GCSE Reform & Progress 8 A Cedars Academy Parent/Carer Forum
Welcome & Agenda Explore the rational for changing GCSE qualifications Discuss the changes to GCSEs and what this means for young people Develop an understanding of Progress 8- the new measure for school performance Understand how we can all support young people in their studies
The History of the GCSE Qualification Introduced in 1986 (first exam 1988) to replace O-Levels and CSE examinations GCSEs introduced coursework as part of the assessment process - (coursework was subsequently replaced with Controlled Assessment) In 1994 the A* grade was introduced so differentiate the very top grade
Why are GCSEs changing? The three essential reasons for the changes to GCSEs are to: 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 first steps towards GCSE reform September 2012
GCSEs: the main changes The new GCSEs will: make more demands of students, to help them achieve as much as students in countries with the best education systems be taken by the same range of students who take GCSEs currently, across a range of abilities be awarded in grades from 1 up to 9, with grade 9 being the highest grade
GCSEs: the main changes Where possible students will be assessed by exam, with other forms of assessment only for particular subject skills (e.g. in art and design or physical education) All exams will be 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 Although students can improve their grades through re-takes, only their first result will count in performance tables
So, what are the changes to subject content?
English and mathematics GCSEs The new maths GCSE More content to study, and more stretching maths at the higher grade Supports a deeper and broader understanding of the subject The new English language GCSE Robust foundation in reading, and writing good English 20% of marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar The new English literature GCSE Encourages students to read, write and think critically Range of challenging and substantial whole texts, and unseen texts
GCSE subject content changes Science: includes new, up to date content such as the human genome, life cycle analysis and space physics; includes more challenging maths Geography: use of maths and statistics; more on UK geography; at least two pieces of fieldwork History: more historical periods, over three eras - medieval, early modern and modern and more on British history Modern foreign languages: more demanding, and most exam questions in modern languages will be in the foreign language
GCSE subject content changes Computer Science: includes key mathematical principles; the key components of computer systems; and program writing Music: more critical appreciation; writing staff notation; chord symbols and analysing unfamiliar music Art and Design: more focus on creativity and drawing Drama: more on performance texts and their historical, social and cultural context
GCSE subject content changes Citizenship: more focus on knowledge of key citizenship concepts; includes an in-depth investigation Food Preparation and Nutrition: replaces existing range of subjects related to food. Strong food science and practical content Physical Education: more theoretical content; assessed in three activities Religious Studies: greater understanding of religion itself, with students assessed on at least two religions
Nicky Morgan announces GCSE reform June 2015
New GCSE Grading
Timetable for Change Students will take exams for new GCSEs, graded 9 to 1, in: Year 11 Year 10 Year 9 Summer 2017 English literature English language maths Summer 2018 ancient languages art and design biology chemistry citizenship studies computer science dance double science drama food preparation and nutrition geography history modern foreign languages (French, German and Spanish) music physical education physics religious studies Summer 2019 ancient history astronomy business classical civilisation design and technology economics electronics engineering film studies geology media studies modern foreign languages (Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek, Modern Hebrew, Polish, Punjabi, Russian and Urdu) psychology sociology statistics
What did Nicky Morgan say about the English Baccalaureate (EBacc)?
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) A school performance measure that allows people to see how many pupils get a grade C or above in the core academic subjects (introduced in 2010) In June 2015, the DfE announced their intention that all pupils who start in year 7 from September 2015 onwards (current Year 8 students) take the Ebacc subjects when they reach GCSEs in the Summer of 2020 The EBacc is made up of: English mathematics history or geography the sciences a language
and Attainment 8
Progress 8 Designed to encourage schools to offer a broad and balanced curriculum at KS4, and reward schools for the teaching of all their pupils Based on students progress measured across eight subjects
Progress 8 Other information will be available about schools: Attainment 8 - showing pupils average achievement in the same suite of subjects as the Progress 8 measure English and mathematics the percentage of pupils achieving a C grade or better in both English (either Language or Literature) and mathematics The EBacc showing the percentage of pupils achieving good grades across a range of academic subjects
Progress 8 and Attainment 8 The Attainment 8 score will be calculated by adding together the points from the 8 qualification buckets.
Progress 8 and Attainment 8 8 x 2 = 16 7 x 2 = 14 7 5 6 6 6 5 Attainment 8 = 16 + 14 + 7 + 5 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 5 = 65 points
Attainment 8 Estimate (an example)
A pupil s Progress 8 score (example)
Calculating a school Progress 8 score 36.5 142 = 0.26
Calculating a school Progress 8 score A 95% confidence interval will be calculated around each school Progress 8 score
Progress 8 around Leicester & Leicestershire (2016) The Cedars Academy: Wreake Valley Academy -0.32 The -0.03 The Roundhill Academy N/a Babington Community College 0.03 Beaumont Leys School -0.06 English Martyrs Catholic School -0.04 Rushey Mead School 0.48 Soar Valley College 0.29
Supporting students in their learning
Cedars Academy Study Buddies SAM CAM
CAM: Cedars Academy Moodle vle.thecedarsacademy.org.uk
As well as Show my Homework My Maths Revision Sessions Teacher Support Study Space (Library) LSAs Parent/Carer Support & Encouragement! If we work together we can achieve more
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