the final piece is started they have a set amount of time and it has to be completed in ‘exam style’ conditions  Students can NOT re-do their controlled assessment

 These subjects used to be assessed with 100% on “coursework”.  THIS HAS changed – there will now be a small examined element  All units must be completed for pupils to gain the qualification.  Any day of school missed could jeopardise completion. Attendance is vital.

Continual Assessment Continual Effort 98+ % attendance Staff are a resource Lines of Communication Use of e-resources

Targets are set for each GCSE subject NOT about how hard they work Based on a students KS2 SATs results (mark not just level)

 At Swakeleys School for Girls we set Aspirational Targets  This is one higher than we would expect you to get  So if you are expected to get an A grade we set a target of an A* By setting higher targets pupils work even harder and do even better! Every year our results have improved… 2009 – 84%, 2010 – 91%, 2011 – 97%, 2012 – 99% 5A*C grades 2009 – 52%, 2010 – 68%, 2011 – 63%, 2012 – 78% 5A*C grades incl E&M

An end of Year target (rather than an end of KS target) Year 9s targets are INTERIM Year 9s targets are what we expect them to attain at the end of Y9 (NOT for their GCSE result)

 Teachers enter grades to show how your daughter is doing  These will be sent home on:- 10 th October (Effort and Hwk only) 12 th December 20 th March 7 th July (Report)

Students will be identified as Red, Amber or Green against their Interim Grade

Students look at their grades and identify areas to improve Those struggling will have the opportunity to talk with their FT Parents will be invited in for those who need extra support

See your Link Book page 21 Centre NumberUB10SS UserIDDate of birth followed by your initials ie: DJ (Diane Jones born 1 st August 1985) PasswordSame as your user ID, although you should then change it

Add information to get online

1. Select the level (GCSE for Years 9, 10 &11) 2. Then select which subject you wish to work on

Most students do 21 st Century Science

Choose a topic to revise or a test paper to check your knowledge and understanding

3. Tells you how long you have left (it counts down) 2. Room to type in your answer 1. An idea of how long your answer should be 4. Opportunity to get feedback or to print the page and bring into school

1. All subjects can be found on Sam Learning. 2. All give feedback on how you are doing 3. There are different activities such as drag and drop

Generally it tells how you have done overall and gives advice on how to improve further

All pupils take exams in both English Language and English Literature – worth 2 GCSEs Most pupils will take their final exams in A few pupils may take their English language GCSE early in 2014 ( according to their ability).

All students will begin preparation for their English language GCSE by:  Completing mock coursework assignments in exam conditions.  Sitting an exam that mimics their actual GCSE English Language Paper 1.  Developing and extending their Speaking and Listening skills to ensure they achieve well in Year 10.

 Begin the actual GCSE course.  Work on coursework and speaking and listening tasks.

Students will complete four controlled conditions pieces of coursework:  Creative writing  Media  The Spoken word analysis  Extended Reading task  Begin preparation for the reading and writing exam.  Complete at least one speaking and listening Task.

Encourage your daughter to read the newspaper at least 3 times a week – and talk with her about what she has read.

 Try to ensure your daughter is reading a book for at least minutes per day – ask her regularly what she is reading

 Try and encourage her to reread and correct her own work when she has written a piece of homework – recognising her own mistakes is the first step to rectifying them!

 English is all about WORDS and COMMUNICATION...  Talk to your daughter in a positive way about her English texts and assignments – she will benefit from the conversation and also, talking helps us process meaning, so she will feel more supported and encouraged.

Time Plus Lots of effort in the right direction effort

TALK TO EACH OTHER – success can be achieved through communication. Learning together will help your daughter’s confidence in Maths PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE - research shows that practicing something around 7 times will ensure that it is memorised successfully AVOID SAYING - "I was never good at maths" or "I never liked maths- use positive language What else can I do ?

Grade descriptors.. Make the grade tests...

Mathswatch cd as good as having a maths teacher at home (…nearly !!!)

Pathway through KS4 Science We currently offer 4 routes through KS4 Science 1.Triple Science (worth 3 GCSE’s) 2.Additional Science (2 GCSE’s) Academic 3.Applied Science (2 GCSE’s) 4.BTEC Level 2 Applied Science (2 GCSE’s) AND Entry Level BTEC Vocational

In Year 9… All students will begin their first Science GCSE. 3 modules of Biology, 3 modules of Chemistry 3 modules of Physics. Based on internal assessments, students will be set for Year 10. NO EXTERNAL examinations.

In Year 10… Students will take one of 4 routes: Triple Science Additional Science Applied Science BTEC Science IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ONCE STUDENTS HAVE STARTED THEIR YEAR 10 COURSES THEY CANNOT TRANSFER. Students will continue with their course in year 11.

Triple Science Students will be selected for the Triple Science course if: 1.They achieve A*, A, and B grades in ALL Year 9 internal assessments. AND 2. They have their teachers recommendation to the course.

Additional Science Students will be selected for the Additional Science course if: 1. They have achieved a range of A, B, or C grades in their Year 9 internal assessments. AND 2. They have their teachers recommendation to the course.

Applied Science Students will be selected for the Applied Science course if: 1. They have achieved a range of C or D grades in their Year 9 internal assessments. AND 2. They have their teachers recommendation to the course.

How can you help your daughter raise her achievement in science? Literacy is now a major factor in the science curriculum. Students are examined on their quality of literacy (6 mark questions) On the Science Fronter page there are a number of practise questions that parents could discuss and answer with their daughter (the answers are there to help you!!!!). We have found that having the discussion can make a difference to their written communication!

Please take a few minute to give us feedback on tonight’s event Please write points you felt went Well on a post-it and put them on the WWW board Any comments for improvement on a separate post-it to go on the EBI (even better if board)