Dear Parent/Carer,

RE: HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD AT GCSE Following many conversations with parents and carers regarding homework, please find attached to this letter concise yet informative information highlighting the pieces of examined or non-examined work (Controlled Assessments / assignments) which your son/daughter needs to have completed by the end of Year 11. As a matter of course, on occasions when homework has not been set, students should log-on to SAM learning and complete an appropriate section of the web site. Nonetheless, Year 10 and Year 11 are clearly very important years with regards to the setting of homework. Following extensive monitoring of the setting of homework in Year 11, I have discovered that many of our students have been set either homework, extensive pieces of work or even coursework to be completed over a set period of time but not entered this into their planners and, consequently, parents/carers are clearly concerned that homework was not being set when, in fact, this is not necessarily the case. Many pieces of work / homework being set tend to be items of research for Controlled Assessments, coursework or extended pieces which need to be completed over a long period of time – require a great deal of time and effort. It appears that this is initially being entered into the planner as homework entry one, but not followed up as entry two, three, four (etc) following the first lesson where that piece was set. Teachers are expecting and reminding students to transfer this series of ‘homeworks’ into their planners yet this is not happening in all cases. It is for this reason that I have asked all teachers of GCSE courses to provide me with information that I can send home which will allow you the opportunity to understand which extended pieces of work should be completed for which subject by which date. Of course, many deadlines are approximate, as my intention is to give you a rough idea given that exact dates may vary slightly depending upon the member of staff. Also included within this information pack:

• How to help your child at GCSE;

• Controlled Assessment dates and Examination dates

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

MARCH Wed 9th

- Enhanced Curriculum Day

APRIL Fri 1st

- Easter Holidays

MAY Fri 20th

- Revision Programme begins

Should you wish to discuss this further, I would welcome any feedback or advice either on the above school number or by email:

cooknp01@leedslearning.net Yours faithfully

MR. N. COOK PROGRESS LEADER (KeyStage 4)

MARCH 2011

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HOW EXACTLY CAN I HELP MY CHILD REVISE?

IMPORTANT RESIT EXAMINATION DATES

SUBJECT PAPER EXAMINATION DATE LENGTH WORTH

MATHS Module 3 non-calculator Tuesday 1st March (am) 45mins 27 ½ % of Maths GCSE MATHS Module 3 calculator Tuesday 1st March (am) 45mins

MATHS Module 1 non-calculator Tuesday 1st March (pm) 30mins 18 ½ % of Maths GCSE MATHS Module 1 calculator Tuesday 1st March (pm) 30mins

This booklet will give you the relevant information to understand the Maths, English and Science courses. In order to understand any other courses, please visit the school’s website:

• www.princehenrys.co.uk

• Parent Zone

• Study Support Then click on the relevant Specification and this will guide you through the course in more detail..

CONTENT OF THIS BOOKLET PAGE:

3 - Outline of GCSE Mathematics

4 - Outline of GCSE Science

5 - Controlled Assessment – what are they? When are they?

6-7 - Outline of qualifications being studied in Year 10/11

8-11 - How to help your child in the lead up to examinations / How to access Prince Henry’s

improved website when helping your child revise

12-15 - Summer GCSE exam timetable

MODULE 1 + MODULE 3 + MODULE 5 (over 2 years) = GCSE Maths

OR

Linear Maths (end of Year 11) – GCSE MATHS

MATHS GCSE

MODULE 1: Handling Data:

� Using and applying handling data � Specifying the problem and planning � Collecting data � Processing and representing data

� Interpreting and discussing results

MODULE 3: Number and Algebra:

� Using and applying number and algebra

� Numbers and the number system � Calculations � Solving numerical problems � Equations, formulae and identities

� Sequences, functions and graphs

MODULE 5: As Module 3 + Shape, Space and Measures

� Using and applying shape, space and measures

� Geometrical reasoning � Transformations and coordinates � Measures and construction

LINEAR MATHS (Summer Yr11 only) Handling Data 18-22%:

� Using and applying handling data � Specifying the problem and planning � Collecting data � Processing and representing data

� Interpreting and discussing results

Number and Algebra 50-55%:

� Using and applying number and algebra

� Numbers and the number system � Calculations � Solving numerical problems � Equations, formulae and identities

� Sequences, functions and graphs

Shape, Space and Measures 25-30%:

� Using and applying shape, space and measures

� Geometrical reasoning � Transformations and coordinates � Measures and construction

MATHS B (modular) MATHS A (linear)

MODULE 3 – YR 9, PAPER 1 – Summer 2012

MODULE 1 – NOV YR10, PAPER 2 – Summer 2012

MODULE 5 – NOV YR11 Decision to do Linear is not

made, by the teacher, until Jan/Feb of Year 11

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TRIPLE SCIENCE = GCSE in Biology,

Chemistry, Physics (= 3 GCSEs)

OR

DOUBLE AWARD SCIENCE

= Yr10 (Core = one GCSE)

+ YR11 (additional = one GCSE)

OR

SCIENCE APPLIED = (two GCSEs)

GCSE SCIENCE

PLEASE VISIT THE

SCHOOL’S WEBSITE FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION

RELATING TO SCIENCE

TRIPLE

SCIENCE

(set 1)

EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS

YEAR 10 (25%) YEAR 11 (50%)

NOVEMBER JANUARY

MARCH JUNE

COURSEWORK (25%)

2 pieces in each Science. Best one for

each Science submitted

SETS 2, 3

(CORE /

ADDIT)

EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS (75%)

YEAR 10 (core) YEAR 11

(additional)

MARCH JUNE

ONLY JUNE

COURSEWORK (25%)

6 pieces in total: (2) Biology, (2) Chemistry, (2)

Physics. Choose best two – 1 from Yr 10, 1

from Yr 11

SETS 4

(Applied)

EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS (35%)

Yr 10 – JUNE

COURSEWORK / portfolios (65%)

YEAR 10 YEAR 11

Unit1- 10%

Unit3- 27.5%

Unit4- 27.5%

RESIT EXAM: RESIT date

TRIPLE:

BIOLOGY

NOVEMBER YEAR 11

CHEMISTRY

PHYSICS

SETS 1, 2, 3

SET 4 (Applied) JAN YR 11

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CONTROLLED ASSESSMENTS WHAT IS CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT FOR GCSES? Controlled Assessment is a new form of internal assessment that replaces coursework in GCSEs. It encourages a more integrated approach to teaching, learning and assessment and enables teachers to confirm that students carried out the work involved as this takes place in the classroom under examination conditions. As the name suggests, it applies increased control over assessment of students' work at three critical points: • TASK SETTING – teachers can choose from a wide range of tasks set by awarding bodies, which can be contextualised to suit local circumstances. Arrangements will differ by subject, with some subjects allowing centres to set tasks • TASK TAKING – there are several levels (and types) of supervision under which assessment can take place, depending on the skills involved; generally this will be done by subject teachers in regular lesson time • TASK MARKING – awarding bodies provide mark schemes or criteria.

IMPORTANT DATES – Controlled Assessments in Year 11 Jan - May

START Date

END date Subject

ALL CAs over the two year course

count towards how much of final grade

October February Business – research lessons 100% January January PE Unit 2 60% January April Music – composition 60% January January Design and Technology 60% February March Business – written report 100%

March March Science 25% March March ICT 100% March March MFL – Writing 30% March March MFL – Speaking 30% March May PE 60% March April ICT 100%

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HOW EXACTLY CAN I HELP MY CHILD REVISE?

The countdown has begun to GCSEs (Summer 2011) and the main questions on your mind are:

How can I best help my child revise? What advice can I offer? Where can I find help?

SECTION 1:

The first thing you need to understand: which qualification is your child studying?

• GCSE

• BTECs

• OCR (Nationals)

QUALIFICATIONS IN YEAR 10/11 ARE ASSESSED AT A PARTICULAR LEVEL:

• LEVEL 1 – this is the equivalent to the old CSEs grade 2 onwards. Today, the equivalent at GCSE is D-G or BTec/OCR Nationals at Level 1: Pass (equiv GCSE:F grade), Merit (equiv: E), Distinction (equiv: D);

• LEVEL 2 – this is the equivalent to the old O-Level/CSE Grade 1. Today, the equivalent at GCSE is A*-C or BTec/OCR Nationals at Level 2: Pass (equiv GCSE:C grade), Merit (equiv: B), Distinction (equiv: A).

GCSEs: what they are?

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. It's highly valued by schools, colleges and employers so will be useful whatever your child is planning to do afterwards. The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, combined with some investigative work. Some subjects also involve practical work. GCSEs are usually studied full-time at school or college, taking five terms to complete.

How is your child assessed? GCSEs are assessed mainly on written exams and controlled assessments, although in some subjects there are also elements of coursework. Some subjects, like art and design, have more coursework and fewer exams. Some GCSE courses are made up of units; for these, exams are taken at the end of each unit. Other GCSEs involve exams at the end of course. For some subjects, everyone sits the same exam. For others, there is a choice of two tiers: 'higher' or 'foundation'. Each tier leads to a different range of grades. The subject teacher normally decides which tier is best following the Mock results but this will be mostly following a discussion with your child. MARKS Examiners work out how many 'raw marks' are needed to get a certain grade. If your child has taken a GCSE made up of units (Science, for example), the results’ slip may show a points score on the uniform mark scale (UMS). The UMS is a system examiners use to combine different unit marks to get the overall GCSE grade. GRADES GCSEs are graded A*-G and U (unclassified):

• higher tier exams leads to grades A*-D • foundation tier exams leads to grades C-G

BTECs and OCR Nationals: what are they?

BTEC qualifications and OCR Nationals are particular types of work-related qualifications, available in a wide range of subjects and, like GCSEs, are highly-valued by employers. At Prince Henry’s, these include:

- BTec Media; BTec Business Studies; BTec Art

- All college courses and ICT (OCR Nationals).

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Many have been designed in collaboration with industry, so they can equip students with the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. The qualifications offer a mix of theory and practice, and can also include an element of work experience. They can take the form of (or be part of) a technical certificate, one of the key components of an Apprenticeship.

How is your child assessed?

Generally, BTecs are assessed by the teacher. Depending on the subject, some assessments may also be done by external examiners. A range of assignments, case studies and practical activities are completed, as well as a portfolio of evidence that shows the work completed over the two years.

Grades BTEC and OCR Nationals are graded in the following way:

QUALIFICATION at PHGS

GRADE EQUIVALENT WORTH

At Level 2 ADDITIONAL INFO

BTec Media / BTec Art Pass Merit Distinction

4 x C grades (GCSE) 4 x B grades (GCSE) 4 x A grades (GCSE)

Level 1 = D-G equivalent

BTec Business Studies Pass Merit Distinction

4 x C grades (GCSE) 4 x B grades (GCSE) 4 x A grades (GCSE)

Level 1 = D-G equivalent

OCR Nationals Pass Merit Distinction

1 x C grades in Yr 10(GCSE) 1 x B grades in Yr 10(GCSE) 1 x A grades in Yr 10(GCSE)

1 x C grades in Yr 11(GCSE) 1 x B grades in Yr 11 (GCSE) 1 x A grades in Yr 11 (GCSE)

COLLEGE: Beauty Therapy,

Construction, Child Care (CACHE), Horticulture

Pass Merit Distinction

4 x F grades (GCSE) 4 x E grades (GCSE) 4 x D grades (GCSE)

These are LEVEL 1 courses BUT some Construction students (only) have been entered for LEVEL 2

COLLEGE: Animal Care,

Public Service, Construction

Pass Merit Distinction

4 x C grades (GCSE) 4 x B grades (GCSE) 4 x A grades (GCSE)

Level 1 = D-G equivalent

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

CoPE Pass Level 2 = equivalent to a full GCSE grade ‘B’

This is a pass or fail qualification

ALAN (Adult Literacy Adult

Numeracy) Pass

Level 2 = equivalent to a grade ‘B’ at GCSE There are two on-line tests worth a half GCSE each

8

HOW

?

SECTION 2: How can I help my child in the lead up to the exams?

There are a few questions to ask/answer first, though!

1. Which grade is your child working towards (Target grade) in their subjects? All target grades can be found in the Academic Tracking pages in your child’s planner.

2. Discuss with your child HOW the examination(s) (if there is one) is/are structured. If you would like to research this yourself, advice can be found on page 4.

3. With your child, discuss what is needed for each section of that exam. For example: in Maths, will the first exam be a calculator exam or a non-calculator exam? And exactly what needs to be learnt for those exams: algebra? shapes? etc…

4. Has coursework been an element throughout the course? Or, more importantly, Controlled Assessments? If so, what is it worth for that subject and IS IT UP-TO-DATE / COMPLETED. Staff and students are currently working extremely hard to ensure all coursework is completed to a high standard. Discuss with your child how they feel they have progressed with their coursework. Does your child have negative comments in the planner or detentions for not completing coursework?

5. PRIORITY 1: complete all coursework / Controlled Assessments. An incomplete course could mean that you are levied a cost to cover the cost of this examination subject.

6. Discuss with your child WHAT s/he needs to revise for their exams. This can be the most difficult answer for your child to give. Some subjects will be easy to clarify where a simple checklist of items to be learnt may have been handed out and explained fully in lesson. For other subjects, such as Art, it may be difficult for your child to explain. Please follow the guidance on page 4 to help with this.

7. How much is the examination worth towards the final grade?

8. Create a revision timetable (a blank copy will be issued closer to the examinations and will be included on the school’s website). What should your child revise? And when?

IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOUR CHILD FINISHES SCHOOL WITH AT LEAST (the equivalent of) FIVE GCSEs with ENGLISH and MATHS

9

USE THE FOLLOWING REVISION GUIDANCE FOR MATHS AND ENGLISH AND APPLY THE SAME TECHNIQUES TO YOUR CHILD’S OTHER SUBJECTS (which are to be examined)

1. Go to the school’s website: www.princehenrys.co.uk ;

2. Click on Parent Zone ;

3. Click on Study Support:

4. Find the section on English;

5. Click on SPECIFICATION Within the body of this document, you will find the exact requirements of the GCSE or BTec/OCR National. Here you will learn what is in the exam (if there is one) and what your child needs to do for which paper.

6. Once you have established what needs to be learnt, click on the SUPPORT links under the ENGLISH section and see if there is something within these support websites to assist with revision.

7. Specific to English, you can find a wealth of precise revision material when you click on REVISION

CHECKLIST. The school’s Virtual Learning Environment is personalised to Prince Henry’s and here you can find revision elements for most subjects:

USERNAME:

parent2010

PASSWORD: parent

Click on ENGLISH then choose either:

- GCSE English Language and English Literature revision; - GCSE English.

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7. Once you have decided the section with which you would like to assist, go to the following

websites (on page 6):

1. Go to the school’s website: www.princehenrys.co.uk ;

2. Click on Parents ;

3. Click on Study Support:

4. Find the section on Maths;

5. Click on the relevant Maths Module to be sat (Linear includes Module 1, 3, & 5).

6. Once you have established which Module you would like to help guide your child through: Click on the link to the file (eg. Module 3) and the appropriate revision checklist will upload:

11

Your child has an

individual username /

password where you

(and we) can monitor

his/her progress.

OR

Log-in: PHGS

Password: mathlete

1. www.samlearning.com 4. www.mymaths.co.uk 5. www.bitesize.co.uk

2. Choose: GCSE

3. Choose: MATHS, FOUNDATION or HIGHER then

the relevant section to help guide your child:

Centre ID: LS21PH

User ID: Date of birth followed by two initials: first name

then last name.

Example: 010896DJ is the User ID for David

Jones born 1st

Aug 1996.

Password: Initially same as the User ID, Learners are

encouraged to change this to something difficult

to guess.

GCSE EXAMINATION TIMETABLE 2011

MS1 MS2

Examination 11 GNS 11 HLB

Revision Programme 11 HPB 11 HGD

Holiday 11 HRM 11 LAP

11 WHJ 11 LLN

ARRIVE AT YOUR EXAMINATION 15 MINS BEFORE THE START TIME – MAIN HALL

Morning Session (starting 09.00) Afternoon Session (starting (13.30)

Monday 16

th May 2011

English A (Year11) Written Paper 1F (1hr 45min) English A (Year11) Written Paper 1H (1hr 45min)

French Listening F (35min) French Listening H (45min)

Tuesday 17

th May 2011

Music Listening & Appraising (1hr 30min) Religious Studies (Year 11) Life Issues (1hr 30min)

Wednesday 18

th May 2011

Free Standing Maths – Algebra, Functions, Graphs (1hr15min)

English A (Year11) Written Paper 2F (1hr 30min) English A (Year11) Written Paper 2H (1hr 30min)

Thursday 19th

May

Biology Revision Session. Periods 3 & 4. FHT, REL, BSK, GEA

Thursday 19

th May 2011

French Reading F (30min) French Reading H (50min)

Biology/Science BLY2F (45min) Biology/Science BLY2H (45min) Biology/Science BLY3H (45min)

Friday 20

th May

Maths Periods 1 & 2 ANM, BNJ, AEP, MLV,

DVT, PTR

Physics Periods 3&4

MS 1

Chemistry Periods 3&4

MS 2

Physics Periods 5&6

MS 2

Chemistry Periods 5&6

MS 1 Friday

20th

May 2011 ENHANCED CURRICULUM DAY

Year 11 students only attend school for an examination or a revision session from 20th May

Monday 23

rd May

English Literature Revision Session. Periods 3&4. CEA, CTG, MRR

PE Revision Session. Periods 5&6 GTS

Monday 23

rd May 2011

GCSE Spanish Listening F (35min) GCSE Spanish Listening H (45min)

Tuesday 24

th May 2011

English Literature (Year 11) F (1hr 45min) English Literature (Year 11) H (1hr 45min)

Physical Education (Theory) (1hr 30min) Italian Listening F (35min) Italian Listening H (45min)

13

Morning Session (starting 09.00) Afternoon Session (starting (13.30)

Wednesday 25

th May 2011

Chemistry/Science CHY2F (45min) Chemistry/Science CHY2H (45min) Chemistry/Science CHY3H (45min) Applied Science Written (Year 10) (1hr 30min)

Resistant Materials (2 hours)

Thursday 26

th May

GCSE Spanish Revision Session. Periods 3 & 4. HPB

Thursday 26

th May 2011

Free Standing Maths (Calculating Finances) (1hr 15min) Free Standing Maths (Managing Money) (1 hour)

GCSE Spanish Reading F (30min) GCSE Spanish Reading H (50min)

Friday 27

th May

GCSE Business Studies Revision Session. Periods 3&4. HLB

Friday 27

th May 2011

Physics/Science PHY2F (45min) Physics/Science PHY2H (45min) Physics/Science PHY3H (45min)

Business Studies 2. Growing as a Business (1 hour)

HALF TERM HOLIDAY

Monday 6

th June 2011

Business Studies 1. Setting up a Business (Year 10) (1 hour) Product Design (Written) (2 hours)

Mathematics B Module 5 Paper 1 F (1hr 15min) Mathematics B Module 5 Paper 1 H (1hr 15min) Mathematics A Paper 1 F (1hr 30min) Mathematics A Paper 1 H (2 hours)

Tuesday 7

th June

Maths Revision Session. Periods 5 & 6.

AEP, BNJ, WNJ Tuesday

7th

June 2011 History Paper 1Essays&Sources Medicine/Germany (2 hours)

Wednesday 8

th June 2011

English Lit (New Spec) Written F (1hr15min) YEAR 10 English Lit (New Spec) Written H (1hr15min) YEAR 10

Italian Reading F (30min) Italian Reading H (50min)

Thursday 9

th June 2011

English Language (New Spec) Written F (2 hours) YEAR 10 English Language (New Spec) Written H (2 hours) YEAR 10

English (New Spec) Written F (2 hours) YEAR 10 English (New Spec) Written H (2 hours) YEAR 10

Religious Studies (Year 10) Philosophy (1hr 30min)

Friday 10

th June

GCSE Media Studies Revision. Periods 5 & 6. ESS

Friday 10

th June 2011

Mathematics B Module 5 Paper 2 F (1hr 15min)

14

Mathematics B Module 5 Paper 2 H (1hr 15min) Mathematics A Paper 2 F (1hr 30min) Mathematics A Paper 2 H (2 hours)

Monday 13

th June 2011

Mathematics B Module 1 (calculator) F (30min) Mathematics B Module 1 (calculator) H (30min) Mathematics B Module 1 (non-calculator) F (30min) Mathematics B Module 1 (non-calculator) H (30min) Geography B Dynamic Planet F (Year 10) (1hour) Geography B Dynamic Planet H (Year 10) (1hour)

Media Studies Unit 1 (2hr 15min)

Tuesday 14

th June

History Revision Session. Periods 3 & 4. MRA

Tuesday 14

th June 2011

History Paper 2(Sources) 19th Century hospitals & nursing incl. Seacole & Nightingale (1hr 30min)

Thursday 16

th June

Geography Revision Session. Periods 1 & 2. LWP

Thursday 16

th June 2011

Chinese Listening/Understanding (45min)

Friday 17

th June 2011

Geography B People & the Planet F (1 hour) Geography B People & the Planet H (1 hour)

Monday 20

th June 2011

German Listening F (35min) German Listening H (45min)

Tuesday 21

st June 2011

Mathematics B Module 3 (calculator) F (45min) Mathematics B Module 3 (calculator) H (45min) Mathematics B Module 3 (non-calculator) F (45min) Mathematics B Module 3 (non-calculator) H (45min) Chinese Reading & Understanding (50min)

Wednesday 22

nd June 2011

Textiles Written (2 hours)

Thursday 23

rd June

Food Technology Revision Session. Periods 3 & 4. BYA

Thursday 23

rd June 2011

Film Studies Unit 1 (1hr 30min) Food Technology Written (2 hours)

15

Friday 24

th June 2011

Geography B Making Geog. Decisions F (1 hour) Geography B Making Geog. Decisions F (1 hour)

Monday 27

th June

German Revision Session. Periods 3 & 4. BBJ, KYA

Monday 27

th June 2011

Film Studies Unit 2 (1 hour) German Reading F (30min) German Reading H (50min)

Tuesday 28

th June 2011

Biology BLY1A/BLY1B (30min + 30min) Chemistry CHY1A/CHY1B (30min + 30min) Physics PHY1A/PHY1B (30min + 30min)