1. The Chalfonts Community College Making the Grade Evening
Welcome to
The Chalfonts Community College
Making the Grade Evening
Russell

2. Introduction Sinead McGinty Martyn Way Gemma Whitehead
SLT Leader for KS4
Martyn Way
Head of Sixth Form
Gemma Whitehead
Year Leader for Year 11
Catherine Caccaviello
Subject Leader for English
Ola Osibona
Subject Leader for Maths
Jane Marfleet
Faculty Leader for Science
Ben Ansell – Physics
Miles Innes – Chemistry
Shaan Puni - Biology

3. Miss Gemma Whitehead Year Leader for Year 11
Making the Grade
Miss Gemma Whitehead
Year Leader for Year 11
26/01/2020

4. Making The Grade
Our badge symbolises the working relationship between the school and parents in order to ‘raise’ the student to success and to ‘support’ their progress.
Working together will ensure we get the best for our young people.

5. The Aims of this Evening:
Overall advice and tips on revision for core subjects.
To be aware of the key staff who will offer help and support.
An opportunity to ask question.
Curriculum information and strategies from all subjects are available in a booklet to accompany this evening.

6. Support from the School
Making the Grade Evening
Year 11 Exam Preparation Day
Feedback from class assessments and mock examinations – use this to identify strengths and key areas for revision
Revision Sessions – a timetable will be published in the New Year to show when subjects are running revision.
Curriculum documents on school website
Year 11 Parents’ Evening

7. Finding Curriculum Information

8. Academic
Curriculum
Key Stage 4
Year 11

9. Helpful Tips for Parents
1. Planning their revision
Exam Specifications
These documents are available on the appropriate exam board website and they list all the aspects of that subject that could be examined.
The exam boards also publish specimen papers, past papers and mark sheets for practise.
Revision guides
List of appropriate revision guides by subject - will be regularly updated on the website and are available via the school shop.
Create a revision timetable
40-60 minutes per night
…in addition to homework
…with breaks in-between

10. Helpful Tips for Parents
2. Strategies to support revision
Go through their books
Drawing pictures, diagrams and mind-maps
Practise writing exam answers
Using memory aids such as flash cards and mnemonics
Use model answers
3. Prior to the exam
Have a good nights sleep before
Eat breakfast
Date and time of the exam
How long the exam lasts
Which questions need to be answered

11. Helpful Tips for Parents
4. In the exam
Look at the paper thoroughly before starting
Read the questions carefully and circle key words
Manage time effectively
When finished, look back through their answers
Key points from the exam boards:
Conduct of examinations
Mobile phones / smart watches / tablets not allowed in the exam. The presence of these will result in marks for that session being rescinded

12. Important Dates Wednesday 13th November – Employability Skills Day
Thursday 14th November – 6th Form Open Evening (6-9pm)
Friday 22nd November – Year 11 Exam Preparation Day
Monday 2nd - Wednesday 18th December – Mock Exams
Monday 20th January – Mock Results
Thursday 23rd January – Parents Evening
11th May – 26th June Summer examination season
Friday 22nd May – Last full day at school
Thursday 20th August – Results Day

13. Support Mechanisms Problems with entries – Exams Officer, Mrs Pearson
Struggling with content – subject teacher in the first instance
Formal intervention / support sessions will start after half term in some subject s and will increase into the new year.
Feeling that stress is taking over - it is important to TALK. Students and parents can contact:
Form Tutor
Pastoral Support: Mrs Byrne
Head of Year: Miss Whitehead
Leader of Key Stage 4: Mrs McGinty
Appropriate support will be put in place which can include mentoring, stress management – this has started for some

14. The greater the attendance – the greater the achievement
Research shows that 17 missed school days a year
= GCSE grade drop in achievement ( DfE )
The greater the attendance – the greater the achievement

15. Mr Martyn Way Leader of Sixth Form
Making the Grade
Mr Martyn Way
Leader of Sixth Form
26/01/2020

16. Pathway to the Sixth Form – Next Steps!
Attend 6th Form Open Evening – Thurs Nov 14th
Revise properly for your mocks in December
Complete a Taster Day form in December
Attend the Taster Day on February 14th
Prepare for a progression interview in Feb/March
We aim to issue you with a conditional offer (based on your predicted grades) before Easter
Year 12 Enrolment day – Aug 21st
Keep working hard towards your GCSE’s
Financial support – Bursaries (x2)
26/01/2020

17. Mrs Catherine Caccaviello Subject Leader for English
Making the Grade
Mrs Catherine Caccaviello
Subject Leader for English
26/01/2020

18. What to Expect The English GCSE has changed significantly since 2015:
100% examination – no controlled assessment
Four exams across Language and Literature
Closed book exams

19. How can you help your child succeed?

20. Reading
Reading for pleasure at the age of 15 is a strong factor in determining future social mobility. Indeed, it has been revealed as the most important indicator of the future success of the child. This was the startling finding of research carried out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on education and reading. It highlights why getting teenagers to read for pleasure is more than a sepia-tinted ambition for frustrated parents. It is a fundamental social issue. Daily Telegraph

21. AQA English Language: Paper One

22. AQA English Language: Paper One
Reading Section
List (4 Marks)
Analyse Language (8 Marks)
Analyse Structure (8 Marks)
Evaluate (20 Marks)
Writing Section
5. Descriptive / Narrative writing (40 Marks)

23. AQA English Language: Paper Two

24. AQA English Language: Paper Two
Reading Section
True or false (4 Marks)
Summarise two texts (8 Marks)
Analyse language (12 Marks)
Compare (20 Marks)
Writing Section
5. Non-fiction writing (40 Marks)

25. English Literature: Paper One
Shakespeare – ‘The Merchant of Venice’ (34 Marks) The 19th Century novel – ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ by Robert Louis Stevenson. (30 Marks) Students will be presented with an extract from the texts. They need to offer analysis of the extract in relation to the question and then discuss the wider text.

26. AQA English Literature: Paper Two
Modern Text – ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding (34 marks) Students will be presented with two questions on this text, they will select and answer one. Questions may focus on the novel’s characters, themes or setting. Poetry – Power and Conflict (15 poems) (30 marks) Students will be asked to compare two of the poems. One poem will be named in the exam question, this poem will be printed on the paper for them. They need to select the poem they will compare it to from the rest of the collection. They will have a list of the poems on the exam paper but not the poems themselves. Unseen Poetry – Students will be presented with an unseen poem and be asked to analyse it in relation to a question on its themes and ideas. (24 marks) They will go on to compare it to a second unseen poem. (8 marks)

27. Outcomes: 2019 Grade distribution8 7 6 5 4 3
English Language
79%
73%
68%
60%
54%
48%
35%
English Literature
88%
70%
61%
52%
43%
31%

28. What would we like from students?
To independently read and re-read the key exam texts
To read (and engage with) a range of non-fiction texts each week; this could include newspaper/magazine articles or biographical writing.
To read for pleasure.

29. What do we expect from students?
To attend and be punctual to all English lessons.
To take an active role in lessons, contributing to their learning and the learning of others.
To complete all homework and practice examination questions on time and to the best of their ability.
To complete ‘responses’ to the feedback they get from their teachers to ensure learning and progress.

30. How can you help your child succeed?
Read through and discuss marked practice assessments with them (do they know how to improve?)
To support your child in developing their vocabulary and grammar skills.
Check ‘Show my Homework’ and ensure that they are keeping up with the workload.
Encourage them to use the materials on BBC GCSE Bitesize/ Youtube Mr Bruff.

31. Revision Guides

32. Class Teachers
English Department Contact Information
Class
Teacher­
Teacher
11g1
Mrs K Cook
11k1
Mrs J Green
11g2
Mrs C Caccaviello
11k2
Ms E Brooks
11g3
Miss L Gillard
11k3
11g4
Mr W Clarke
11k4
Mrs A Castleton
11g5
Mrs L Tahmazian
11k5
Mrs S McGinty

33. Mrs Ola Osibona Subject Leader for Maths
Making the Grade
Mrs Ola Osibona
Subject Leader for Maths
26/01/2020

34. GCSE - Mathematics Exam board AQA Foundation Grades 1 – 5
Higher Grades (3) 4 – 9
3 papers each 1 hour 30mins
Paper 1 No calculator
Papers 2 & 3 Calculator allowed

35. Foundation Paper – 240 Marks
June 19 Grades – These can vary from year to year Grade % Grade % Grade % Grade % Grade %

36. Higher Paper – 240 Marks
June 19 Grades – These can vary from year to year Grade % Grade % Grade % Grade % Grade % Grade % Grade %

37. Maths revision is not a spectator sport Maths is a doing subject – so students need to practice questions

38. Make friends with your calculator
Make sure it is in DEG mode...
Estimate your answers
Watch out for the BIDMAS question – show workings!

39. Show all stages in your calculations
NO working + wrong answer = NO marks
Correct working + wrong answer = SOME marks

40. Diagram not drawn accurately
Don’t use a ruler and protractor
Use an appropriate calculation

41. Simplify down as required
Accuracy
Read questions carefully and be able to round to decimal places and significant figures
Don’t round too early
Simplify down as required
Don’t forget units

42. Check your answers Pie Charts – do your angles add up to 180 degrees?
Mean averages – is your answer sensible?
Pythagoras – the longest side is the hypotenuse
Trig – if your angle is less than 1 degree you have probably forgotten to use the inverse function
Probability – answer between 0 and 1

43. Be equipped Two pens Two pencils Rubber Sharpener Ruler Protractor
A good compass
Calculator

44. Revision
Students will need to remember basic formulae, for example area of shapes, density, speed, quadratic formula, trigonometry ratios and rules – revision cards will help with these

45. Resources
CGP Revision guides, work books and exam practice books Mathswatch VLE – all students have a login and appropriate questions have been set for revision GCSE pod all students have a login Corbett Maths – 5 a day practice questions, topic relate questions Mr Barton Maths On Maths Maths Genie

46. How to revise Brief exam hints
Maths Revision
How to revise
Brief exam hints

47. Effective Maths Revision has two phases:
Revisiting and learning work undertaken during the course – establish what you don’t know!
Practice, practice, practice.

48. Revisit work you have done
Use a website
SAM Learning
Mathswatch
Useful for both reminders on how to do things and questions to answer
Ask the teacher

49. Past papers Work at a mark a minute Read the questions carefully
Show all working out
Check the Formula Sheet

50. The Chalfonts Community College
TO DO WELL, ALL THE BEST!

51. Making the Grade Mrs Jane Marfleet (Mr Puni, Mr Innes, Mr Ansell)
Faculty Leader for Science
26/01/2020

52. AQA Triple Sciences

53. How can you support students to go FAR…..in science
F… ocused > weak topics
A… ctive > make notes, do past papers
R…ealistic > start revision early

54. Formative TOPIC Assessments Summative Assessments
What will be used to assess students attainment & progress in the Sciences?
Formative TOPIC Assessments
Summative Assessments
All assessments will test knowledge of the specification in a synoptic manner
Mock Examinations will be in December 2019
As per School policy all homework

55. Why is literacy important in science exams?
The exam boards are placing more importance on longer answer questions rather than short simple answers.
Why is literacy important in science exams?

56. Which students will have access to revision classes and intervention?
Science expect all students in year 11 to have the opportunity for involvement and access to revision classes. Sessions will be offered according to individual needs and requests.
Sciences will commence intervention on a 6 week cycle
After school topic sessions.
Registration intervention
Easter holiday revision days
Individual clinic sessions
Mentoring from sixth form students

57. Revision Materials
Please USE class notes.
Students should get into the habit of reviewing work done in lessons at home.
The use of past papers and practice exam papers is key to success.
Complete each one 3 times!
Read examiners reports from the AQA
Website:

58. Revision guides
Use the revision guides and your Kerboodle resources:

59. SCIENCE REVISION
AS YOU APPROACH THE
SPEED OF LIGHT
TIME SLOWS DOWN!

60. AS YOU APPROACH
YOUR EXAMS
TIME SPEEDS UP

61. Outcomes: 2019 Grade distribution. These can vary from year to year.
Triple Higher paper
Max. Mark 200 in paper 1 & 2 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Biology- Tier Foundation (8461F) Marks
130
114 83 52 21
Biology Tier Higher
(8461H) Marks
134
120
107 89 72 55 46
Triple Higher paper
Max. Mark 200 in paper 1 & 2 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Chemistry- Tier Foundation (8462F) Marks
133
115 83 52 21
Chemistry Tier Higher
(8462H) Marks
144
125
107 88 69 50 40
Triple Higher paper
Max. Mark 200 in paper 1 & 2 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Physics - Tier Foundation (8463F) Marks
129
111 80 50 20
Physics Tier Higher
(8463H) Marks
143
125
108 89 70 51 41

62. Outcomes: 2019 Grade distribution. These can vary from year to year.
Grades for Trilogy Combined Science, Max Mark 420
Each of the 6 papers has a value of 16.7% of the total mark.
9-9
9-8
8-8
8-7
7-7
7-6
6-6
6-5
5-5
Tier Foundation (8464F) Marks
243
Tier Higher (8464H) Marks
269
251
233
216
199
180
161
142
123
Trilogy Combined Science Max Mark 420
Each of the 6 papers has a value of 16.7% of the total mark.
5-4
4-4
4-3
3-3
3-2
2-2
2-1
1-1
Tier Foundation (8464F) Marks
221
200
173
146
119 93 67 41
Tier Higher (8464H) Marks
105 87 78

63. Exam Dates 2020 Biology Paper 1 – Tuesday May 12th pm 2020
Biology Paper 2 – Monday June 1st pm 2020
Chemistry Paper 1 – Thursday May 14th 2020
Chemistry Paper 2 – Wednesday June 10th 2020
Physics Paper 1 – May 20th 2020
Physics Paper 2 – June 12th 2020
These dates apply to both foundation and higher exams in both combined and triple sciences

64. CHEMISTRY

65. Ensure your child understands the periodic table
Understanding this is important it will be their most useful tool in the chemistry examination

66. Ensure your child has their OWN CALCULATOR
THEY MUST BRING IT TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY

67. Required Practical content will be tested in all Science examination papers

68. COPY OUT AND LABEL DIAGRAMS
EXPLAIN WHAT THEY SHOW
HOW IT WORKS

69. BITESIZE YOUTUBE AQA THE ATOM MAKE UP FLASH CARDS
FOR EACH UNIT FIND 20 KEY WORDS
USE THE TEXT BOOK TO HELP YOU (GLOSSARY)
GET MUM / DAD TO TEST YOU
DO THIS AS A GROUP
THE ATOM
It is very
small
BITESIZE YOUTUBE AQA

70. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our science subject leads or one of our specialist science team…

71. Physics
It is a lot of MATHS!! Please talk about this at home. 30% of the exam demands are mathematical calculations.
Exams whether higher tier or foundation are also literacy heavy…

72. Can you work out what to do here:
A fragment of bone is discovered during an archaeological dig. The bone contains carbon-14 isotopes of the element carbon.
The bone is approximately 23 000 years old.
The half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years.
Calculate what proportion of the carbon-14 isotopes remain.
Give your answer to the nearest whole fraction.
Proportion: (3 marks)

73. What you can do to help…
Support their efforts, it is hard, encourage them to have a go… To make MISTAKES! Support use of revision guides, online resources… They should be revising now! No such thing as no homework Mr Ansell will provide links to useful guides.

74. What you can do to help…
How to revise for Physics: Use revision guides (they should not be in pristine condition after their exams) Formulae they must know – produce annotated flash cards for. Complete past exam papers.

75. Making The Grade Evening
Hopefully not.....
But......
…....to a bright future next summer

76. Thank you for taking the time to come this evening.
This presentation and the accompanying booklet will be available on the school’s website from Monday 7th October 2019 and will also be ed out to parents