Information Evening for Year 12 Parents Tuesday 8 Sept M e t a m o r p h o s i s

Transcription

1 A Information Evening for Year 12 Parents Tuesday 8 Sept 2015 M e t a m o r p h o s i s

2 Agenda for this presentation Overview of the next two years A level course structure, assessment & the importance of Year 12 The challenges of A level study and our support for students Focus on Study Skills Ipad Strategy and the Sixth Form Summary and questions

3 Overview of next two years September 2015 Commence AS courses Various times AS controlled assessments and /or practical units Feb 2016 AS Mock Examinations May/June 2016 AS examinations June/July 2016 Commence university application process (UCAS), or alternative options August 2016 AS results published Sept Choose 3 subjects for A Level Sept. Nov Finalise university applications (or alternatives) Jan 2017 A2 Mock Examinations June 2017 A2 examinations (+ resits in modular subjects) August 2017 A level results published

4 Course structure Year 12: Four AS levels with 2 or 3 units in each subject (may include controlled assessments / practical units) Year 13: Typically three subjects taken to A2, again with 2 or 3 units in each subject (may include controlled assessments / practical units) Modular Subject- Final A level grade based on the sum of the AS and A2 results with each year counting for 50%. Linear Subject- Final A level grade based on A level units ONLY. The AS qualification does not count towards the A Level grade.

5 Subjects Linear Art and design Biology Chemistry Computer science Economics English literature History Physics Psychology Sociology Modular Drama and theatre Geography Ethics and Philosophy Further Mathematics Mathematics Modern foreign languages Music Physical education Product design

6 How are Modular AS levels and A levels assessed and graded? All raw examination and coursework marks are converted to a UMS score (UMS = Uniform Mark Scheme) Maximum UMS score for a 3 unit AS is 300 Maximum UMS score for a 6 unit A level (AS + A2) is 600 Maximum scores for 2 / 4 unit courses are 200 and 400 Grade A B C D E U (80%) (70%) (60%) (50%) (40%) AS UMS /300 A level UMS / < <240

7 Example 1: student taking AS Mathematics in Year 12 This subject along with the other Sciences and Maths have three units at AS and 3 units (Max 300 UMS at AS) Unit 4751 C1 62/100 Unit 4752 C2 63/100 Unit 4766 S1 60/100 TOTAL 185/300 62% Grade C

8 Example 1 continued: Year 13 Student has 185/300 from AS units If aiming for grade B at A level would need a total UMS of 420/600 (70%) = 235 more UMS marks needed Total of 300 available from A2 units so would need 235/300 = 78% from A2 units Re-sitting an AS unit can help (but note this does not change the AS grade awarded). Can only be taken in June with A2 units. Coursework / practical re-sit option generally NOT available Note: to get a grade A at A level this student would require = 295 i.e. 98% at A2 (very challenging!)

9 Example 2: student taking AS Philosophy & Ethics in Year 12 Unit 1: Philosophy 51/100 Unit 2: Ethics 65/100 Total 116/200 58% Grade D

10 Example 2 continued: Year 13 Student has 116/200 from AS units If aiming for grade B at A level would need a total of 280/400 (70%) = 164 more UMS marks needed Total of 200 available from A2 units so would need 164/200 = 82% from A2 units Again, re-sitting an AS unit could help (but note this does not change the AS grade awarded) Note: to get a grade A at A level this student would require = impossible without resits

11 The A* grade at A2 Awarded for the first time in 2010 Need to have an overall grade A at A2 and average over 90% in across the A2 units No A* at AS level

12 This year is hugely important: AS courses lay the ground for A2 Progression to A2 dependent on achievement at AS: students with a U grade will not normally progress to A2 All AS grades will be on university applications (UCAS) This year provides the evidence for predicted grades for UCAS University offers are dependent on AS grades & predicted grades

13 Target grades Mean GCSE score (A*=58, A=52, B=46, C=40 etc) Minimum target AS level grades /UCAS points (A=60, B=50, C=40, D=30, E=20)

14 Converting AS grades to A level results (LGS 2013) AS Grade A level Grade A* A B C D E U A B C D E U Total No

15 GCSE and AS level study: What is the difference? Expectation of independent learning Productive private study in school and at home Course content much deeper and more intellectually demanding Success demands consistent effort through the year Cannot recover lost ground in final few weeks before examinations Revision needs to have started now.

16 Independent Learning Take personal responsibility for progress Be organised to use private study time at school and at home productively. Part-time job- no more than 8hrs per week (outside school hours). Home study concession (conditional!) Plan carefully to work on coursework assignments and meet deadlines Students should commit to spend as much time on their studies outside lessons as they do in lessons Each subject area currently developing independent study approach to selected topic(s) in syllabus Opportunity to carry out an Extended Project

17 Independent Learning Student Handbook Magic Wand Information Study Skills session and follow up tutorial activities Individual contracts Tracking/Monitoring Specifications Wider reading 3hrs each evening Strategies for focused study Asking teachers for help Revision from day one.

18 Study Skills Sessions Two sessions: Study Sensei : Thursday 17 September 2015 Ace Your Exams : Thursday 7 January 2016

19 Monitoring Progress Bridging Work- assessed broadly- after 2 wks Individual subject interviews/ Pastoral Reviewafter 6 wks Students write a pastoral review Parent/teacher consultation 08 December and 17 March AS Mocks- WB 08 February Pastoral Intervention and Mentoring available

20 Support from home Reinforce the messages about personal organisation and regular commitment of time to personal study Help to identify good times (and places) for study Support good working practices e.g. an hour s quality study followed by a ten minute break etc.

21 Support from school Study mentoring (Ms J Ray) Careers Guidance Manager (Mrs C Golding) Teachers Tutors Higher Education toolkit- ODRIVE/SIXTH FORM RESOURCES/UCAS Deputy Head of Sixth Form- Ms S Gibbins (Tel sallygibbins@lgs.slough.sch.uk) Head of Sixth Form: Ms H Makowski (Tel helenamakowski@lgs.slough.sch.uk)

22 Beyond the curriculum The Sixth Form is also about gaining broader experience and developing as a well rounded individual: Enrichment opportunities Participation in sport / community service / mentoring projects Student Leadership Reading around subjects..

23 Beyond the curriculum: more ideas University websites: News, blogs, podcasts Reading lists Public lectures, conferences, summer schools, taster courses Radio 4 on iplayer: Law in Action, Material World, Costing the Earth Monthly Careers News

24 Beyond the curriculum: more ideas Work shadowing: ESSENTIAL for vocational courses (e.g. Healthcare, Teaching, Law, Journalism, Architecture, Accountancy); HIGHLY DESIRABLE for many others Volunteering: Working in a charity shop/fund raising Regular contact with any vulnerable group listening skills, compassion, empathy, emotional resilience, insight into issues facing NHS Any role involving regular contact with general public helps to develop employability skills: e.g. Library or Sports Centre Assistant, Maths tutor

25 Key Dates: post-18 options From March onwards: One-to-one interviews start 16 June: UCAS Meeting for Parents 1 July: Towards the Future Conference June/July/Sept: University Open Days By end of summer term: First draft of Personal Statement