Making the most of booster classes

October 2002

National Strategy for Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Objectives of the sessionObjectives of the session

To help teachers to enable pupils in Year 9 to maximise their achievements at the end ofKey Stage 3

To help schools to make the best use of booster money and materials

Slide 1

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

What’s in the booster kitsWhat’s in the booster kits

Guidance

A set of booster lessons

A leaflet for pupils

A leaflet for parents and guardians

Slide 2

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Ways of organising booster lessonsWays of organising booster lessons

Extra set

Homework clubs

Revision classes

Additional time

Extra lesson time

Feedback tutorials

Coaching tutorials

Mentoring support

Additional adult support

Slide 3

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Planning revision and booster provisionPlanning revision and booster provision

When planning revision strategies and boosterprovision, schools will need to take account of:

specific needs of pupils

timetable constraints and travel arrangements

available expertise

using additional adults and teaching assistants

securing the attendance of the pupils

Slide 4

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Changes to the Year 9 tests: EnglishChanges to the Year 9 tests: English

There are three changes to the tests for 2003: Levels will be reported separately for reading and writing, as well as

for English overall. Reading will be assessed using a separate reading booklet containing

three linked texts. There will be approximately 15 questions. The Shakespeare paper will have two sections. Section A is a short

writing task linked in theme to the play studied. Section B is a reading task based on two extracts from the two set scenes.

The writing paper will involve a longer writing task.

The changes from 2003 have been designed to promote greaterconsistency in assessing English across the key stages. The sameset of assessment focuses for reading and writing will apply to allstatutory and optional tests.

Slide 5

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Changes to the Year 9 tests: mathematicsChanges to the Year 9 tests: mathematics

There is one change to the assessment ofmathematics from 2003:

More questions that require pupils to use their skills in using and applying mathematics (Ma1).

From 2003 there will be more questions that requirepupils to apply their problem-solving skills, givereasons for their answers, and communicate thesemathematically. The mark schemes will identifywhere marks for Ma1 have been assigned.

Slide 6

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Changes to the Year 9 tests: scienceChanges to the Year 9 tests: science

There is one change to the tests for 2003:

An increase in the number of questions assessing scientific enquiry (Sc1).

From 2003 there will be more questions that assesspupils in the development of scientific ideas andusing scientific evidence (Sc1). Questions may be inthe context of any of the science attainment targetsand there may also be discrete Sc1 questions.

Slide 7

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Changes to the Year 9 tests: science (cont.)Changes to the Year 9 tests: science (cont.)

Questions in the test may ask pupils:

how an investigation could be carried out; what factors need to be controlled; what factors need to be measured; whether the outcome can be predicted; how the results are going to be presented; what the results show and whether they match the

prediction; to explain the outcome and whether the evidence

collected is significant, reliable and valid.

Slide 8

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

English booster lessonsEnglish booster lessons

Lessons 1–4 focus on reading, and the demands of the reading paper.

Lessons 5–10 focus on the Shakespeare questions – three sets of two lessons for each of the three set plays.

Lessons 11–15 focus on writing, and the demands of both the longer and shorter writing tasks.

Lesson 16 enables pupils to review their work and set personal targets in the run-up to the tests.

Slide 9

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Structure of booster lessonsStructure of booster lessons

Remember

Model

Try

Apply

Secure

Slide 10

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Mathematics booster lessonsMathematics booster lessons

16 lessons Topics which have caused difficulty Focus on using and applying mathematics Aimed at level 5 and level 6 One hour but teachers may need to select activities Basis of pre-teaching prior to the topic being taught in

lessons Detailed lesson plans including resource sheets Use examples from the Framework and tests as a

focus for teaching

Slide 11

Key Stage 3 National Strategy

Science booster lessonsScience booster lessons

20 lessons Topics which cause more difficulty, and scientific

enquiry Aimed at level 5 and level 6 One hour Smaller booster groups Detailed lesson plans, including resources A range of activities No practice questions Departments should decide which to use

Slide 12