INTRODUCTION

Dear Parent/Carer The next two years are very important in your child’s school career. The grades achieved in each examination subject will have a direct impact on either the next stage in their education or training. This booklet seeks to explain how

students can fulfil their potential.

parents can help.

the school will support each student. Success will be achieved by students who

have completed their coursework to the best of their ability.

have prepared thoroughly for the examination. We hope that you will find this booklet helpful. Key staff who can support you are Mrs H Rice Director of Attainment, Intervention and

Tracking Miss K Murphy Progress Leader Yours sincerely

Philip Duffy Headteacher

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YEAR 10

Work Experience 18th-22nd March 2013

Each student in Year 10 has the opportunity to experience life in the work place during this period. Students should already be considering the types of career they would like to experience. At Wallasey School we do our very best to ensure all students are allocated a first or second choice placement. Students may also arrange a self-placement, further information on this will be issued shortly.

External Examinations Modular examinations will take place in June for Maths only. It is vital that students prepare properly for these examinations. Students who miss any of these exams without a medical note will be charged for the cost of the exam.

Reports Full written reports July 2013 The reply slip provides you with an opportunity to raise any concerns that you might have regarding your son/daughter’s progress. Please sign and return to school.

GRADUATION SCHEME

To be successful in their examinations, students need to plan the completion of their work evenly throughout the rest of the year. Experience has taught us that many students find this difficult. Internal assessed work is often a major problem. Many students delay completing their internal assessed pieces of work until just before the final deadline. As a result, they often finish up stressed, and trying to meet the demands of different teachers who are competing to collect work at the same time. In many cases, internal assessment accounts for 25% of the final mark; the examination is worth three times as many marks, and so it is vital to spend an appropriate amount of time preparing for the examination. To try and overcome these problems, we have set a series of “Milestones:” for students to complete aspects of their internal assessments this year. The first milestone will be at the end of Year 10 and there will be three further milestone checks in Year 11. Year 10 milestone check – Thursday 27

th June, 2013

Students who fail to meet these “Milestones:” will be held back from lessons to catch up. Parents will be involved and students given the support needed to get back on track. Teachers will then spend the remaining time preparing students for their examinations. During this period, teachers will be checking students understanding of the topics covered and ensuring that students know how to answer questions to ensure that they get the best marks possible.

MATHEMATICS

Students in Year 10 follow the Edexcel Linear specification at either foundation or higher level. The course covers: Number Algebra Statistics Geometry

Questions have an increased focus on: Applying mathematics in context Problem solving and reasoning The functional elements of mathematics

The first opportunity to sit the exam is in June 2013. Homework is set each week and will either be MyMaths or past paper questions. How parents can help Parents can help by encouraging students to: Arrive to lessons on time, with a pen, pencil and ruler.

You need to know your own login and password. See your subject tutor if you do not know it.

Complete all homework, using F47 at lunchtimes for support with MyMaths homework if necessary.

Buy a scientific calculator for use at home, along with a protractor and compass. Students are allowed to use a calculator in the second of the two papers.

Buy a revision guide from Miss Bell in F8. A revision guide, plus workbook and answers, is available for £6.50.

Buy a MathsWatch DVD from Miss Bell in F8 for £4.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LITERATURE Controlled Assessment Requirements: English Language – 60% of final grade English Literature – 25% of final grade Students are asked to produce assessment work in school, in which they show their ability to write for different purposes, using a wide range of engaging vocabulary. They must also analyse the techniques used by writers in texts and explore comparisons between texts. Evidence from texts must be analysed linguistically. Spoken Language In English Language, students are required to show their ability to speak in different contexts. They must also explore examples of spoken language and the styles of talk. Milestones: End of Year 10: Students will have completed their English Language Controlled Assessments and will be working towards their English Language exams. They will have completed their English Literature Controlled Assessment and be working towards their English Literature Exams. They will also begin to take part in Speaking and Listening assignments to prepare them for assessment. How parents can help Parents can help by: ensuring students attend all lessons. ensuring they complete work set by teachers to move learning

on and meet deadlines effectively. supporting them to use a dictionary, thesaurus and

encyclopaedia for reference at home (or online versions). encouraging them to read newspapers, magazines and

advertisements at home exploring fact, opinion and bias.

ART

Controlled Assessment Requirements (60% final grade)

Students will be assessed on a portfolio of work and they must display their coursework as an exhibition. In addition, there is a controlled examination and papers for this will be issued in Year 11 during the week beginning January 1st, following which students will have a number of weeks to prepare for the ten hour examination. This will take place during lesson time.

In order to achieve higher grades, students should demonstrate

a good standard of drawing. skilful work showing control of media (e.g. paint, pastel, dye

and pencil). experimentation with media. research using a range of sources e.g. books, galleries,

internet and magazines. planning which shows development of ideas. knowledge of different artists. knowledge of different kinds of work from other cultures.

Milestones: End of Year 10: One project and all homework fully completed. How parents can help Parents can help by encouraging students to: complete all homework/coursework. complete research at home using a variety of books,

magazines and information from the internet. visit galleries and take photographs to support the coursework

and examination. collect materials relevant to their chosen project to support

their work such as pencils, felt tips, paints etc.

BTEC FIRST EXTENDED CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS STUDIES Year 10 Unit 1 – Business Purpose (5 Credits) The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand the nature of business organisations and the business environment in which they operate. Unit 16: Business Enterprise (10 Credits) The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand the skills needed to set up and run a business, the regulations to be met and the need for a detailed business plan. Year 11 A further three units will be studied in Year 11. Assessment Requirements - Students will be assessed through the submission of assignments for each unit. Milestones: End of Year 10: Completion of Unit 1 and 16 meeting with their target grades. How parents can help Parents can help by: encouraging students to keep up with deadlines and develop

writing skills. encouraging students to access business web sites. encouraging students to keep up to date with current affairs

using the national press and watching the news.

CATERING

The Catering course is assessed through

1) Two Practical Tasks (worth 60% total marks)

2) Written Exam (worth 40% total marks). Practical Assessments (60%)

One Practical Task (20%) will be completed during the Spring and Easter term in Year 10. This will be of 15 hours duration. The second Practical Task (40%) will be completed during the Autumn term of Year 11. This will be of 30 hours duration. Milestones:

End of Year 10: Participate in practical lessons and complete written tasks in class and for homework. Attempt all exemplar questions in preparation for the written exam. Successfully complete all the assessment requirements for the first Practical Task. How parents can help

Parents can help by: encouraging students to shop with you. To look and become

familiar with foods in the supermarket – especially unusual cheeses, fruit and vegetables, less popular fish and expensive cuts of meat and appreciate food costs.

collecting new recipes from Supermarket magazines and trial them at home.

asking your child to prepare the meals at weekends and be prepared for new ideas!

asking for a copy of menus or publicity materials when you visit restaurants and enquire about ingredients and methods used to prepare the food

encouraging students to watch food programmes on television e.g. ‘Jimmy’s Food Factory’ If there are problems with the provision of ingredients, please write to the teacher concerned, so we can help.

BTEC First Extended Certificate in Performing Arts (Dance) BTEC First Extended Certificate in Performing Arts Dance consists of one mandatory unit plus two optional units. Mandatory Unit Performing Dance This unit is about rehearsing and performing choreographed dances. Learners must undertake regular classes, learn different dance styles, absorb choreography made by others, and rehearse and take part in performances. Optional Units Contemporary Dance This unit is about developing technical dance skills in the contemporary dance style. Learners will take regular technique class and have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in class and in performance. Exploring Urban Dance Style (Street dance/Break Dance/ Hip Hop) The aim of this unit is to develop learner’s knowledge of urban styles. Learners will explore the different dance styles available and acquire the underpinning knowledge of the basic physical and interpretative skills of these styles. Milestones: End of Year 10: Completed two units: Contemporary Dance and Exploring Urban Dance Styles How parents can help Parents can help by encouraging students to: participate in school performance and extra-curricular clubs. bring kit to every lesson and attend after school practice and

dinner time sessions.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY: PRODUCT DESIGN

Controlled Assessment Requirements (60% final grade)

Students will be assessed on a 45 hour ‘design-and-make’ project for which they must produce research, ideas, final idea, evidence of planning, practical work and evaluation of the final product. They will work on A3 paper and produce approximately 20-22 sheets of work, which will be transferred to a power point presentation.

In order to achieve higher grades, students must follow the guidelines issued by the Design and Technology teachers and always ask for help. Milestones: End of Year 10: Design Brief, Task Analysis, Research Plan. Product Research, Analysis of Research. Primary Product Analysis, Secondary Product Analysis. How parents can help Parents can help by: checking that students are meeting all the required deadlines. providing materials (where possible) for practical work.

Students would also benefit from a Design and Technology Revision Guide. The recommended textbook is “Product Design” published by Lonsdale.

BTEC FIRST EXTENDED CERTIFICATE IN PERFORMING ARTS (DRAMA)

Practical work Students will be assessed on practical work in groups. They are marked on their contribution to the rehearsal process and their final performance: Devised plays. Monologues Scripted plays Performances in contrasting acting styles

Marks are awarded for both preparation and performance. In order to achieve higher grades, students should use appropriate vocal and physical skills, with clarity and control. They have chance to improve their marks throughout the course. Written work Written work must accompany all the practical work. This is often in the form of a log book, documenting their knowledge of Drama skills, research, character/interpretation notes and also an evaluation of their performances. Milestones: End of Year 10: Completed performances and written log books for all 3 units: Acting skills (monologues and group pieces) Scripted plays Devised plays in contrasting styles How parents can help Parents can help by encouraging students to: attend regularly in order to contribute to the group pieces. rehearse at lunch time or after school with their drama teacher. learn lines for scripted pieces. attend live theatre performances.

FASHION AND TEXTILES

Controlled Assessment Requirements (60% final grade)

Students will be assessed on a portfolio of work and they must display their coursework as an exhibition. In addition, there is a controlled examination and papers for this will be issued in Year 11 during the month of January. Following which students will have a number of weeks to prepare for the ten hour examination. This will take place during lesson time.

In order to achieve higher grades, students should demonstrate

a good standard of drawing. skilful work showing control of media (e.g. paint, pastel, dye

and pencil). experimentation with media. research using a range of sources e.g. books, galleries,

internet and magazines. planning which shows development of ideas. knowledge of different artists. knowledge of different kinds of work from other cultures.

Milestones: End of Year 10: Two projects and all homework fully completed. How parents can help Parents can help by encouraging students to: complete all homework/coursework. complete research at home using a variety of books,

magazines and information from the internet. visit galleries and take photographs to support the coursework

and examination. collect materials relevant to their chosen project to support

their work for example – fabrics, beads, sequins, threads etc.

FRENCH

Controlled Assessment Requirements (30% final grade) Students will be assessed on TWO written tasks (of approximately 200-350 words in total for grades D to G, or 400-600 words in total for grades A* to C). The two pieces of coursework are to be produced under examination conditions. In order to achieve the higher grades, students must be able to justify and express opinions; the use of extended sentences is essential. Equally, students must be able to express themselves in three time frames: past, present and future. A Speaking test will represent 30% of the final grade. The other 40% will take the form of a Listening and a Reading test (20% each). To supplement classroom practice, this can be revised online or at home with revision books. Milestones: End of Year 10: Complete one written piece of coursework. How parents can help Parents can help by encouraging students to: complete all homework on time. use a suitable dictionary for reference at home (The French

School Dictionary published by Collins is recommended). regularly learn vocabulary.

GEOGRAPHY

Controlled Assessment Requirements (25% final grade) Students will be assessed on one geographical enquiry based on Rivers or Tourism in North Wales. The projects should be no more than 2000 words and contain supporting graphs and maps. These controlled assessments will be completed under exam conditions over several weeks, students are expected to complete their own independent research during the assessment period. In order to achieve higher grades, students should present the project in sections.

1. Hypothesis (written and explained). 2. Methods (description of what was done, when, where, with

whom and how data was processed). 3. Results (results communicated in the form of sketch maps,

tally charts, bar charts, pie charts, etc and problems encountered with the techniques).

4. Conclusions (agreement or disagreement with the hypothesis, field evidence, explanations etc).

Milestones: End of Year 10: Complete the controlled assignment by May half term. How parents can help Parents can help by encouraging students to: act upon the guidance offered by the teachers. use GCSE BBC Bitesize website. access past paper questions and revision aides on i-learn. purchase a GCSE revision guide from the Geography

department.

GERMAN

Controlled Assessment Requirements (30% final grade) Students will be assessed on TWO written tasks (of approximately 200-350 words in total for grades D to G, or 400-600 words in total for grades A* to C). The two pieces of coursework are to be produced under examination conditions. In order to achieve the higher grades, students must be able to justify and express opinions; the use of extended sentences is essential. Equally, students must be able to express themselves in three time frames: past, present and future. A Speaking test will represent 30% of the final grade. The other 40% will take the form of a Listening and a Reading test (20% each). To supplement classroom practice, this can be revised online or at home with revision books. Milestones: End of Year 10: Complete one written piece of coursework. How parents can help Parents can help by encouraging students to: complete all homework on time. use a suitable dictionary for reference at home (The German

School Dictionary published by Collins is recommended). regularly learn vocabulary.

BTEC FIRST EXTENDED CERTIFICATE IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

This is a BTEC qualification which is equivalent to two GCSE A*- C. There are no external examinations. All units are assessed through written coursework tasks. Coursework Requirements Students will be assessed on four units of coursework.

1. Communication in Health and Social Care 2. Individual Needs in Health and Social Care. 3. Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care. 4. Human Lifespan Development. 5. Ensuring Safe Environments in Health and Social Care.

Milestones: End of Year 10: Students must complete the assessment criteria for Units 1 and 2 How parents can help Parents can help by encouraging students to: check and proof read all coursework thoroughly. attend and be fully engaged in all lessons. complete written class work and homework tasks.

HISTORY Controlled Assessment Requirements (25%) This piece of work is now renamed – “Historical Enquiry.” Candidates will submit their responses to two questions on Britain in the twentieth century. They will write approximately 2000 words to answer two Historical Enquiry questions. This will be done as a controlled assessment during lessons, over a total period of time of about 4 hours. Wallasey School History Department will mark this assessment, and then the marking will be moderated by an examiner from the AQA Exam Board. A general overview of the topic will be taught by staff, and concentrate heavily on analysing and evaluating a range of sources, and how aspects of the past have been interpreted in different ways. Candidates will be given at least 10 hours research overall. Milestones: End of Year 10: Students should have completed and sat mock examinations for all Paper 1 (International History) Units. The first Depth Study (Paper 2: The USA in the 1920’s) should also be completed. How parents can help Parents can help by encouraging students to: use a variety of sources from the internet and libraries. discuss ideas and interpretations with them. help them record their work in the “Research Diary”. encourage students to meet all deadlines.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Coursework Requirements The ICT course is assessed through:- Year 10 Coursework tasks Unit 1, 2 and 21. Year 11 Coursework tasks : Further two units. This is graded at pass, merit and distinction.

Year 10 Coursework Unit 1- ICT Skills for Business Students have the opportunity to create business documents to help in the organizing of a school trip to France. Students will use search engines to research health and safety guidance with computers, travel options and also work out the costing options for the trip using spreadsheets. Students will also make use of databases in handling student information for the trip. Unit 2 – Web Creation Students will plan, design and create multimedia webpages for a specific purpose. They will include text, image, graphics and a method of navigation. Learners will be expected to test and evaluate their webpages based on purpose and suitability. Unit 21- Web graphics Students will have the opportunity to review several existing multimedia graphics and from this design new graphics for a purpose. Students will then source and store suitable multimedia elements to help create the graphics. Students will then present their graphics in a suitable webpage to demonstrate their features. Milestones: End of Year 10: Units 1, 2 and 21 to be completed. How parents can help Parents can help by: checking that students are meeting all the required deadlines.

MEDIA STUDIES

Controlled Assessment Requirements (60% final grade) Students complete one GCSE throughout this two year course, with an option for exceptional students to undertake a second GCSE. In the first year students will complete two controlled assessments from Unit 2: Understanding the Media (60%) before beginning the third assessment. In the second year students complete the third controlled assessment for Unit 2: Understanding the Media before beginning the process of redrafting. All students will then be given the opportunity to sit the Unit 1: Investigating the Media examination. Outstanding students who achieve at least A grades in both Units 1 and 2 will sit the second GCSE which consists of Unit 3: Exploring Media Industries (40%) and Unit 4: Responding to a Media Brief (60%). In order to achieve higher grades, students should develop competencies in recognising, analysing and evaluating media forms and language, representations, media institutions and audience. Milestones: End of Year 10: Completion of Assignment 1 ‘Comics’. Completion of Assignment 2 ‘Horror’. Beginning of Assessment 3 ‘Magazines’. How parents can help Parents can help by: encouraging students to check, proof read and correct work.

providing as many examples of specific media form e.g.

newspapers, magazines etc… to support their study.

BTEC FIRST EXTENDED CERTIFICATE IN MUSIC Coursework Requirements (100% of the overall marks) This course is made up of 4 units; two core units and two specialist units.

Unit 1 - Working in the music industry (core).

Unit 2 - Professional development in the music industry (core).

Unit 4 - Solo Musical Performance (specialist).

Unit 5 - Exploring Musical Composition (specialist). Year 10 Unit 4 - Solo Musical Performance For this unit students will have the opportunity to perform music. They will learn how to choose appropriate materials to play or sing and prepare for performances.

Unit 5 - Exploring Musical Composition For this unit students will have the opportunity to compose music. They will learn how to create musical ideas and develop them into complete compositions. The remaining two units will be completed in Year 11.

Milestones: End of Year 10: Students will have recorded at least 1 performance and have a draft of their final composition.

How parents can help Parents can help by providing: access to an instrument (a keyboard or piano is useful for

composition). a quiet area where students can concentrate and practice. encouragement, with regular practice for performances. encourage your child to attend school ensembles and take part

in performances.

BTEC FIRST EXTENDED CERTIFICATE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION Coursework Requirements (100% of the overall marks) Students will study 3 units during Year 10:

Fitness Testing and Training.

Practical Sport.

Anatomy and Physiology for Sport. In order to achieve higher grades, students should

participate in the school’s extra-curricular activities, especially in activities were the student needs additional practice.

join sports clubs outside school and consider taking officiating/coaching awards.

complete all homework assignments and ask for help when unsure or having difficulty with the work.

maintain concentration in theory lessons. Milestones: End of Year 10: Students should have completed and passed all the assignment tasks that have been set throughout the year. How parents can help Parents can help by: ensuring coursework assignments are completed and handed

in on time. ensuring regular participation in practical activities. encouraging an appreciation of the wider world of sport.

Useful Websites www.edexcel.com www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize www.brianmac.demon.co.uk - Sportscoach www.pponline.co.uk - Peak Performance Website www.skysports.com - News/Current sporting issues

PHILOSOPY, ETHICS, RELIGION

All students will undertake either a full course or a short course in this subject. All the students will look at the following topics: Religion and Conflict – Is war ever justified, Pacifism, Non Violent Protest, Reconciliation. Religion and Medicine – Euthanasia, Abortion, IVF, Embryology, Free Will.

Religious Expression – Pilgrimage, Community, Faith, Sacred Places, Religion and the Media. Authority – Human Rights, Capital Punishment, Justice. The course will offer a stimulus for candidates to explore their beliefs, creative abilities, insights, self identity and self worth. It also offers students the opportunity to recognise and value the world and others, as well as developing the ability to make responsible judgments on significant moral teaching and issues. Students will be completing all exams at the end of Year 11. There is no coursework. Milestones: End of Year 10: Students will complete an end of Unit Assessment. Future career prospects: Medicine, Law, Politics, Social work, Teaching, Journalism Useful Revision sites http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ www.bbc.co.uk/religion

BTEC CERTIFICATE/EXTENDED CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE Coursework Requirements (100% final grade) The certificate is equivalent to 1 GCSE and a PASS (1xC), MERIT(1xB) or DISTINCTION (1xA). The Extended Certificate is equivalent to two GCSE A*- C and is awarded a PASS (2xC), MERIT (2xB) or DISTINCTION (2xA). The Diploma is equivalent to four GCSE A*- C and is awarded PASS (4 x C), MERIT (4 x B) or DISTINCTION (4 x A). In Year 10 students study units on: Chemistry Physics Biology

Each unit has assignments to be completed to a set of criteria. There are key deadlines in January and May when whole units are expected to be complete. All work has to be submitted by the end of May for final marking and grading. The students will be given deadlines for each individual task for each of these assignments. Milestones: End of Year 10: To complete set assignments and re-submit amended work for those units studied. How parents can help Parents can help by: ensuring students are up to date with all assignments.

SCIENCE (All subjects) Controlled Assessment Requirements (25% final grade) There is no coursework to be done at home in Science. The practical assessment is very important but is done in school within normal lesson time. However, there will be preparation work to be completed, for example, to learn the meaning of key words, graph and table drawing practice. Students will be given plenty of warning when the Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) will take place and should make every effort to be in all science lessons at this time. Students undertaking Core Science and Additional Science will sit three exams in the Summer of 2013 and three exams in the Summer of 2014. These examination results contribute to the GCSE grade at the end of the course. Milestones: End of Year 10: Completed ISA. How parents can help Parents can help by: checking that all the correct scientific terminology is learnt and

understood. encouraging students to read and watch documentaries about

science issues in the news media. encouraging students to apply key terms to specific situations. purchasing the relevant revision guide.

Useful Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/