Key Stage 4 Curriculum Evening

Curriculum Mrs J Granycome

Core Curriculum for Year 10 Religious Education English Language English Literature Mathematics Physical Education Science Not examined Combined Sciences Separate Sciences 2 GCSEs 3 GCSEs 6 or 7 GCSEs depending on Science route

Option Choices for Year 10 History Art Business Drama Geography French Engineering Film Studies Food German Music Product Design Sport Computer Science At least 1 of the above Textiles Travel and Tourism 3 choices in total

Pathways Academic (Ebac) Mixed (Balanced) Vocational

Curriculum Information

Curriculum readiness - Changes to assessment Mr N Mitchinson

From September 2015, students in year 10 began to take new reformed GCSEs. The first new GCSEs to be taught from September 2015 were in English language, English literature and maths. New GCSEs in other subjects will follow in September 2016 and 2017.

What are the key features of the new GCSEs? The Department for Education (DfE) has made a number of changes to the characteristics of the new GCSEs. Key features include: - A new grading scale that uses the numbers 1 9 to replace the A* - G scale for identifying levels of performance - Untiered test papers in most subjects, where students will sit the same test papers at the same level regardless of ability. Some subjects, such as maths, will be tiered where untiered papers do not allow lower ability students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills or do not stretch the most able - Students will be assessed at the end of the course and subject content will not be divided into modules - Assessment will be made by external exam, except where non-exam assessment is the only way to assess certain skills Students will only sit exams in the summer. Students will only be able to resit exams in November for English language and maths if they were at least 16 on the preceding 31st August

How is the new grading scale different? The new GCSEs will be graded using the numbers 1 9, with 9 being the highest and 1 the lowest. Where performance is below the minimum required to pass a GCSE, students will receive a U. The new grading scale was used for the first time at the end of the new GCSE courses in English language, English literature and maths in 2017. For example, a C sits between a 4 and 5 in the new grading structure.

Key dates Year 10 Parents Evening Wednesday 31st January 2018 4-7pm Year 11 Parents Evening Wednesday 6th December 2017 4-7pm Year 10 Practice exams* 18th-22nd June 2018 * Literature Year 11 Practice exams 11th-20th December 2017

Key dates Year 10 Interim report 1 Week beginning 6th November 2017 Interim report 2 Week beginning 18th December 2017 Interim report 3 Week beginning 19th February 2018 Interim report 4 Week beginning 16th April 2018 Interim report 5 & End of Year Pastoral report Week beginning 9th July 2018

Key dates Year 11 Interim report 1 Week beginning 16th October 2017 Interim report 2 Week beginning 11th December 2017 Interim report 3 Week beginning 5th February 2018 Interim report 4 Week beginning 26th March 2018

Useful weblinks A timetable of the main changes: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/timeline-ofchanges-to-gcses-as-and-a-levels Information on the new grading structure: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gradedescriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1 Detail on reformed GCSE subject content : https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/reformingqualifications-and-the-curriculum-to-better-prepare-pupils-forlife-after-school/supporting-pages/gcse-reform

Attendance Ms L Gosnay

What is good attendance? 96% No more than 7 days absence per school year

How does school help? Form time review Target groups Graduated levels of support Form Tutor Progress Leader / Year Manager Attendance Team Education Welfare Officers League table competition Rewards

How can you help? Ask your child about their attendance % regularly Planners, Parent Portal, Interim Reports Ensure they attend school on time every day On site no later than 8.25am, registered at 8.30am Encourage your child to attend even with minor illnesses Contact Attendance Team daily before 8.25am if absent Make appointments outside of school time where possible Notify Attendance Team in advance & provide evidence of appointment if unavoidable Take holidays in school holidays Contact us if there are any issues preventing your child from attending school regularly

PIXL EDGE Mr S Carey

Pixl Edge Pixl Edge

Employers look for young people who are rigorous, rounded and grounded, with not only skills and knowledge, but also the wider behaviours and attitudes that are needed for success in life and work. Programmes such as The Edge that support and encourage this wider development in young people as a part of their school journey are a welcome step towards ensuring that all young people can fulfil their potential. Neil Carberry, Director for Employment and Skills, CBI. Pixl Edge

Pixl Edge

Y10 and Y11 students Next to steps. be provided opportunities to start at Graduate Level Incorporate into PSHE/Citizenship/Global Learning programme as well as cross curricular (especially incorporate into homework) Fantastic opportunity to stand out from the crowd on CVs and university applications ½ term focus for whole school on each of LORIC attributes; Introduce a Board of Directors involving Governor, LT link, Edge leader(s) and students to meet once a term. Train up Edge ambassadors from Y10 and Y11 to work alongside Y7 and Y8 students. Train up Form reps 2 per form. They will then train rest of their form and also assist form tutors. First Students (current Y9) to complete Apprentice level July 2018 Students to reach Graduate level by end of Y11 and Masters by end of Y13 Pixl Edge

What activities do you take part in?

Subject info

Separate Sciences

All students in current Year 11 are following (AQA) Combined Science, worth 2 GCSE s. Some students who wish to follow, and whose teachers recommend, Separate Science GCSE s, in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, will be offered the opportunity to learn the extra content. These sessions are likely to occur after school, study days in half term holidays and when Core PE lessons are due to take place, Dr Frank, CTL of Science will contact parents,outlining the differences and the commitment necessary, from those students interested.

KS4 AQA programme of study is followed Sets 1&2 will follow the higher pathway; Sets 3-6 foundation pathway Higher Grades 9-4 Foundation Grade 1-5 8 lessons of maths a fortnight Revision and intervention classes provided throughout KS4 Further Maths GCSE additional - after school Terminal Assessment of 3 papers a. 90 mins, b. 80 marks each c. 1 non-calculator, 2 calculator papers

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Students are studying two courses: AQA GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature (first teaching from 2015; exams from 2017) New grading system 1-9 to replace A*- G Approximate conversion chart: GCSE Number Grade GCSE Letter Grade 1 G+ 2 E / F 3 D 4 C- / C 5 C+ / B- 6 B / B+ 7 A 8 A*- / A* 9 A*+ GSCE English Language 100% external examination: Paper 1 = Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (fiction extracts) 50% Paper 2 = Writers Viewpoints and Perspectives (non-fiction extracts) 50% GSCE English Literature 100% external examination: Paper 1 = Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet) and the 19 th Century Novel (A Christmas Carol) 40% Paper 2 = Modern Texts (An Inspector Calls) and Poetry (selection from the Anthology on Love and Relationships) 60% Useful Revision Guides available online from the CGP website or Amazon: GCSE English Language: CGP - New GCSE English Language AQA Complete Revision & Practice - for the Grade 9-1 Course CGP - New GCSE English Language AQA Workbook - for the Grade 9-1 Course (includes Answers) GCSE English Literature: CGP A Christmas Carol Text Guide CGP An Inspector Calls Text Guide CGP Romeo and Juliet Text Guide New GCSE English Literature AQA Poetry Guide: Love & Relationships Anthology - the Grade 9-1 Course

Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies There are 3 examinations for the RE qualification. Component 1 - Foundational Catholic Theology (1 hour 30 mins), tests: Theme 1: Origins and Meaning (Includes Judaism and non religious beliefs) Theme 2: Good and Evil Component 2 - Applied Catholic Theology (1 hour 30 mins), tests: Theme 3: Life and Death Theme 4: Sin and Forgiveness Component 3 - Study of a World Faith (1 hour): Judaism

Computer science Students are currently completing their controlled assessment. During this 20 hr period, students are not allowed any help relating to their assignment from their teachers. Art Art & Design coursework deadline is Christmas 10hr exam where students create their final piece is Fri 23rd March & Monday 26th March

Raising Attainment Miss L Bradley Mrs S Mitchinson

Raising Attainment Raising Attainment Team Raising Attainment Lessons Preparing for Y11 exams and beyond Raising Aspirations Revision Strategies Practise Exams Understanding subject forecasts and setting own goals and targets Careers Y11 Parents Evening February - revision techniques & parental support Intervention Across the whole school - ensuring we strive for all pupils to achieve a successful pass at at least five subjects with English and maths Mentors, HPR target group, Grade 5 target group Maths Step Up English Step Up Easter Revision

English and Maths Raising Attainment Step Up Year 11 - intervention classes at every level - Wednesday and Thursday after school open to all Year 10 Maths Intervention - Thursday 3.05-4.05pm, FE3, Mr Stockton Hegartymaths.com School name, Student name, DOB - create your own password Pixl App TA354 Student name & initial Revision Packs - calculator, exam equipment & revision guide 10

Academic Monitoring Forecast data Learning Reminders Attendance Staff feedback Parental information End of Year Report } RAT in Maths, English and Science Pastoral Support Anxiety Revision C4L walks. sessions Bereavement Focus Pastoral DaysMonitoring Report Anger Management English ACADEMIC and Maths MONITORING during form Media Support with TA s Bullying CTL Subject Monitoring Report Family Regular feedback and Friendship groups aspirational targets Smarthomework

A1 Excellent attitude to learning Student completes work with enthusiasm, always completes homework on time and to a high standard, is proactive in seeking help when unsure, brings equipment and books to all lessons, is an independent learner, very rarely gets reminders, is punctual, is an active learner who seeks ways to extend knowledge and fully develop skills, values learning. A2 Consistently good attitude to learning Student completes work with enthusiasm, normally completes homework on time and to a high standard, is increasingly confident and engaged, brings equipment and books to most if not all lessons, is developing the skills of independent learning, rarely gets reminders, values learning. A3 Some good attitude to learning Student completes most homework, brings equipment and books to most lessons, is developing the skills of independent learning with help, gets few reminders, is normally punctual. A4 Requires improvement Student only sometimes completes work, has a poor homework record, frequently forgets equipment and books, has not yet developed the skills of independent learning, has a significant number of reminders, is sometimes late. A5 Negative attitude to learning Student requires significant intervention.

Free LATE BUS.. The late bus will be available on Tues Wed Thurs at 4:20.

Aiming for Excellence Practice Exams 2017-18

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday 11/12/2017 12/12/2017 13/12/2017 14/12/2017 15/12/2017 18/12/2017 Period 1 English 1 English 2 Option Block X Chemistry Option Block Y Maths 3 Period 2 105 Mins 105 Mins 90 / 105 Mins 75 Mins 90 / 105 Mins 90 Mins Period 3 RE Biology Maths 1 Maths 2 Physics Option Block Z Period 4 90 Mins 75 Mins 90 Mins 90 Mins 75 Mins 90 / 105 Mins

Parental engagement Nick Mitchinson

Parent Portal

Smarthomework In response to parental request, we have an online homework system Smarthomework is able to: Allow teachers to set any type of homework online Allow students to login and see their homework tasks Allow parents to login and see the homework tasks Allows student to submit digital work online or mark physical hand-in tasks as complete Sends email notification and calendar alerts to students

Transition from KS4 What Next?

Life after GCSE. The Challenges of Transition Securing Post 16 engagement Social and emotional readiness Awareness and confidence in the new environment and its systems New relationships; peers and adults Family support Resolving practical challenges e.g. transport Appropriate Opportunities What? Where? When? Access to courses: variety, appropriateness and required qualifications Avoiding the drop out