GCSE English Language & GCSE English Literature

Year 11 2016-17

The English GCSEs

1. Summary of the changes

2. How the new grades compare to the old

3. What’s involved in GCSE English Language and literature

4. The texts being studied

5. Study tips and places to go for extra help

A background to the changes

• Exam only

• Grades 9 to 1; 9 being the highest achievable grade

• Four exams; two literature and two language exams

• No coursework

• Texts cannot be taken into the exam

• No higher or foundation tiers

The new grading structure

Recent Results

• Year 11 students sat 2 English Language exams at the end of last academic year

• Part of a network of 1200 participating secondary schools

• 78% of our Year 11 students gained grades 9 to 4– This compares to 69% of students nationally

• 63% of our students gained 9 to 5– Compared to 52% nationally

Recent Results

Recent Results

• Regular attendance

• Submit homework on time with the best effort made

• Contribute in class

• Act upon teacher feedback

• Attend and respect any extra English lessons offered after school

Expectations of students

GCSE English Language • AQA

• Two exam papers, 1 hour 45 mins each

• No set texts - students expected to read ‘a wide range of texts’ – 19th, 20th and 21st century

• Reading (50%): assesses a range of reading skills including comprehension, language analysis and how texts are structured

• Reading assessment based on unseen texts from all three centuries – fiction & non-fiction, including literary non-fiction

GCSE English Language

• Writing (50%): producing a clear and coherent response; writing for impact.

• 20% of Writing marks for range of vocabulary and sentence structures, spelling and punctuation.

GCSE English Literature• AQA

• Two exams: Paper 1 = 1h 45mins (40%), Paper 2 = 2h 15min (60%)

• Emphasis on ‘classic literature’ and substantial whole texts in detail

• Shakespeare: Macbeth

• 19th century novel: Jekyll & Hyde

• Selection of poetry since 1789, including Romantic poetry

• Fiction or drama from the British Isles from 1914 onwards: An Inspector Calls

• 5% of marks for vocabulary, sentence structures, spelling and punctuation

GCSE English Literature

• Knowing the characters, themes and contexts of the examined texts– Macbeth– Jekyll & Hyde– An Inspector Calls– Poetry: ‘Relationships’

• Being able to remember quotes• Knowing the social and historical context of the

texts

Key skills for English Language & Literature

• Showing not retelling

• Memorising key quotes

• Deeper thinking and perceptiveness

• Spelling, punctuation and grammar

• Using academic writing to express ideas

Study Tips & Extra Resources

• Useful websites: – http://www.aqa.org.uk– http://www.revisioncentre.co.uk/gcse/english– http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/– http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/– http://www.litcharts.com/

• Remembering quotes: post-it notes and mind-maps around the house (characters, themes, contexts)

• Revision Guides such as CGP and York Notes• Kerboodle

GCSE Ethics and Philosophy

How we can help!2014 2015 2016

A*- C 72% 83% 77%

A*-A 34% 38% 31%

2014 2015 2016

A*- C 72% 83% 77%

A*-A 34% 38% 31%

Increasing number of students

opting to take it at A Level

For many of our students, EP was used

as one of their 5 A*-C!

2014 2015 2016

A*- C 72% 83% 77%

A*-A 34% 38% 31%

Increasing number of students opting to

take it at A Level

For 50% of students, EP was used as

one of their 5 A*-C!

Increased parental support!

Excellent department!

This is a team effort, we need

you!

What is the link???

• AQA Religious Studies B

• 2 exams

1. Religion and Life Issues – 50%

2. Religion and Morality – 50%

Exam Board

Q: What is the point, EP doesn’t get me anything?

A: EP is now a full GCSE. This can and will count towards one of your 5 A*-C GCSE’s that will help meet the entry requirements for Sixth Form.

Q: It all about religion and I’m not religious. How will this help me in my other subjects?

A: EP no longer focuses just on religion. Although it is still plays a part, majority of exam is based on ethical and moral issues. To achieve well, you must be able to explain and justify your view. This is a higher order skill. These skills compliment the following subjects;• English• History • Geography

Why Study EP?

AQA Religion and Animal Rights Assessment

What is factory farming? 1 mark

Give two reasons why many religious believers are against the fur and ivory trades. 2 marks

“Religious believers should be vegetarians”. What do you think? Explain. 3 marks

Explain the attitudes of religious people to experiments on animals. Refer to religious teaching in your answer. 6 marks

“Animals are here for humans’ benefit”. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious arguments in your answer. 6 marks

• We agree!

My child has many exams to revise for, they have to prioritise!

What is the key to achieving well in EP?

Taking part in lesson

Completing homework

Re-capping topics each half term

• Topics –• Religious attitudes to world poverty

• Religious attitudes to crime and punishment

• Religious attitudes to poverty in Britain

• Religious attitudes to drugs abuse

• Religious attitudes towards the elderly and death

Religion and Morality

• Topics –• Religion and Early Life

• Religion and Prejudice

• Religion, War and Peace

• Religion and Planet Earth

• Religion and Animal Rights

Religion and Life Issues

• Religion and Life Issues 1h 30m - 17 May 2017

• Religion and Morality 1h 30m - 23 May 2017

Exam Dates

• Discuss the topics we have shown you

• Ask students to justify their opinions

• Remind students that an A*-C in EP can help them to get into sixth form

How can parents help?

• Websites -• Bitesize Religious Education GCSEhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/

• Rsrevision – GCSEwww.rsrevision.com

• Testing students on their knowledge• Getting students to create mini revision packs, that they

can refer to at the end of the year• Encouraging students to do past exam questions

How can we help?

GCSE Mathematics 2017

Exam Board

Edexcel

Linear Examination

New GCSE 1-9

• “Must do something different”

manshead

Unique student password

Unique student username

After EVERY assessment, students are either….

Happy with their results Unhappy

Happy with your results

1. Don’t be complacent2. Three papers (need to do well in all)3. Different skills are tested on each calculator

paper and non calculator papers4. HUGE Competition outside of the classroom –

for jobs/apprenticeships, etc5. Be as aspirational as possible

However ….

That is brilliant

Disappointed with your results

1. Use Target sheet (from your teacher/Pixl)2. Use Mathswatch online regularly from now on.3. Classes are ‘raising their game’ (with 75% of

students studying the higher course)4. Try something different NOW, don’t keep doing

the same thing.

DO NOT WORRY

Take action NOW….

In the Maths Department, we use

TARGET SHEETS (with Mathswatch

Clip nos.)after EVERY assessment

(whether every half a term or after each module of work.)

Maths skills to improve (in red)

Use Mathswatch online

Improved understandingof key skills (worksheet)

Improved performance

“I CAN’T DO IT YET”

CHANGE…

“I CAN’T DO IT”

In all Year 11 classes, teachers are setting students a combination of MathswatchAssessments and homework. These are done fortnightly and alternate.

(With students getting to the end of the course, it is vital that students regularly use Mathswatch to REVISE from)

Class Work

Independent Work

What is done at home (using a

combination of Mathswatch

Online and Maths Past Papers)

makes the BIGGEST IMPACT

(outside of the classroom)

•On the student part of portal

Resources

Resources

•Study Plus•Library

•C5 Computer suite (Tuesday lunchtimes)

FAQ

Raising ALL our expectations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3EIIqazbjk

Science at Manshead2016-2017

Circuits

Forces and Motion

Work, Energy and Power

Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity

Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

Chemical Bonding

Chemical Reactions

QuantitativeChemistry

DNA

Photosynthesis, Respiration and chemical Transport

Evolution

Systems of Body

Content Split into manageable chunks to provide variety and keep pupils engaged with their learning.Regular exam style assessment.

Additional Science Triple Science

Three ExamsB2, C2, P2

One Controlled Assessment

Six ExamsC1 C2 C3P1 P2 P3

Two Controlled Assessments

Grades

Revision – How can you support your child?

1) Make sure they have a revision guide.

2) Little and often.

3) Past papers, past papers, past papers…

4)

Key Dates Biology Unit Date of Exam

B1 16th May

B2 9th June

B3 19th June

Physics Unit Date of Exam

P1 24th May

P2 16th June

P3 23rd June

Chemistry Unit Date of Exam

C1 18th May

C2 14th June

C3 21st June

Half Term

29th May – 4th June