Welcome to Year 8 Curriculum Information Evening
Ms K Thomas Deputy Headteacher
Changes to GCSE and A Level Examinations Why have GCSEs and A Levels have changed? The new qualifications: 1. provide a stronger foundation for further study and employment, keeping pace with the demands of universities and employers. 2. support students in developing the knowledge, skills and values they need for life in modern Britain. 3. match the standards of the best education systems in the world.
The Structure of GCSEs Where possible students are assessed by exam, with other forms of assessment only for particular subject skills (e.g. in Art and Design or Physical Education). All exams are at the end of a two year course of study. In most subjects, students will not be grouped in different ability tiers for the purposes of assessment only Maths, sciences and languages will have different papers for different groups of students.
GCSEs: Changes to Grading The new GCSEs are awarded in grades from 1 to 9, with grade 9 being the highest grade.
A Levels Equipping students to progress to success at university and in their careers. More involvement from universities in the development of A levels to make sure that students are well prepared for higher education. No change to level of demand or grading structure. The A level is a two year course which is examined in its entirety at the end of Year 13
The Core Curriculum at STAGS
Maths Miss L Reading
Pearson/Edexcel exam board No coursework Exams at the end of Year 11 only Emphasis on problem solving and mathematical reasoning Students are expected to memorise a range of formulae and exact trigonometric ratios
Assessment of Maths No coursework All exams are at the end of Year 11 Two Tiers Grades 1-5 available in Foundation Grades 4-9 available in Higher New marks awarded for proof or process Sets 1-4 will follow the Higher syllabus. Set 5 will start Year 9 on the Higher syllabus. The correct tier of entry will be decided on an individual basis at a later date. Set 6 and 7 will follow the Foundation syllabus.
Students Expectations of Lessons All students will have access to an online GCSE textbook written by the exam board. The lessons will have a similar format to KS3 lessons but with a greater emphasis on student. led learning and problem solving GCSE topics continue from KS3 learning and extend and deepen the subject knowledge. All students will be set two home learning tasks per week Internal assessments will continue to monitor progress and this will be reported alongside other subjects
Where to get help? VLE Maths Clubs - Tuesday 3.30pm - 4.30pm - Wednesday 1.30pm 1.55pm
English Mrs M Hall
Overview Two GCSEs: English Language and English Literature (AQA) Taught in teaching groups rather than sets 3 year GCSE - content starts being learned in Year 9
English Language
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing What's assessed Section A: Reading one literature fiction text Section B: Writing descriptive or narrative writing Assessed written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 80 marks 50% of GCSE Questions Reading (40 marks) (25%) one single text 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks) 2 longer form questions (2 x 8 marks) 1 extended question (1 x 20 marks) Writing (40 marks) (25%) 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy) Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives What's assessed Section A: Reading one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text Section B: Writing writing to present a viewpoint Assessed written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 80 marks 50% of GCSE Questions Reading (40 marks) (25%) two linked texts 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks) 2 longer form questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks) 1 extended question (1 x 16 marks) Writing (40 marks) (25%) 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
Non-examination Assessment: Spoken Language What's assessed (AO7 AO9) presenting responding to questions and feedback use of Standard English Assessed teacher set throughout course marked by teacher separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE)
What s new? Students now analyse fiction and nonfiction extracts Entirely assessed by two examinations No Foundation or Higher papers 20% of the Language GCSE marks are for writing accuracy
English Literature
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel What's assessed Shakespeare s plays 19 th Century novel How it's assessed written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 64 marks 40% of GCSE Questions Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole. Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole. Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry What's assessed Modern prose or drama texts The poetry anthology Unseen poetry How it's assessed written exam: 2 hour 15 minutes 96 marks 60% of GCSE Questions Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text. Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster. Section C Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.
English Literature Paper 1 Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet Julius Caesar Nineteenth-century novel: A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens) The Sign of the Four (Arthur Conan Doyle)
Paper 2: Modern Texts Drama: An Inspector Calls (JB Priestley) Prose: Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguro)
Poetry cluster: Power and Conflict
What s new? Closed-text examinations Demanding range of content, from different genres, forms and periods Opportunities for independent reading Enrichment outside the classroom includes writing competition, theatre and cinema trips, poetry readings and more.
Where should I start?
Where should I start? Follow @stags_english
Where should I start? KS4 English Club Wednesday at 3:30 (Room 20 & 21) Look out for advertised book groups in English Develop the habit of wider reading, including poetry and 19th century texts (check the KS4 reading list) Year 9 Extended Learning Pack Ask your English teacher Follow @stags_english
Science Mr C Markou
GSCE Sciences 2019/19 AQA exam board There are two qualifications available: Combined Science: Trilogy students achieve 2 GCSEs Separate Sciences: students achieve GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (Triple Science) Both courses cover the breadth and depth needed for students to study Sciences at A Level
GSCE Sciences 2018/19 Required Practicals - appear in examinations All examinations are taken at the end of Year 11 only We will contact you with a recommendation of which Science course best suits your daughter
Assessment in Science Two tiers of entry: Higher: grades 4-9 Foundation: grades 1-5 Literacy and numeracy demand has increased Practical and Working Scientifically skills now examined in written papers
Assessment objectives: skills appearing in examination questions Assessment objectives Weighting AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding 40% AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding 40% AO3 Analyse information and ideas 20%
Exams Combined Science: Trilogy Six exams: two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics papers. Each exam is 1 hour and 15 minutes, 70 marks. 16 Required practical activities Style of Questions: multiple choice, structured closed answer and open response.
Separate Sciences Chemistry, Physics and Biology GCSE follow a similar assessment format Two examinations are taken Each is 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks Style of Questions: multiple choice, structured closed answer and open response. 8 Required practical activities per GCSE (24 in total).
What should students expect in lessons? Access to a GCSE textbook. More experiments and investigations. Activities that deepen knowledge, understanding and application of Science. Two home learning tasks per week. Tests to monitor progress. Independent learning skills
Where to get help? Science Homework club
Mrs V Blackburn Assistant Headteacher
Definitions The x that is shown preceding the grade will be 7, 8 or 9 depending on the year group the student is in.
Year 9 Reports
Show My Homework Online Access to website and App Shows details of the home learning set Due date Length of time expected How to hand it in
What can we do to help? Information Evenings Regular curriculum updates and reports on your daughter s progress Specialised teaching staff Learning Support Pastoral support team
Learning Support STAGS supports all students with a range of abilities and needs Learning Support Department. provides support for students with specific learning needs e.g. dyslexia, and can assess students who present as having a learning need Interventions/clubs/key workers to help students who need it Encourage independence and resilience
Pastoral Support Your daughter will be supported by: Form Tutor Director of Learning Pastoral Support Officer Student Mentors Student and Families Support Worker
Year 9 Students
Thank you