1. Year 11 GCSE Success and Post-16 Opportunities Evening

2. Striving for Success Outstanding attendance and punctuality
Setting yourself aspirational goals
Meeting or exceeding your targets
Displaying an excellent attitude to learning
100% effort
Outstanding conduct
Meeting deadlines in class and for homework
Undertaking a structured revision programme
Attending additional lessons
Being well-organised

3. Time left until the start of the formal GCSE season
139 school days
645 lessons
It is imperative that you are in school every single day, working to the best of your ability unless there is a very genuine reason for absence
Students who work hard every day, complete classwork and homework will be more successful than those who do not
Examinations have changed. In order to be successful, you need to be committed every day.

4. Results
GCSE subjects are graded from 9 (the highest) to 1 (the lowest) unless you are studying a BTEC or VCert qualification
A standard pass is grade 4 and a strong pass is grade 5
Dependent on the difficulty of the subjects at Post 16, Colleges will be asking for a minimum of 5 passes at least at grade 5 if the courses are challenging
In other cases, Colleges will be asking for a minimum of 5 passes at least at grade 4 in order to be accepted on a particular course

5. English and Maths
All students need to achieve a grade 4 or better in English and Maths
Achieving at least a grade 4 in both English and Maths is very important for all students.
Many of you will achieve a grade much higher than this
By achieving at least a standard pass, it will mean that you will not have to attend GCSE Maths and/or English lessons at Post 16 level

6. Progress tracking
Staff provide estimated GCSE grades for each student in every subject
For example:
6+ means that a student is on track to achieve a strong grade 6 pass with potential to achieve a grade 7 with continued hard work
6 means that a student is on track to achieve a secure grade 6 pass with continued hard work
6- means that a student has the potential to achieve a grade 6 pass but is not secure in his/her knowledge in all areas. Therefore, this might drop down to a grade 5 without continued hard work

7. Progress tracking
Each estimated grade is based on all the elements of a particular course. For example, the quality of work completed in class, portfolios, homework and examinations/testing
Please contact your child’s form tutor in the first instance at any point of the year should you have a query about your child’s progress

8. Key dates for Year 11
Thursday 15th November 4.30pm – 7.00pm – Parents’ Evening and grade card issued
Monday 10th December - Formal Mock Examination fortnight in all subjects
Mock Interviews in PORSCHE time (previously known as PSHE)
College applications deadline is December 2018
Thursday 28th March 4.30pm – 7.00pm – Parents’ Evening and grade card issued
Thursday 4th April – Year 11 GCSE Success Fair
Monday 13th May – formal GCSE examinations begin

9. Additional support beyond the classroom
Before school and after school support
Designated Year 11 room which is resourced for students to study before, after and during social times at school
Additional intervention for specific students
Revision lessons
Support to plan revision timetables
Advice on ways and strategies to revise effectively
Bespoke support for individual students

10. Who will help you? Form tutors
Year 11 Raising Standards Leader – Ms Hoskins
Careers Co-ordinator – Mrs Murdoch
Senior Leader responsible for Key Stage 4 – Mr Heard
Will Crowhurst – Fernhill’s Careers Advisor
Subject Staff
Senior Leadership Team

11. Post 16 Opportunities
You will be able to attend a number of presentations this evening on rotation:
Apprenticeships (SSE) in the Library
Farnborough Sixth Form in A1
Farnborough College of Technology in A2
Basingstoke College of Technology in A3
Will Crowhurst – Fernhill’s Careers Advisor in Reception

12. Exciting Opportunities Ahead
Please make an informed decision about your future
Keep your options open and do not rule out any pathways at this stage
Continue to seek advice from members of staff
Use the leaflet provided for you this evening to guide you in order to take the next steps in your education
Work hard at all times in order to maximise your chances of success