Key Stage 4

Curriculum Evening

Curriculum

Mrs J Granycome

Religious

Education

Core Curriculum for Year 10

Physical

Education

MathematicsEnglish

Literature

English

Language

Science

Combined

Sciences

Separate

SciencesNot

examined2 GCSEs 3 GCSEs

6 or 7 GCSEs depending on Science route

Option Choices for Year 10

History

Geography

French

Computer

Science

Travel and

Tourism

Product

Design

Engineering

Drama

German

Business

Film Studies Food

At least 1

of the above

3 choices in total

Music

Art

Sport

Textiles

Pathways

Academic (Ebac)

Mixed (Balanced)

Vocational

Curriculum Information

Curriculum Information

Curriculum readiness -

Changes to assessment

Mr N Mitchinson

From September 2015, students in year 10 began to take

new reformed GCSEs.

The first new GCSEs to be taught from September 2015

were in English language, English literature and maths.

New GCSEs in other subjects will follow in September

2016 and 2017.

What are the key features of the new GCSEs?

The Department for Education (DfE) has made a number of changes to the characteristics of the new

GCSEs.

Key features include:

- A new grading scale that uses the numbers 1 – 9 to replace the A* - G scale for identifying levels of

performance

- ‘Untiered’ test papers in most subjects, where students will sit the same test papers at the same level

regardless of ability. Some subjects, such as maths, will be tiered where untiered papers do not allow

lower ability students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills or do not stretch the most able

- Students will be assessed at the end of the course and subject content will not be divided into

modules

- Assessment will be made by external exam, except where non-exam assessment is the only way to

assess certain skills

Students will only sit exams in the summer. Students will only be able to resit exams in November for

English language and maths if they were at least 16 on the preceding 31st August

How is the new grading scale different?

The new GCSEs will be graded using the numbers 1 – 9, with 9 being the

highest and 1 the lowest.

Where performance is below the minimum required to pass a GCSE, students

will receive a U.

The new grading scale was used for the first time at the end of the new GCSE

courses in English language, English literature and maths in 2017.

For example, a C sits between a 4 and 5 in the new grading structure.

Year 10 Parents Evening Wednesday 31st January 2018 4-7pm

Year 11 Parents Evening Wednesday 6th December 2017 4-7pm

Key dates

Year 10 Practice exams* 18th-22nd June 2018 * Literature

Year 11 Practice exams 11th-20th December 2017

Year 10

Interim report 1 Week beginning 6th November 2017

Interim report 2 Week beginning 18th December 2017

Interim report 3 Week beginning 19th February 2018

Interim report 4 Week beginning 16th April 2018

Interim report 5 & End of Year

Pastoral report

Week beginning 9th July 2018

Key dates

Year 11

Interim report 1 Week beginning 16th October 2017

Interim report 2 Week beginning 11th December 2017

Interim report 3 Week beginning 5th February 2018

Interim report 4 Week beginning 26th March 2018

Key dates

Useful weblinks

A timetable of the main changes:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/timeline-of-

changes-to-gcses-as-and-a-levels

Information on the new grading structure:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grade-

descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1

Detail on reformed GCSE subject content :

https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/reforming-

qualifications-and-the-curriculum-to-better-prepare-pupils-for-

life-after-school/supporting-pages/gcse-reform

Attendance

Ms L Gosnay

What is good attendance?

96%No more than 7 days

absence per school

year

How does school help?

● Form time review

● Target groups

● Graduated levels of support○ Form Tutor

○ Progress Leader / Year Manager

○ Attendance Team

○ Education Welfare Officers

● League table competition

● Rewards

How can you help?

● Ask your child about their attendance % regularly○ Planners, Parent Portal, Interim Reports

● Ensure they attend school on time every day○ On site no later than 8.25am, registered at 8.30am

● Encourage your child to attend even with minor illnesses○ Contact Attendance Team daily before 8.25am if absent

● Make appointments outside of school time where possible○ Notify Attendance Team in advance & provide evidence of appointment

if unavoidable

● Take holidays in school holidays

● Contact us if there are any issues preventing your child

from attending school regularly

PIXL EDGE

Mr S Carey

Pixl Edge

Pixl Edge

Employers look for young people who are rigorous, rounded and

grounded, with not only skills and knowledge, but also the wider

behaviours and attitudes that are needed for success in life and work.

Programmes such as The Edge that support and encourage this wider

development in young people as a part of their school journey are a

welcome step towards ensuring that all young people can fulfil their

potential.”

Neil Carberry, Director for Employment and Skills, CBI.

Pixl Edge

Pixl Edge

● Y10 and Y11 students to be provided opportunities to start at Graduate Level

• Incorporate into PSHE/Citizenship/Global Learning programme as well as cross curricular (especially incorporate into homework)

• Fantastic opportunity to “stand out from the crowd” on CVs and university applications

• ½ term focus for whole school on each of LORIC attributes;

• Introduce a “Board of Directors” involving Governor, LT link, Edge leader(s) and students to meet once a term.

• Train up Edge ambassadors from Y10 and Y11 to work alongside Y7 and Y8 students.

• Train up Form reps 2 per form. They will then train rest of their form and also assist form tutors.

• First Students (current Y9) to complete Apprentice level July 2018

• Students to reach Graduate level by end of Y11 and Masters by end of Y13Pixl Edge

Next steps….

What

activities

do you take

part in?

Subject info

Separate Sciences

All students in current Year 11 are following (AQA) Combined

Science, worth 2 GCSE’s.

Some students who wish to follow, and whose teachers recommend,

Separate Science GCSE’s, in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, will

be offered the opportunity to learn the extra content.

These sessions are likely to occur after school, study days in half

term holidays and when Core PE lessons are due to take place,

Dr Frank, CTL of Science will contact parents,outlining the

differences and the commitment necessary, from those students

interested.

KS4

● AQA programme of study is followed

● Sets 1&2 will follow the higher pathway; Sets 3-6 foundation pathway

● Higher Grades 9-4

● Foundation Grade 1-5

● 8 lessons of maths a fortnight

● Revision and intervention classes provided throughout KS4

● Further Maths GCSE additional - after school

● Terminal Assessment of 3 papersa. 90 mins,

b. 80 marks each

c. 1 non-calculator, 2 calculator papers

Students are studying two courses: AQA GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature (first teaching from 2015; exams from 2017)

GCSE Number

Grade

GCSE Letter

Grade

1 G+

2 E / F

3 D

4 C- / C

5 C+ / B-

6 B / B+

7 A

8 A*- / A*

9 A*+

New grading system 1-9 to replace A*-G Approximate conversion chart:

GSCE English Language – 100% external examination:

• Paper 1 = Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (fiction extracts) –50%

• Paper 2 = Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives (non-fiction extracts) – 50%

GSCE English Literature – 100% external examination:

• Paper 1 = Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet) and the 19th Century Novel (A Christmas Carol) – 40%

• Paper 2 = Modern Texts (An Inspector Calls) and Poetry (selection from the Anthology on Love and Relationships) – 60%

Useful Revision Guides – available online from the CGP website or Amazon:

GCSE English Language:• CGP - New GCSE English Language AQA Complete Revision & Practice - for the Grade 9-1 Course• CGP - New GCSE English Language AQA Workbook - for the Grade 9-1 Course (includes Answers)

GCSE English Literature: • CGP – A Christmas Carol Text Guide• CGP – An Inspector Calls Text Guide• CGP – Romeo and Juliet Text Guide• New GCSE English Literature AQA Poetry Guide: Love & Relationships Anthology - the Grade 9-1

Course

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Eduqas GCSE Religious StudiesThere are 3 examinations for the RE qualification.

Component 1 - Foundational Catholic Theology (1 hour 30 mins), tests:

Theme 1: Origins and Meaning (Includes Judaism and non religious beliefs)

Theme 2: Good and Evil

Component 2 - Applied Catholic Theology (1 hour 30 mins), tests:

Theme 3: Life and Death

Theme 4: Sin and Forgiveness

Component 3 - Study of a World Faith (1 hour): Judaism

Computer science

Students are currently completing their controlled assessment . During

this 20 hr period, students are not allowed any help relating to their

assignment from their teachers.

Art

Art & Design coursework deadline is Christmas

10hr exam where students create their final piece is Fri 23rd March &

Monday 26th March

Raising Attainment

Miss L Bradley

Mrs S Mitchinson

Raising Attainment

● Raising Attainment Team

● Raising Attainment Lessons○ Preparing for Y11 exams and beyond

○ Raising Aspirations

○ Revision Strategies

○ Practise Exams

○ Understanding subject forecasts and setting own goals and targets

○ Careers

○ Y11 Parents Evening February - revision techniques & parental support

● Intervention○ Across the whole school - ensuring we strive for all pupils to achieve a successful pass at at least five subjects

with English and maths

○ Mentors, HPR target group, Grade 5 target group

○ Maths Step Up

○ English Step Up

○ Easter Revision

English and Maths Raising Attainment

● Step Up

● Year 11 - intervention classes at every level - Wednesday and Thursday after

school open to all

● Year 10 Maths Intervention - Thursday 3.05-4.05pm, FE3, Mr Stockton

● Hegartymaths.com○ School name, Student name, DOB - create your own password

● Pixl App ○ TA354

○ Student name & initial

● Revision Packs - calculator, exam equipment & revision guide £10

Forecast data

Learning Reminders

Attendance

Staff feedback

Parental information

End of Year Report

● RAT in Maths, English and

Science

● Revision sessions

● Focus Days

● English and Maths during form

● Support with TA’s

● CTL Subject Monitoring Report

● Regular feedback and

aspirational targets

● Smarthomework

Academic

Monitoring

● C4L walks.

● Pastoral Monitoring Report

● ACADEMIC MONITORING

Pastoral Support

}

● Anxiety

● Bereavement

● Anger Management

● Media

● Bullying

● Family

● Friendship groups

A1 Excellent attitude to learning Student completes work with enthusiasm, always completes homework on time and to a high

standard, is proactive in seeking help when unsure, brings equipment and books to all

lessons, is an independent learner, very rarely gets reminders, is punctual, is an active

learner who seeks ways to extend knowledge and fully develop skills, values learning.

A2 Consistently good attitude to learning Student completes work with enthusiasm, normally completes homework on time and to a

high standard, is increasingly confident and engaged, brings equipment and books to most if

not all lessons, is developing the skills of independent learning, rarely gets reminders, values

learning.

A3 Some good attitude to learning Student completes most homework, brings equipment and books to most lessons, is

developing the skills of independent learning with help, gets few reminders, is normally

punctual.

A4 Requires improvement Student only sometimes completes work, has a poor homework record, frequently forgets

equipment and books, has not yet developed the skills of independent learning, has a

significant number of reminders, is sometimes late.

A5 Negative attitude to learning Student requires significant intervention.

Free LATE BUS…..

The late bus will be available on Tues Wed Thurs at 4:20.

Aiming for Excellence

Practice Exams 2017-18

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday

11/12/2017 12/12/2017 13/12/2017 14/12/2017 15/12/2017 18/12/2017

Period 1 English 1 English 2 Option Block X Chemistry Option Block Y Maths 3

Period 2 105 Mins 105 Mins 90 / 105 Mins 75 Mins 90 / 105 Mins 90 Mins

Period 3 RE Biology Maths 1 Maths 2 Physics Option Block Z

Period 4 90 Mins 75 Mins 90 Mins 90 Mins 75 Mins 90 / 105 Mins

Parental engagement

Nick Mitchinson

Parent Portal

Parent Portal

Parent Portal

Smarthomework● In response to parental request, we have an online homework

system

● Smarthomework is able to:

○ Allow teachers to set any type of homework online

○ Allow students to login and see their homework tasks

○ Allow parents to login and see the homework tasks

○ Allows student to submit digital work online or mark physical

hand-in tasks as complete

○ Sends email notification and calendar alerts to students

Transition from KS4

What Next?

Life after GCSE. The Challenges of Transition

Securing Post 16 engagement

Social and emotional readiness

Awareness and confidence in the new environment and its systems

New relationships; peers and adults

Family support

Resolving practical challenges – e.g. transport

Appropriate Opportunities

What? Where? When?

Access to courses: variety, appropriateness and required qualifications

Avoiding the ‘drop out’