GCSE Information Evening

1. GCSE Information Evening for Pupils in Year 9

2. Order of Presentation • Mr R Gilpin (Headteacher) • introduction • Miss K Foster (Deputy Headteacher) • what happens next? How you can help your child? • Miss P Sharma (Science) • Mrs L Davies (English) • Mrs M Stevens (Maths) • Mrs E Bottell (SENCO) • Mrs J Pitt – (Assistant Head) • Data and tracking

3. What are GCSEs? Background • In years 7 and 8 pupils follow the National Curriculum for keystage 3 • At the end of Year 8 pupils choose 4 optional courses • Most pupils will take GCSE courses, with some following BTEC or other vocational courses

4. GCSEs • Students in Year 9 will now be working with the three-year Keystage 4 programme. • The new GCSE syllabuses are largely 100% examined, although practical subjects still have coursework as elements. • BTEC courses continue to be coursework based – with an examined element.

5. The Core Curriculum All pupils take: • English English language, English literature • Mathematics • Science Double Award Science

6. Additional Core Subjects All pupils also have the following provision: • Religious education (GCSE) • Physical education • PSHE • Careers • Citizenship Plus their 4 optional subjects

7. GCSE Grades • All new GCSEs will now be graded from 9-1 with 9 being the highest grade and 1 the lowest. • A grade 4 is a standard pass, and a grade 5 is a strong pass.

8. GCSE Grades – Post-16 • Many Level 3 courses require a B grade to get onto them (grade 5 or 6 – see provider). • This includes A levels and diplomas. • Many courses and colleges require 5 good passes including English and maths – this will be grade 4 or 5 depending on the course and the provider. • This is the minimum requirement for most Level 3 courses and many higher apprenticeships.

9. BTEC courses are vocationally based and each one counts as one GCSE They are mostly assignment-based with some examined material They are graded using Pass, Merit and Distinction which broadly equated to GCSE grades 4, 5.5 and 7. BTEC courses

10. More about the Core Subjects • Science – Miss P Sharma • English - Mrs L Davies • Maths – Mrs M Stevens

11. Science 2019 – 21 Combined Science Triple Science

12. GCSE Science – Ms Sharma • At Pittville, Year 9 students are now embarking on the AQA Science GCSE course. • For those who study AQA Combined GCSE Science, the course consists of the main three science disciplines: • Biology (33% of grade in Combined Science) • Chemistry (33% of grade in Combined Science) • Physics (33% of grade in Combined Science)

13. GCSE Science – Ms Sharma • At Pittville, Year 9 students are now embarking on the AQA Science GCSE course. Those who choose Triple Science as an option will study AQA Triple Science and the course consists of three separate GCSEs in the main science disciplines: • Biology • Chemistry • Physics

14. GCSE Science • Each discipline will be divided equally between years 9, 10 and 11 for all students. • There is no coursework (or controlled assessment) so the final qualification is based on examinations only. • There will be a number of required practical activities for each course which will be assessed during the final examinations (attendance to these is essential).

15. GCSE ScienceBiology This subject consists of a number of topics including: • Cell biology • Organisation • Infection and response • Bioenergetics • Homeostasis and response • Inheritance, variation and evolution • Ecology

16. GCSE ScienceChemistry This subject consists of a number of topics including: • Atomic structure and the periodic table • Bonding, structure and the properties of matter • Quantitative chemistry • Chemical changes • Energy changes • The rate and extent of chemical change • Organic chemistry • Chemical analysis • Chemistry of the atmosphere • Using resources

17. GCSE SciencePhysics This subject consists of a number of topics including: • Forces • Energy • Waves • Electricity • Magnetism and electromagnetism • Particle model of matter • Atomic structure • Space physics (Triple Science only)

18. Science in Year 11 • During Year 11, all GCSE students will complete their courses for each of the three disciplines and will begin a comprehensive revision programme. • Throughout the courses, there will be regular assessments to monitor students’ progress and help them improve, in preparation for the final exams in year 11.

19. Science Assessment • There will be 6 exam papers at the end of year 11. There will be two papers for biology, two for chemistry and two for physics. • Each of the Combined Science papers will be 1 hour and 15 minutes long, and each of the Triple Science papers will be 1 hour and 45 minutes long. • This is designed to further knowledge and skills in Science and is acceptable for entry on to Science A-level courses.

20. Revision Guides • At the start of the GCSE courses, students will be offered the opportunity to purchase revision guides. • As a school, we are able to secure substantial discounts which would not be available in high street shops.

21. GCSE English 2018-2021 GCSE English Language GCSE English Literature Mrs Louise Davies Head of Communications Faculty

22. GCSE ENGLISH • Students will work towards TWO GCSE courses in their English lessons: • GCSE English Language • GCSE English Literature

23. English Curriculum Overview AQA GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TWO exam papers: • Paper 1 (50%) ‘Exploration in Creative Reading and Writing’ (1 hour 45 minutes) • Paper 2 (50%) ‘Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives’ (1 hour 45 minutes)

24. English Curriculum Overview AQA GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE TWO exam papers: Paper 1 (40%) ‘Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel’ (1 hour 45 minutes) Paper 2 (60%) ‘Modern Texts and Poetry’ (2 hours 15 minutes)

26. English Curriculum Overview Biggest changes: • No coursework or controlled assessment • The focus is on creating independent readers and writers • No set books are allowed in the exam room • NO TIERS – everyone sits the same exam • NUMBER grades will be used 1 – 9 • Spoken Language (old style Speaking and Listening) will still be completed but will not form part of the final mark or grade. This is endorsed on their final certificate. • Early entry for Year 10 May 2018 (GCSE English Literature)

27. How can you help your child in English? • Please encourage your child to read a variety of different texts at home • Talk to them about what they are doing in the English classroom and the books they are studying • Encourage them to look at helpful revision websites, revision guides and recommended films of their set texts • Encourage students to talk to their class teacher/ English Department if they need support

28. Mathematics 2018-21 GCSE Mathematics GCSE Statistics Mrs Mandy Stevens

29. GCSE Mathematics • All students will work towards GCSE mathematics in their mathematics lessons • Those students who have chosen additional maths as an option will complete GCSE Statistics at the end of year 10

30. Mathematics overview 2018-21 • Two Tiers of entry • Higher Tier, grades achievable 9 to 4 • Foundation Tier, grades achievable 5 to 1 These numbers replace the old A* to G grades • 100% examination no coursework or class assessments

31. Mathematics overview 2018- 21 Edexcel GCSE mathematics Three exam papers: • Paper 1 Non Calculator 80 marks (1 hour 30 minutes) • Paper 2 Calculator 80 marks (1 hour 30 minutes) • Paper 3 Calculator 80 marks (1 hour 30 minutes)

32. Mathematics overview 2018-21 Biggest changes: • Number grades rather than letters • The volume and difficulty of the subject content has increased for both tiers. • 3 exams rather than 2, each lasting 90minutes. • Students will be required to memorise formulae.

33. How can you help your child in Mathematics? • Please encourage your child to practise basic skills. • Make sure your child completes all homework set on time. • Encourage them to look at helpful revision websites and revision guides. • Urge your child to talk to their class teacher/Maths Department if they need support.

34. SEND 2018 – 21 SENDCo – Miss E Bottell BTEC/Study Support Access Arrangements

35. Pittville Learning Centre • Foundation Level learning opportunities for students • Provides access to Post 16 study • Additional time to secure grades in other ‘core’ subjects • Personalised learning pathways

36. Pittville Learning Centre • SEND Faculty • Lead TAs for individuals who can coach/support during exams • Homework Club – Mon/Tues/Thurs (for those identified)

37. Additional support • Access Arrangements are on-going • Represents a young person’s ‘normal way of working’ • Homework and coursework/controlled assessment support including use of laptop, reader scribe etc. • Tutor support during prep time • Focused in class support

38. Data Tracking 2018 – 21 Mrs J Pitt Student Tracking

39. 95%

40. Attitude To Learning (ATL) • GRADE C (Requires Improvement) • Arrives late on occasions, does not always have book and other necessary equipment • Needs to be reminded to get books out and be ready to start the lesson • Talks when should be listening, therefore does not always know what they should to be doing or how to do it • Work is not always completed to an appropriate standard, with a lack of care and effort • H/W sometimes late, not completed or of an inappropriate standard • Low level disruption

41. Key Dates • Wk Beg 17/12/18 • 20/3/19 • Wk Beg 1/4/19 • Wk Beg 6/5/19 • 3/6/19 – 21/6/19 • Wk Beg 15/7/19 Subject Report Parents evening Progress Report Exam timetable issued Year 9 exams End of Year Report

42. How to help your child through their GCSEs A parents guide

43. What can I do to help my child? • Research has shown that pupil attainment is highly influenced by parent support • The greatest improvement in grades comes from parent support at home

44. What can I do to help my child? • Attendance • Equipment – do they have everything they need for school, especially if they have controlled assessments or exams • Organisation – a lot more is expected of pupils in Year 10 and they may need help • Make sure there is somewhere quiet they can study

45. Where to work when at home? • Ideally where they can be observed • Needs to be at a table or desk • Not where they can see a TV • Music can help, but should not be distracting • No access to games consoles such as Playstation or Wii • Not too much time on the computer

46. What can I do to help my child? • Take an interest • Work with teachers • Keep your child focused on where they want to be at the end of Year 11 • Be there for them if they have worries or are finding the work difficult • Keep them aware of these study tips:

47. Study tips • Plan homework and revision and manage time well – don’t start every task the day before it is due in • Work in 30 minute chunks and then take a SHORT break to refresh the mind • But - keep working on one task until it is complete – swapping tasks confuses the brain! • Revision works best when done little and often – START EARLY! whether for tests or exams.

48. Study tips • Don’t work late at night • Put away distractions – especially mobile phones, laptops, X-boxes etc…… • Healthy living works – plenty of sleep, eat properly and drink plenty of water • Use school staff for help and advice!

49. “Our Pact” ourpact.com • Take control of your child’s screen time! • ourpact.com allows you to • Block child’s Internet  • Block child’s apps  • Schedule Internet and app use according to your child’s daily routine • Establish screen-free bedtime, dinnertime, study time and family time • Block Internet and apps at-a-touch

50. Showmyhomework • Your child should have given you a copy of their Showmyhomework slip, which includes a PIN for you, as parents to log on to. • Showmyhomework can be used online or downloaded as an APP • You, and your child can set up notifications and use the site to help organise work. • You can also access the site through the School Website – although this will be for the whole school, rather than dedicated to one student.