SUPPORTING LEARNING IN YEAR 9 Parents Information Evening Tuesday 10 th October 2017 A S P I R I N G M O T I V A T E D C O N F I D E N T C O N S I D E R A T E
200 CLUB THE SIMPLEST WAY TO WIN THE SCHOOL WINS TOO if 200 numbers are in play Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year 3 x 400 Prizes 3 x 400 Prizes 3 x 400 Prizes 3 x 400 Prizes 6,000 PTFA
What do you do? Over 16 and connected with the school Commit to 57 one off annual or 12 monthly payments of 5 Pay Securely through Donorbox via school website Annual: https://donorbox.org/furze-platt-senior-school-ptfa-200-club-annual Monthly : https://donorbox.org/furze-platt-senior-school-ptfa-200-club-monthly
And the lucky winners???? Draw PTFA Quiz Night 10 th Nov 17 Results: Furze Platt Senior School PTFA Facebook page School newsletter Winners mail from FPSSPTFA200CLUB@gmail.com
The Year 9 curriculum 1. It is streamlined English Language and Literature - GCSE 8 hours, 2 GCSEs Maths GCSE 8 hours, 1 GCSE Science GCSEs 8 hours, 2 or 3 GCSEs Options subject GCSEs 5 hours each, 4 GCSEs PE - 4 hours PSHE 2 hours 2. It is more challenging Students will be doing either 9 or 10 of the new, more challenging GCSE courses.
9 New GCSEs New grades All GCSEs have the new grading system 9 grades (vs 8 in the old system) More grades at the top end, fewer at the lower end 5 is the new C
What students must aim for 9 1. As a bare minimum, getting a Grade 5 in English and Maths; Any student who achieves a Grade 4 or lower in either English Language and / or Maths will have to continue to retake the subject(s) in Year 12 until they achieve a Grade 5.
What students must aim for (continued) 2. It is the student s scores in their top 8 subjects, including English and Maths, that count most. Our sixth form entry requirements are based on these top 8 scores. The higher your average score, the greater the range of sixth form courses you can choose from. To do well in your top 8 subjects, you need to work hard in all 9 or 10.
How can students rise to the challenge? 1. Develop a positive mindset Accept that sometimes the work will be challenging and you might not get it first time. Accept that this doesn t matter if you get it wrong first time, try again. Remember that you have three years to crack this. Don t panic. 2. Maximise your attitude to learning in lessons Listen hard. Avoid distractions. Do your best first time. Expect to have to re-do your work until it is as good as it can be.
How can students rise to the challenge (continued) 3. Produce the best home learning possible It connects together the work you do in class. Expect 2 hours for English and Maths, and 1 hour for every other subject, every week. Expect to have to re-do work to make it as good as possible. 4. Communicate Share your triumphs. Share your concerns especially with parents and teachers.
Assessment Most GCSEs are assessed purely through final exams (May & June of Year 11). Some eg Art and Food and Nutrition have Controlled Assessments, usually in Years 10 and 11. Non-GCSE subjects such as Child Development and Construction have continuous assessment.
How the school will support learning Tracking and monitoring Regular internal assessments based on exam criteria which form the basis for achievement grades reported to parents. Pre-Public Exams (PPEs) used to be called mock exams Preparation for external exams Pre-Public Exams (PPES) Study Skills sessions Holiday revision programme Continued focus on exam technique and content
Pre-Public Exams 9 PPEs form an essential part of your son/daughter s preparation for their actual GCSEs in the summer of 2020. Diagnostic Rehearsal Key Dates 26 th February 9 th March 2018 Year 9 PPEs (in classrooms) January 2019 Year 10 PPEs (in exam hall) November 2019 Year 11 PPEs (in exam hall)
How parents will know how their children are doing 9 3 Progress Reports: December 2017 March 2018 July 2018 Parents Evening: 19 th April 2018
Things to look out for on your child s report 9 What do we report? Working At This is the grade that best reflects the current work of your son or daughter. If they sat the exam now this is what we think they would get. End of Year Challenge Target This is the minimum grade that we think your son or daughter should be able to achieve by the end of Year 9. Depending on the progress being made by your son or daughter, we may move this grade up or down during the course in order to provide the most appropriate level of challenge.
Fine Grading Things to look out for on your child s report For reporting, we also sub-divide grades for greater accuracy. 6+ attainment at the upper end of grade 6, almost reaching grade 7 6 working consistently at grade 6 6- attainment at the lower end of the grade 6 range, just above a grade 5.
Things to look out for on your child s report Attitude To Learning Outstanding: The student consistently displays an attitude that promotes rapid and sustained learning and progress over time. They demonstrate mastery of their own behaviour and make every effort to ensure others learn. They always show consideration, respect and courtesy to adults and to each other. They are very well organised, always bring the correct equipment to lessons and consistently complete both class and home learning in time for every deadline. They are independent and highly self-motivated and are always on task, making a full and positive contribution to every lesson. Their work consistently meets or exceeds expectations.
Extra help from the school Targeted support for students falling behind; Supervised Study running every day after school; Home Learning Clinic starts again for after half term; Mentoring from sixth form prefects; Support from Form Tutor and Head of House.
It s not all academic work PSHE lessons focusing on drug awareness, sex and relationships education, careers education, human rights and government; Extra-curricular activities abound for students in Year 9 before school, at break time, after school. Look out in particular for Duke of Edinburgh Award; Multiple opportunities to get involved in House Challenges and other house events; Opportunities to represent students through House Councils or to represent the school by acting as guides as ambassadors; Start thinking about your future attend the Careers and Higher Education Fair on Thursday 23 rd November or attend a Careers interview
What can parents do? Do what you do best and even more of it if possible! 1. Discuss your son s / daughter s work with them, and check their diary; 2. Check their home learning either through Show My Homework or through their diaries; 3. Accept they may find the work challenging and support them with this; 4. Set clear rules and boundaries home learning comes first, regulate gaming and social media; 5. Read and act on the school reports; 6. Ensure they take a balanced approach and spend free time wisely on sport, on hobbies, with friends (with some gaming and social media too!); 7. Remove all gadgets by 9:00 8. Feed them suitably; 9. Get in touch if you are concerned.
Recap Year 9 is exciting and challenging. Students need to focus. Parents will continue to support. The school will monitor and track students. We all need to continue to communicate. But there is more to life and school than just GCSEs!
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