GCSE English
GCSE Reform.intention to reform GCSEs to ensure they are rigorous and robust and give students access to high quality qualifications which match expectations in the highest performing jurisdictions.
Changes to both GCSEs The study of literature will remain a compulsory part of the Key Stage 4 curriculum. All English GCSEs will have terminal assessment with no controlled assessment. A new grading system will be introduced. Students will be awarded a grade from 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest. Students will get a U where performance is below the minimum required to pass the GCSE.
Qualifications Examination Board: AQA English Language English Literature This course represents 2 GCSEs. Both subjects are examined at the end of Year 11. All students will complete both courses.
Changes to English Language The new English Language GCSE will encourage students to read a greater range of high quality, challenging literature and non fiction text from a range of genres and types (from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries). Reading and writing will be equally weighted in the new English Language GCSE. The new English Language GCSE will have a greater focus on making sure that students are able to write clearly and accurately, in good Standard English. There will be an increased emphasis on spelling, punctuation and grammar including the use of vocabulary. Tiers will be removed from GCSE English Language. This means that specifications and question papers will have to cover the full range of abilities. Speaking and Listening will be assessed through endorsement. There will be a bigger emphasis on teaching students to become more confident in formal speaking. No more controlled assessments
English Literature The new English Literature GCSE will encourage students to read a wide range of classic literature fluently with the assessment of: A 19th century novel (The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde ) A Shakespeare play (Romeo and Juliet) A selection of poetry since 1789 including representative Romantic poems (AQA Anthology) British fiction or drama from 1914 onwards. (An Inspector Calls) Tiers will be removed from GCSE English Literature. This means that specifications and question papers will have to cover the full range of abilities. There will be increased assessment of unseen texts. The quality of writing in the response to texts will be assessed.
New GCSE English Language
New GCSE English Literature
How we will be supporting students Teaching or reinforcing a SPaG skills in every lesson Marking for SPaG Requiring students to respond to their errors Setting tasks and assessments in the style of exam questions Providing regular assessments with detailed assessment support and feedback Year 10 teaching timetable in exercise books and on website Clear course structure showing students how what they re learning fits into the final examinations Structured revision plans Additional revision classes 1 2 1 or small group additional support Wider reading lists
How you can help at home Encourage your son to read Encourage your son to plan his writing Encourage and help your son to proof read his writing SPaG errors jeopardise grades Ensure that homework is being completed Help to plan a revision timetable Buy the Revision Guides Explore the AQA website
ocr.org.uk/gcsemaths
Sets 1 4: Higher Course Sets 5: Foundation Course
On the school website: Links to the OCR GCSE webpage Useful websites for revision Teaching calendar, with assessment dates, for year 10 and 11 Students will need: Scientific natural display calculator and maths equipment Revision guide
Use the PiXL Maths App: School IDHB3705 Username 2018+surname+first initial Password surname+first initial
GCSE Sciences
GCSE Sciences 10 set 1a, 10 set 1b and 10 set 1c all take separate sciences (3 separate GCSEs in Biology Chemistry and Physics) 10 set 2a, 10 set 2b, 10 set 3a and 10 set 3b take Combined Science (worth 2 GCSEs)
GCSE Sciences No controlled assessment (coursework) Most teachers believe that they are harder with more subject content Practical skills and synoptic questions
GCSE Biology J247 OCR Gateway Science Suite: Biology A (9 1) from 2016 All pupils take the Higher Tier, grades 9 to 4 2 written papers each worth 50% Paper 3 (J247/03) B1, B2, B3 and B7 (Practical skills) Paper 4 (J247/04) B4, B5, B6 and B7 (Practical skills + synoptic assessment)
GCSE Chemistry J248 OCR Gateway Science Suite: Chemistry A (9 1) from 2016 All pupils take the Higher Tier, grades 9 to 4 There are 2 written papers each worth 50% Paper 3 (J248/03) C1, C2, C3 and C7 (Practical skills) Paper 4 (J248/04) C4, C5, C6 and C7 (Practical skills) + synoptic assessment
GCSE Physics J249 OCR Gateway Science Suite: Physics A (9 1) from 2016 All pupils take the Higher Tier, grades 9 to 4 There are 2 written papers each worth 50% Paper 3 (J249/03) P1, P2, P3 and P7 (Practical skills) Paper 4 (J249/04) P4, P5, P6 and P7 (Practical skills) + synoptic assessment
GCSE Combined Science J250 OCR GCSE (9 1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science) (J250) from 2016 worth 2 GCSEs 6 written papers each worth 16.7% Foundation (grades 5 5 to 1 1) Higher tier (grades 9 9 to 4 4
GCSE Combined Science J250 foundation tier (5 5 to 1 1) Paper 1 Biology (J250/01) Paper 2 Biology (J250/02) Paper 3 Chemistry (J250/03) Paper 4 Chemistry (J250/04) Paper 5 Physics (J250/05) Paper 6 Physics (J250/06) B1, B2, B3 and CS7 B4, B5, B6 and CS7 C1, C2, C3 and CS7 C4, C5, C6 and CS7 P1, P2, P3 and CS7 P4, P5, P6 and CS7 CS7 = practical skills Papers 2,4 and 6 have synoptic component
GCSE Combined Science J250 Higher tier (9 9 to 4 4) Paper 7 Biology (J250/07) Paper 8 Biology (J250/08) B1, B2, B3 and CS7 B4, B5, B6 and CS7 Paper 9 Chemistry (J250/09) C1, C2, C3 and CS7 Paper 10 Chemistry (J250/10) C4, C5, C6 and CS7 Paper 11 Physics (J250/11) Paper 12 Physics (J250/12) P1, P2, P3 and CS7 P4, P5, P6 and CS7 CS7 = practical skills Papers 8,10 and 12 have synoptic component
Revision guides and past papers A letter will go home recommending the purchase of the right revision guide(s) for each pupil. Past papers, mark schemes and the specification are on the OCR website
Full Course Philosophy & Ethics AQA Syllabus A 8062 Information for parents:
AQA Course Components Component 1 The Study of Religions: Beliefs, Teachings & Practices Christian Beliefs & Teachings (Yr 10 Term 1) Christian Practices (Yr 10 Term 3) Buddhist Beliefs & Teachings (Yr 9 Term 3) Buddhist Practices (Yr 11 Term 2) Component 2: Thematic Studies Theme E Religion, Crime & Punishment (Yr 9 Term 1) Theme D Religion, Peace and Conflict (Yr 9 Term 2) Theme A Relationships and Families (Yr 10 Term 2) Theme B Religion and Life (Yr 11 Term 1)
What the examiners are looking for They are looking for: knowledge of the topics. understanding of the religious beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity and Buddhism understanding of how the religious beliefs will influence the way Buddhists and Christians may respond to issues within the topics. demonstration of the skill of evaluation by being able to agree and disagree with a statement, giving own and religious views. demonstration of good essay writing skills.
How can I help my son with this Ethics & Philosophy? Watch the news/read newspapers as much as possible and discuss the issues together at the end. Think about the advantages and disadvantages of the issues e.g. going to war, allowing euthanasia to be legalised, our responsibility to the planet, the purpose of families, animal experimentation, capital punishment. Discuss how society may be affected. Consider what different religious views may be on issues and why.
Possible issues to discuss over dinner! When does life begin? Conception? Birth? Should euthanasia be legalised? How does society/religions treat the elderly? Does imprisonment work as a punishment? Is there such a thing as a Just War? Can capital punishment ever be justified? Is death the end?
Revision guides & websites There are no specific revision books available for this syllabus as yet. Helpful Books: My Revision Notes: AQA GCSE Religious Studies: Religion and Life Issues and Religion and Morality (MRN) by Lesley Parry, Jan Hayes, Kim Hands published by Hodder Education. Useful Websites: www.rsrevision.com/gcse www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/gcse/rs/ www.revisioncentre.co.uk/gcse/re/