A copy of this presentation will be available on the school website.

WelcomeYear 11 Information

Evening

Y11 Outcomes 2019

5+ passes at 9-4 with English and Maths 80%

80% Cotswold and 84% Balcarras (Both Ofsted ‘Outstanding’)

Passes at grades 7 to 9 (A to A*) = 28%

Y13 Outcomes 2019

Overall pass rate = 99%

First choice of University = 96%

40% to Russell Group Universities

Including Cambridge

A* to A = 21% (prediction 9%)

A to C = 82% (prediction 84%)

CHAOS ORDER

The right booksThe right equipment

PE kitHomework

Your support

Whole School Focus

• Orderly Transitions between lessons

• New timetable will take time to adjust to. Our aim is to have prompt and effective starts to lessons with the introduction of movement time between lessons. There are more students this year than in the previous 10 so movement around the school needs to be orderly

• Calm and Attentive in lessons

• This is particularly relevant for year 11 since the GCSEs are looming and we have a nit of a reputation as a chatty year group. Students deserve to not have their learning opportunities disrupted by others.

• Your help in reinforcing both of these priorities is appreciated

Reporting

Mock Report

The academic year

May

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3

OctDec

FebApr

JulSep

1

Mocks

ParentsEvening

2

Study Leave

Exams Start

Reflection on Year 10

• Vast majority of students made good starts to GCSE courses

• 64% of students achieved or exceeded their expected grade in the RS exam

• 96% of the year group enjoyed a full week of Work Experience – thank you for helping secure placements

• Many students once again represented the school magnificently in a variety of extra-curricular events and enjoyed school trips in the UK, France and South Africa and several completed Silver DofE courses.

EXPECTATIONS FOR YEAR 11

• Attendance – Attendance does impact on performance

• Behaviour – Essential for success and enjoyment of school

• Commitment – Things will get tough and students need to see things through until the end

• Make the most of the time they have left

In lessons

Homework

Revision sessions

Research Post Y11 Opportunities

Extra Curricular Opportunities

Attendance impact.

Percentage School Days School Weeks Lesson timemissed

99.4% 1 5 hours

97.3% 5 1 25 hours

94.7% 10 2 50 hours

92.1% 15 3 75 hours

89.4% 20 4 100 hours

86.8% 25 5 125 hours

84.2% 30 6 150 hours

81.5% 35 7 175 hours

78.9% 40 8 200 hours

Preparation

• Students will get study time/skills opportunities via PSHCE supported by a Revision Guidance Booklet

• Subjects will continue to teach the specifications, assess at regular intervals and communicate concerns with parents

• Lesson content will include exam technique and revision as we approach Easter

• Extra revision sessions are often offered by subjects (There was a strong correlation between those who attended RS revision sessions and student outcomes)

• The school may run a Parent Revision Advice Evening in November/December is interest is sufficient

INTERVENTIONS

• Following Data Drops 1 and 2 and the Mock Exams we may invite parents in if their child is showing signs of concern.

• Subjects may also place students who are at risk of under achieving on support plans

• Weekly monitoring of homework and behaviour (second warnings/removals) – students of concern will be placed on 2 week report which will then be reviewed

Rewards & Motivation• Hopefully students will be self motivated because they want

to do well rather than because we tell them they should be.

• Having an end goal to work towards does often help

• We will be looking for opportunities to celebrate success throughout the year.

• This years end of term event is The Y11 Prom. This is a reward for being part of the school community and contributing to it over the duration of their time at the school.

• IF students are not meeting expectations then we will tailor targets to their needs and MAY make it conditional for Prom attendance if appropriate.

• There will also be a Yearbook and Leavers Hoodie – cost for Prom/Hoodie/Yearbook approx £80

Staff changes

We said goodbye to Miss De La Cadena in July. Mr Bowman joins the team and is also the Deputy Head of Year 11. 10KDC have become 11MJB – All others remain.

Pastoral Issues – Tutor

Subject Specific – Class Teacher or HOD

Major Issues – Mr Hockey/Mr Eckersley

TERM DATESLink to term dates for this academic year on school website:

http://www.farmors.gloucs.sch.uk/Calendar-term-dates-and-school-day

Important Dates to Note This Term

• Thursday 26th September – School Open Evening so 2:25pm finish and All Prefects will be required from 4:45pm -8pm for School Tours (they can stay in school to help set up between 2:25-4:45pm)

• Friday 27th September – INSET DAY

• Mon 30th September – 6th form Open Evening 5pm-7:30pm

Talk in Main Hall at 5:15pm including info on colleges/apprenticeships not just 6th form

• Thurs 19th December – 6th form Taster Day / Local College Visits

GCSE exam dates:

Mock exams: w/c 13th January 2020

First exam: 11th May 2020

Last exam: 20th June 2020

Contingency day: 24th June 2019 (students should be available for this date)

Results: Thursday 20th August 2020

Exams Info• Students receive "statement of entry" - by 14th February (before half term). Shows

legal name that will appear on their final certificates and they will be asked to check it is correct.

• Personal final exam timetable (start times, seat numbers & rooms) - by 3rd April (before the Easter break).

• GCSE Spanish and French speaking assessments will be planned between 27th April and 25th May - teachers will confirm exact dates.

• Creative iMedia ICT (Pre-Production Skills) ICT exam 8th January 2020 (pm)

• Set 1 Level 3 Algebra Mathematics exam 9th January 2020 (am)

• Exam timetable will be on the website in October.

Study Leave

• The Leavers date will be confirmed nearer the time

• When Study Leave begins, students need only be in school for their exams and are advised to arrive well in advance of the start time

• Tea & Toast will be available at breakfast for morning exams

• Once exams are finished students may leave the site or choose to go to the allocated study room

• Once their last exam has been sat they are effectively on summer holiday

• More information concerning study leave will follow nearer the time

Post 16 pathways and career’s support

• Farmor’s Sixth Form Assembly

• Pathway assemblies

• Vocational & Apprenticeship talks - November

• Sixth form Information Open Evening - Mon 30th Sept 5-8pm

• Farmor’s Sixth Form taster Day – Thurs 19th December

• College Visit Day – Thurs 19th December

(please note external college open evening dates as well)

• Deadline for Application to Farmor’s Sixth Form – mid-January

• Opportunity to speak to Careers Co-Ordinator is available on

Your role…

• Provider of the necessary tools – stationary, a quiet place to work, access to a computer.

• Banker – paying for the above!

• Study Buddy – showing an interest in homework and revision, helping where appropriate.

• Advisor and sounding board – keep an eye on progress, celebrate achievements and help to find a positive way forward when things go less well.

• Project manager – Agree the rules for homework and revision together and then revise as necessary.

• Go-between – contact us if you think there is an issue that your child can’t or won’t raise.

Year 11 Subject specification codes (on website under Exams section)GCSE Subject Exam board Y10 19/20 Specification code

Art & Design (Fine Art) AQA 8202

Business Studies Edexcel 1BS0

Drama AQA 8261

Design & Technology- 3D Design WJEC Educas C655QS

Design & Technology- Textile Design WJEC Educas C653QS

English Literature AQA 8702

English Language AQA 8700

Food and Catering WJEC Educas 5569 Level 1 / 2 Technical Award

French Edexcel 1FR0

Geography AQA 8035

Health & Social Care OCR J811: Cambridge Nationals Certificate

History Edexcel 1HI0

Horticulture AQA Unit Award Scheme

ICT OCR J817: Creative iMedia Cambridge Nationals Certificate

Computer Science AQA 8520

Mathematics Edexcel 1MA1

Media Studies AQA 8572

Music Edexcel 1MU0

Physical Education AQA 8582

Science Double (Trilogy) AQA 8464

Science Triple- Biology AQA 8461

Science Triple- Chemistry AQA 8462

Science Triple- Physics AQA 8463

Sociology AQA 8192

Spanish Edexcel 1SP0

http://fluencycontent-schoolwebsite.netdna-ssl.com/FileCluster/FarmorsSchool/MainFolder/Exams/GCSE-Subject-specifications-for-current-Y11s-19_20.pdf

Subject specific information

Maths

• Edexcel 1MA1 Curriculum with three x 1.5 hour examinations. One non-calculator and two calculator papers.

• Some Set 1 students will sit Algebra Level 3 paper in Jan

• Students will need a scientific calculator and geometry kit.

• We recommend the Casio fx-83GT x or Casio fx-85GT x Classwiz. These are available from Amazon for £9.99.

• Revision guides and workbooks are available from the Maths department via parent pay at £3 each.

• Websites for revision

• Corbett Maths – 5 a day

• Dr Frost Maths

English

• Exams only: 2 Language, 2 Literature next summer

• Parents should already have paid for the set texts books and the Snap guides which are included in the one-off bargain price of £20. If any parents are yet to pay could they do so asap via Parent Pay

• The first assessment will be on Paper 2 Language in the final week of this half term (W/c 21st October)

• There is an optional trip to see Poetry Live in Reading in January. Letter is live on school website (may still be in Y10 area) and payment can be made via Parentpay. First come-first served - there are 58 places total.

Science• Separate Sciences (Triple Science): (3 GCSEs) students sit 6

exams (2 Biology, 2 Chemistry, 2 Physics) each lasting 1hr 45 minutes per exam paper.

• Trilogy award: (Double Science) (2 GCSEs) students sit 6 exams (2 Biology, 2 Chemistry, 2 Physics) each lasting 1hr 15 minutes per exam paper.

• Two tiers:- Higher (Level 4 - 9) and Foundation (Level 1 - 5)

• Teachers will liaise with students to indicate the most appropriate entry tier.

Science• Students are given an online Kerboodle login to

access to www.kerboodle to assist in learning.

• No coursework: 100% terminal examinations but there are compulsory practical tasks which pupils must experience in class. These may feature in the final exam.

• Purchase of CPG Revision guides and workbooks is highly recommended if this was not done last year and are available via Parent Pay

French and Spanish

• At the end of Year 11, students will be taking end-of course exams in the 4 Language Skills areas: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

• Each one constitutes 25% (a quarter) of the GCSE qualification and has its own separate exam in the form of an end-of-course paper.

• GCSE Spanish and French speaking assessments will be completed between 23rd April and 24th May - teachers will confirm exact dates.

Geography

• Letter went home last week regarding year ahead.

• Important Date change:

• Fieldtrip to Gloucester will be on Thursday 17th October 2019.

• Trip will take place within the timings of the normal school day.

• There are a number of GCSE revision guides. Make sure you order GCSE AQA syllabus versions for the new course 1 - 9.

GCSE - Computer Science

• Students have made a start towards their NEA (Non-Exam Assessment). It is anticipated the project will be completed around mid November 2019.

• All students are highly advised to keep developing their computational and programming skills outside lesson time.

• www.Snakify.org/en/

• Resources and learning material will be supplied by the department throughout the academic year.

iMedia - ICT

• Students have recently started their Controlled Assessment and it is anticipated this will be completed towards the end of April 2020.

• All three Controlled Assessment modules are worth 75% of the overall grade.

• Students will also undertake a written examination paper during their first week of studies in term 2 – Wednesday 8th January 2020 (worth 25% overall grade)

• Students are encouraged to research and develop their skills outside lesson time.

• Links to free digital applications are available on Show My Homework.

History

• Superpowers and Weimar & Nazi Germany are the two units covered in mock

• Full Exams are on 1. Crime and Punishment 2. Superpowers and Normans 3. Weimar and Nazi Germany

• There are two good revision guide series available• We can get 50% off purple ones; you can find better discounts on

white• The department has a number of purple ones at the moment and will do another order before Xmas – contactJspeake@farmors.gloucs.sch.uk ifinterested in former and the order will goOn ParentPay after half term• We also publish links to revision webResources via Show my Homework

Berlin Trip 25th-29th October

• Information and Q&A evening:

• Thursday 4th October 7-8pm

Business• Two exams at the end of Y11:

• Paper 1 – Investigating Small Business (50%)

• Paper 2 – Building a Business (50%)

• Most students already have a revision guide but if not, this is very useful to have and can be purchased through the school.

• It can be very useful to discuss business issues at home: family business, businesses in the news, new adverts, etc. This will encourage students to apply what they have learnt to real business situations.

Music

• Students should have completed Composition 1 and are now starting Composition 2 in response to a brief set by the exam board last week.

• Please encourage your child to practice the pieces they wish to perform for their solo and ensemble performances (one of each).

• We encourage students to perform in the half termly lunchtime concerts to help improve performance skills.

• Revision of set works has begun and students will be given practice exam questions in order to understand the answers they are required to give. All students should spend as much time as possible listening to the set works.

• All coursework should be complete by the end of March 2020.

Sociology

• The course will be externally examined with two 1hr 45min examinations in May 2020.

• Parents/students may wish to purchase a suggested revision guide to support learning and preparation for the mock and actual exams.

• AQA GCSE (9-1) Sociology, R. Owens and I. Woodfield, Hodder Education, 2018

• ISBN 978-1-5104-2323-7.

• An excellent resource that every Sociology student should have.

• Contains subject content, key features highlighted with valuable examiners comments and tips. There are practice questions with answers.

Physical Education

• Key Dates for practical footage:

• Deadline for summer sports was: 13th Sept

• Netball / Rugby: 10th Dec

• All other activities: 4th Feb

• Written coursework has started this term (supported in class)

• Practical moderation – towards end of Spring term (March)

• Revision Guide

• AQA GCSE (9-1) Kirk Bizley ISBN 978-1-5104-0523-3 (c.£9)

• AQA Revision smart cards – available from smartpe.co.uk (£18)

• 2 written exams (Theory) are in May

DramaThe class have 5 lesson over the two week timetable – two with Mr Newman and three with Miss Dundas.

Component Two: Devising Drama – 30%of the GCSE

• The practical exam will take place on Friday 15th November and the students will be off timetable all day.

• The performance is worth 20 marks.

• It will be assessed by Mr Newman and Miss Dundas and a video recording moderated by AQA.

• In order to prepare, students will use their lessons to rehearse and the Theatre and staff are available for extra rehearsals on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school as well as lunch times throughout the week.

• Students are expected to keep detailed written notes of their rehearsal process and complete specific written tasks as homework. These notes will be used to write their Devising Log.

• The written Devising Log is worth 40 marks.

• The deadline for the first draft Devising Log was Thursday 12th September and the deadline for the final draft is Monday 2nd December.

DramaComponent One: Understanding Drama – 40%of the GCSE

• The written Mock Exam will take place the week beginning 13th January.

• The written exam is worth 80 marks.

• Students have been preparing for the three sections of the exam Section A: Knowledge & Understanding (4 marks), Section B: Hansel & Gretel (44 marks) and Section C: Live Theatre (32 marks)

• Students are encouraged to continue to revise throughout the course and will be set written homework and revision tasks in support.

Component Three: Texts in Practice – 30%of the GCSE

• This is a purely practical exam. The students will perform two extracts from the same play for an external AQA Examiner.

• Each extract is worth 20 marks.

• The students will work on this with both teachers from December to March .

• Extra rehearsals will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school as well as lunch times throughout the week.

3D Design and Textiles Design• Individual Design Contexts across either 3D Design or Textiles specialisms. • Worth 60% of the overall grade. 40% is made up of exam which prep work begins

January 2020 and leads up to a 10 hour PRACTICAL exam.• Due to the nature of primary research, drawing and analysis tasks, students will

need to do much of this outside of lessons as their homework. Each student will have different pieces they are working on.

• Please help support the expectations on students each week by getting into a regular habit of writing notes to reflect on practical work, researching the work of others or drawing.

Key Dates

• AO1 & AO2 Contextual Understanding , experimentation and Design work – start of November 2019

• AO3 – Recording ideas using visuals/ drawings and written evaluation and analysis – this is on going and should be regularly added every week into sketchbooks

• AO4 Made products, evaluations, presentation boards – completed by December 13th.

• Final Hand in date December 19th ALL students

Art• Students are completing the coursework element ( 60% of

final grade) this term, culminating in a 5 hour mock exam on December 5th.

• Coursework consists of all work undertaken since the start of year 10, so any unfinished work must be completed by Jan 7th

• The final exam paper will be handed out at the beginning of January and the final 10 hour exam will take place on April 30th and May 1st.

• Please help support our expectation that students finish all tasks set and encourage them to utilise all their opportunities in the Art department to maximise their potential grades.

• Separate communication has been sent regarding the course and the deadlines for this term .

Thank You