Welcome! GCSE Information evening Thursday September 12 th 2013

1. Welcome! GCSE Information evening Thursday September 12th 2013

2. Y10 GCSE Information Evening • Welcome • Who’s who • KS4 Curriculum Handbook • Core subjects • Options subjects

3. KS4 Handbook

4. Contents

5. Subject pages

6. Core (compulsory) subject presentations • English • Maths • Science • RS • ICT

7. English

8. GCSE English • Creative writing • Non-Fiction Texts • A novel from another culture • A Shakespeare play • A selection of poetry Controlled Assessment = 40% of GCSE marks Exam = 60% of GCSE marks Programme of study English 1 GCSE Language Controlled Assessment = 40% of GCSE marks Exam = 60% of GCSE marks • A Shakespeare play compared with another text (CA) • An Inspector Calls (Exam) • Of Mice and Men (Exam) • Poetry (Exam) Literature Controlled Assessment = 25% of GCSE marks Modern Texts Exam = 40% of GCSE marks Poetry Exam = 35% of GCSE marks • Creative writing (CA) • Of Mice and Men (CA) • A study of spoken language (CA) • Reading and writing non-fiction texts (Exam) Language and Literature 2 GCSEs

9. This Year Lang/ Lit Autumn 1: Of Mice and Men Autumn 2: Spoken Language Study Spring 1: An Inspector Calls Spring 2: Non–fiction (preparation for end of year exam) Summer 1: Creative writing English Autumn 1: Creative writing Autumn 2: Of Mice and Men Spring 1: Poetry Spring 2: Non-fiction (preparation for end of year exam) Summer 1: Creative writing All students will have fortnightly non-fiction lessons throughout the year.

10. How to succeed in English: There are a variety of steps students can take - in the classroom and at home – to give themselves the best chance of success in their English GCSE(s).

11. In the classroom • Be an active learner – ask questions, share ideas, develop a personal response to texts you read. • Aim for BfL grade of B or above. • Complete all the work set. • If you don’t understand, ask the teacher either in the lesson or afterwards.

12. Outside lessons • Complete homework on time and to a high standard. • Look at the feedback in your book and act on it. • Work at addressing your targets. • Use websites like SAM Learning or Bitesize. • Read a variety of texts including fiction and non-fiction. • Do some extra research into the writers you study and the places and times in which they wrote.

13. What we can offer: • Help / catch-up sessions to assist with any class work or homework you find difficult. • Revision guides to purchase or borrow. • Recommendations if you’re unsure what to read.

14. Maths

15. The Exams • 2 Papers • Non Calculator • Calculator

16. Top Tips: Calculator • Every child needs their own scientific calculator • We recommend the Casio FX 83GT • Costs approximately £6.99

17. Mymaths • Every child has a mymaths account which we use to set them work at home. • Ask your child for their mymaths log in • You can check to see if they have done their homework • You can also see how well they did their homework

18. Revision Classes • Make sure your child attends all the afterschool revision classes • The revision classes always run from 3:45 to 4:45 once a week • The revision classes will start during the run up to the exams in year 11

19. Exam Practice • Ensure your child completes all the exam booklets they are given • Your child will be given one exam booklet a week that needs to be completed for homework • This will start during the run up to the exams in year 11

20. Revision at home • Expect your child to be working at home • They cannot rely on using just the time in school to revise to get the grade that they are capable of

21. Science

22. There are five types of Science GCSE • GCSE core science • 2. GCSE additional science • 3. GCSE biology • 4. GCSE chemistry • 5. GCSE physics • Everyone must have a GCSE in Science however the number and type is decided by teachers, students and parents. GCSE Science

23. Understanding GCSE Science Since September 2012 your child has been taught a Science GCSE, I took this decision to allow our students the time and opportunity to achieve their best grades. The top 60 pupils at the end of year 9 are invited onto the triple science course. and receive separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Completed by all pupils in Yr 9 and 10 June 2015 June 2015 June 2015 June 2015 June 2015 June 2015 1 complete GCSE Completed by most pupils in year 10 and 11 1 complete GCSE Completed by top 60 pupils June 2015 June 2015 June 2015 74 % of all pupils taking a GCSE exam in science at Neatherd get a ‘C’ or above

24. GCSE Science top tips • Organization ! • Bring the right book and equipment, along with some determination. • 2. Focus. • Scientists observe and listen, so there is no reason to miss an explanation. • 3. Homework. • It checks understandingand allows you to practise key skills. • 4. Embrace your potential. • Know your target grade and ask how to improve. • 5. Past papers and revision. • You need a revision guide and past-paper practice to succeed.

25. Society&Ethics

26. Lesson structure Students will have two different subjects (x 2 lessons per fortnight): • Life & Religion (LR) • E.g. euthanasia, community cohesion, family life • Society and Religion (SR) • E.g. war, crime, medical ethics Each subject will cover aspects of Religious Studies, PSHE and Citizenship meeting both the national guidelines for RS, PSHE and Citizenship, and the full GCSE RS qualification.

27. The exams 2 Papers Religion & Life: Based on the study of Christianity. Religion & Society: Based on the study of Christianity and Islam.

28. Top tips: Watch the news Your grade in Society & Ethics will dramatically improve if you are aware of current affairs

29. Talk about it at home Students who discuss difficult moral issues at home will have a far greater success rate at GCSE. Perhaps an interesting discussion over the dinner table regarding issues of life and death, war, crime and medical ethics.

30. Recommended revision guide We will be using the Pearson Revise Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies Guide. There will be a class set in each teaching room and guides can be accessed during lunchtime and during after school revision sessions. If students wish to buy them from us, we will be offering them for £2 from January 2014.

31. Revision classes Revision lessons will be offered for the final 12 weeks up to the end of year 11. Each topic will be covered and all students will have the opportunity to come to specific sessions relating to specific topics. These will run once a week during both lunch times and after school.

32. Revision at home Homework will not necessarily be set after every Society & Ethics lesson. However, students are expected to complete 1 hour of Society & Ethics related work each week. This will either be set as specific homework, or students will be told to revise specific topics that have been studied during that week.

33. The students’ view! • Top 10 Tips for parents!

34. Their own top 10 tips! • Quiet study area • Planned time • Advise but don’t nag! • Revision guides • Understand what they’re going through • Make sure they’re equipped • Don’t let them leave it until the night before • Make sure they SLEEP, Rest and relax • Make sure they eat well • Make sure they come to school!

35. Attendance • Of pupils who miss more than 50 per cent of school, only three per cent manage to achieve five A* to Cs including English and Maths. • Of pupils who miss between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of school, only 35 per cent manage to achieve five A* to C GCSEs including English and Maths. • Of pupils who miss less than five per cent of school, 73 per cent achieve five A* to Cs including English and Maths.

36. Attendance and Achievement In last year’s Year 11 group (2012-13) – In the bottom 25 students: TWO-THIRDS (67%) had attendance below 95% In the top 25 students: FOUR-FIFTHS (80%) had attendance over 95% HALF (50%) had attendance over 98%

37. Thank you!