1. Welcome to our Year 10 target setting evening
Mr P McMenamin
Deputy Headteacher
November 2017

2. What we will cover this evening?
Distribution of your daughter’s progress report and attendance data
Explanation of progress report and attendance data
Important reminders from English, Maths and Science
Key dates in the Year 10 calendar
Next steps and the sixth form
Opportunity to set targets and discuss progress with staff

3. What does the progress report contain?
A current grade: the grade your daughter is currently working at
GCSE grades go from 9-1
A predicted grade : the grade teachers feel your daughter will achieve in 2019 based on her current rate of progress
A challenging target grade (the minimum grade we feel she should aim to achieve)
% attendance to date
We will also send you a progress report if you daughter is accessing GCSE classes outside the school day
Where a current grade is lower than the target grade, please remember that subjects assess different skills and knowledge at each assessment point so grades can fluctuate. It is also still early in the GCSE course
Where the predicted grade is lower than the target grade, support will be ongoing in each subject area

4. Changes to the GCSE grading system
GCSE exams have been graded from A*-U since their introduction in 1988
GCSE reforms mean all GCSE examinations will be graded from This process started in summer 2017 with English and Maths only
All GCSE examinations sat in 2019 will be graded from 9-1

5. New GCSE grade
Comparative grade 9 A* 8
A*/A 7 A 6 B 5
B/C 4 C 3
D/E 2
E/F 1 G

6. Why does this report matter?
An important milestone towards summer exams
They tell us as teachers where your strengths are and what you need to do to improve
We are now well into the first year of GCSE studies so these grades will help to focus minds

7. Why do your English and Maths results matter?
Students who get good GCSE passes in both English and Maths, along with at least their other GCSE qualifications will have a wider range of Post-16 options
Students who get good GCSE passes in both English and Maths, along with at their other GCSE qualifications earn a higher average salary over the course of their working life than those who don’t

8. English update
Ms Whitehead, Curriculum leader for English

9. Two GCSEs
English Language GCSE
English Literature GCSE

10. English Language
100% exam 2 exams – No tiers of entry Component 1: Reading – Five reading questions on an extract from a 20th Century prose text. Creative prose writing – 1 task from a choice of four titles. 1 hour 45 minutes. Component 2: Reading – Six reading questions on extracts from 19th and 21st century non-fiction texts. Two compulsory Transactional/Persuasive writing tasks. Spoken Language assessment – 1 task. Does NOT form part of final grade.

11. English Literature Component 1: 2 hours. Closed book.
Shakespeare. One extract and one essay question on a Shakespeare text.
Poetry from 1789 – present. Two questions based on poems from the WJEC/Eduqas Poetry Anthology.
Component 2: 2 ½ hours. Closed book
Post 1914 Prose/Drama – source based essay question.
19th Century prose – source based essay question.
Unseen poetry – response

12. Implications of 100% exam Knowledge of set texts. Importance of VSSPS.
Regular opportunities for exam practice, both in the classroom and more formal setting.
New grading system 9-1 – grade 9 not criteria based.
Opportunity to buy own copies of set texts and annotate.

13. GCSE MATHS Tiers Foundation; Grades 1-5 Higher; Grades 4-9
Three exam papers which are 1hr 30mins each
Paper 1- Non calculator
Paper 2- Calculator
Paper 3- Calculator

14. GCSE MATHS
The new GCSE is a much larger, more ‘challenging’ GCSE in Maths.
There is more emphasis on solving problems that require multi-step solutions. There will be new topics at both tiers.
In addition, students will be expected to learn key mathematical formulae by heart. For example;

15. Sciences update Mrs Hayward, Curriculum leader for Sciences.
Mr. McBurney, HoD Biology.
Mr. Coupe, HoD Chemistry.
Miss Yates. HoD Physics.

16. Three Pathways in GCSE Sciences
Separate Sciences in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (worth 3 GCSEs).
10Sc1/ Currently completing first half of the B/C/P courses.
- Completing the Required Practicals.
- Progress Test 1 October 2017.
- Progress Test 2 February 2018.
- Decisions on final entry for Separate Sciences Re-setting takes place.
- March 8th 2018 – Parent’s Evening.
- Progress Test 3 May 2018.
Final grades are determined by performance in external examinations in summer 2019.
Biology = TWO papers each 1 hour and 45 minutes
Chemistry = TWO papers each 1 hour and 45 minutes
Physics = TWO papers each 1 hour and 45 minutes
No coursework
Practical work is assessed through questions on the external examinations.

17. Three Pathways in GCSE Sciences
Combined Science (worth 2 GCSEs) Grades 9,9 to grades 4,4 (Higher)
Grades 5,5 to grades 1,1 (Foundation)
10Sc3/4/5 - Currently completing first half of the B/C/P courses.
- Completing the Required Practicals.
- Progress Test 1 October 2017.
- Progress Test 2 February 2018.
- Decisions on Tier of entry Higher/Foundation Re-setting takes place.
- March 8th 2018 – Parent’s Evening.
- Progress Test 3 May 2018.
Final grades are determined by performance in external examinations in summer 2019.
Biology = TWO papers each 1 hour and 15 minutes
Chemistry = TWO papers each 1 hour and 15 minutes
Physics = TWO papers each 1 hour and 15 minutes
No coursework
Practical work is assessed through questions on the external examinations.

18. Three Pathways in GCSE Sciences
3. Entry Level Science. 10Sc6 pupils - Currently completing first half of the B/C/P courses. - Progress Test 1 October Competing ELC Assessment tests and Teacher Directed Activities. - Work covered matches the GCSE Combined Science (Foundation). - Progress Test 2 February March 8th 2018 – Parent’s Evening. - Progress Test 3 May 2018.

19. GCSE Sciences Support
Pupils have access to Kerboodle – gives access to digital version of the text used in class and support materials for the course. Link to Kerboodle GCSE Sciences
Revision Guides and Workbooks (CGP) available in school:
£5.50 each for Combined Science.
£2.75 each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Drop in revision sessions operating B/C/P.
Revision materials available from individual staff.
Past papers and mark schemes available from AQA website.
On-line revision materials My-gcsescience.com available to purchase from school.
Please collect a letter from Mrs. Hayward if you would like to purchase Revision Guides or access to My-gcsescience.com at a reduced price.

20. Key dates Work experience 15th-26th January 2018
Y10 parents evening Wednesday 8th March 2018 (4pm-6pm)
Year 10 exams begin 3rd May 2018
Employability interviews Summer term 2018

21. Holidays (use time wisely)
Christmas: Friday 22nd December – Monday 8th January 2018
February half-term: Mon 12th February –Friday 16th February 2018
Easter break: Monday 26th March– Friday 6th April 2018
May half-term: Monday 28th May – Friday 1st June 2018

22. Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre

23. Post-16 options

24. Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre
Why Bellerive?
Strong pass rate at A level
Excellent record for successful transition to Further and Higher Education
Well-qualified and committed teachers
Excellent facilities and resources
Excellent care, guidance and support
Enrichment opportunities: more than just the grades!
Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre

25. Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre
Curriculum Offer
A full range of a level subjects including some
new subjects that you will not have studied before ………..
Media studies
Psychology
Government and Politics
Health and Social Care
Sociology
Performing Arts
A wide variety courses on offer across the Partnership
Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre

26. Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre
Entry Requirements
If you achieve 5+ GCSEs at 5-9, you can take A Levels in Year 12.
Other pathways are in place.
In addition, each subject has specific entry requirements.
Some subjects, for example, require a B at GCSE
Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre

27. Wider Opportunities and enrichment
Leadership Opportunities
World Challenge
Volunteering
University visits
Sixth Form Council
Trips
Duke of Edinburgh
Mock United Nations
Oxbridge Preparation Programme
Life boat literacy
Paired reading
Prefects
Trips – Disneyland Paris
London
Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre

33. What can parents do to help with GCSE studies in general?
Encourage your daughter to attend extra support classes
Ensure there is a suitable study location at home
Minimise her time on social networking and the internet
Make sure you have a copy of the homework timetable displayed at home
Continue to support us in making sure your daughter attends school and is punctual
Contact us with any concerns

34. Show My Homework
All students and parents have access to ‘Show My Homework’
This can be accessed via the link on the school website
Show My Homework allows teachers to upload homework tasks and resources. These can be seen by parents and students
Log-in details have been sent home via your daughter

35. What happens next?
Please collect a parent information booklet, a revision booklet and a copy of the online support document
This PowerPoint will be available on the school website (
Please contact the relevant subject leader if you have any concerns or speak to us this evening
Curriculum leaders can be contacted by telephone at school
Many thanks for taking the time to attend this evening
We will see you again on Wednesday 8th March 2018 for Y10 parents evening