WELCOME: Mrs Nyland Head of English Mr Stinton Head of Maths Mrs James Head of Science Mr O Hanlon Assistant Head & Head of R.E Mr Smyth Assistant Head & Intervention Coordinator Miss Coughlan Head of KS 4
What s it all about? Preparing for life post 16 Thinking about colleges/schools/ apprenticeships Learning about what employers are looking for Understanding the process of transition to F.E
What we expect from your daughter Excellent attendance, 17 days absence means a drop in grade at GCSE Excellent Behaviour for learning, especially if she is considering being a prefect and for her reference. Be prepared to learn and don t wait for it to happen, be proactive in your learning. Do your homework Meet deadlines Turn the phone off when she is studying.
72% English & Maths 5 A*- C English & Maths 69%
Joint 1 st in the borough for 5+ ( strong passes)
23% 9-A*-A-7, 45% 9-A*-B-6
Jenna Deputy Head girl & Top scorer 2017. 8 A* and 3 A s. Now at Campion studying A levels in Maths, Biology & Chemistry
40% English Baccalaureate
Elizabeth Williams. Ex Head girl. 4 A*, 5 A s 2 B s. Now at Coopers. A levels in Maths, Further Maths, Geography & Art
First grade 9 s, ever! A**
What s changed at GCSE? Your daughter will sit 100% linear courses in all subjects except D & T, P.E, Computing and Art, who still retain a small amount of controlled assessment. Linear means that all exams/units will be sat at the end of the course in Year 11. A 9 to 1 number system for results will replace grades at GCSE. 9, 8 and 7 equate to A* - A, with an A at 7 and a 4 equates to the bottom of a C grade, a standard pass. 5 will be the recognised a strong pass grade. We do not set targets to achieve 8 s or 9 s as they are statistical awards, awarded differently each year.
What s the English Baccalaureate (EBacc)? This is not a certificate but a measure of the number of pupils who achieve a Grade 5 ( strong pass) in six GCSEs : English, Mathematics, Science (two Sciences that could include Computer Science), a modern or ancient foreign language ( including some home languages) and a humanity (such as History or Geography). Not all pupils should or could study the Ebacc but half of all pupils were asked to do so. This is what the government considers to be an all round and academic qualification, certainly one to prepare you for A level.
What does that mean for my daughter? In general she will study 8 GCSEs or more to achieve her P8 and A8. She may be studying the Ebacc She will be taking Science, English Language & Literature, mathematics and R.E as her core subjects:6/7 GCSE s even before options. We consider changes to GCSEs in Year 11 round about Christmas time. No changes now! We do not make decisions on tiers of entry where relevant, until the last moment, usually in January of Year 11. This is because we do 3 Pre- Public Exams: a walking talking mock exam in Year 10, a timed walking exam in Year 11 and a PPE at Easter in Year 11 so that we know her really well, as well as her capabilities.
New headline figures Progress 8 Attainment 8 English & Maths 72 4+% English Baccalaureate 40% 4+ 54% taking the English Baccalaureate This replaces 5 A* - C including Maths and English
Studying Post 16 Your daughter will need: Maths at a 4 (standard pass) or above for post 16 study. English Language &/ or Literature at a 4 or above. Literature is now equivalent to Language A 6 in the subjects she wishes to study A 7/8 if she wishes to study Maths or Sciences 8 GCSES overall for A level or Level 3 study A back up plan! There is a route for all pupils at whatever level but it is always good to have this in case she changes her mind or plans change
English Literature and English Language Mrs Nyland Head of English
Pupils follow schemes of work designed to teach the new Edexcel specifications for English Language and English Literature. Pupils notes or written tasks are kept by the pupils themselves. The work of pupils is marked and regular feedback is given in the form of written advice and G.C.S.E. grades. Your daughter will need to be organised. Lever arch files, folder dividers and plastic wallets will help with this! Half-termly assessments take the form of exam practice papers which will completed under timed conditions in exam conditions. The results of these, along with work throughout the term provide guidance for teachers when completing pupil progress checks.
What has changed 100% Exam& no texts in exams Emphasis on proof reading : SPAG skills How & Why questions focussed on language in both exams Literature & Language Both exams are as important as each other: Literature can also be accepted for post 16 entry British texts Lots of genres Time management skills are even more important in exam
Course Overview English Language English Literature Autumn Y10 Reading 19th-century extracts Writing skills (creative) 19th-century novel Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Poems 1 5 Poetry Anthology Spring Y10 Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Summer Y10 Reading 20th and 21stcentury texts Writing skills (transactional) Post-1914 text An Inspector Calls Poems 6 10 Poetry Anthology Autumn Y11 Revision Poetry Spring Y11 Revision Revision of texts Y11 Summer Revision Revision
English Literature Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature (50%) Section A Shakespeare: a two-part question. Section B Post 1914 British play or novel: ONE essay question from a choice of two on your studied text. Assessment duration: 1 hour and 45 minute examination 19 th century Novel and Poetry since 1789 (50%) Section A 19 th century novel: a two part question Section B Poetry since 1789 Assessment duration: 2 hours 15 minute examination
English Language Fiction and Imaginative Writing (40%) Section A Reading: questions on an unseen 19 th century fiction extract. Section B Writing: a choice of two writing tasks Assessment duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes. Component 2: Non-fiction and Transactional Writing (60%) Section A Reading: questions on two thematically linked, unseen non-fiction extracts Section B Writing: a choice of two writing tasks. Assessment duration: 2 hours.
Spoken Language Endorsement Students must demonstrate their presentation skills in a formal setting, listen and respond to questions and feedback, and use spoken English effectively. There are no marks for the Spoken Language endorsement. Your daughter will be awarded a grade (Pass, merit or Distinction).
How can you support your daughter? Ensure that she is: Making use of study guides and revision materials provided. Reading a wide and challenging range of Literature. Re-reading the Literature studied in class and creating mind maps for characters, themes, settings and contexts. Creating cue cards with key points and key quotations relating to characters, themes and settings. Learning new terminology by adding to a glossary of Literary/linguistic devices used by writers. Using Practice Essay questions to plan and write sections of essays under timed conditions. Continued work on SPaG www.cybergrammar.co.uk, KS4 Writing Skills booklet. Completing her homework to the best of her ability.
Mr Stinton Head of Mathematics
Mathematics In Summer 2017 we had our first ever results for the new GCSE in Mathematics. The girls achieved 73.5% grade 4-9 54.9% grade 5-9 18.6% grade 7-9
So what s changed? Mathematics #1 Mathematics retains tiers: Foundation (grades 1 5) & Higher (grades 4-9) Everyone will start off covering topics from the Higher Tier. There are no controlled assessments. The examinations are harder with several topics from the Higher Tier now appearing on the Foundation Tier syllabus such as using standard form and solving quadratic equations. Edexcel syllabus
So what s changed? Mathematics # 2 Some formulae previously given in the front of the exam paper will no longer be listed. Students will need to memorise formulae for : area of a trapezium, volume of a prism, quadratic formula (Higher Tier), sine and cosine rules (Higher Tier) Spelling, punctuation and grammar are not assessed. However, there is a greater emphasis on reasoning and problem solving. There are some new topics such as Venn Diagrams and the equation of a circle.
are Pushing those that need it. In Mathematics, we have started the Edexcel GCSE course in year 9, at the moment all pupils are learning some elements of the Higher tier course. are doing regular practice assessments. are setting regular challenging homework. are supporting those that need it by having a focus on key topics to get that target grade.
Help we are providing All pupils have or will have personal accounts to access four online revision aids: www.mymaths.co.uk this has booster packs aimed at targeting each grade. Homework and targets on this are set and monitored. www.mathswatchvle.com these clips that show pupils how to answer questions on every topic on the syllabus. Your daughter can download the free app. http://mathsapp.pixl.org.uk/- the pixl maths app is free to download from the app store, google play or on a desktop. It allows more question practice and has teaching clips on it. www.methodmaths.com- this gives lots of practice GCSE questions that she can complete on line.
How can you help your daughter succeed? Make sure she does homework. Check she brings her calculator to class she needs to make friends with it! Ask her to read new notes when she gets home to check her understanding. If she is not sure, encourage her to ask. Practice, practice, practice!
gchs-fileprint\staffdocuments\coughlanm\my documents\house System and Rewards\achievement points\201617\achievement points Ms James Head of Science Biology 100% A*-C Physics 94% A*-C Chemistry 94% A*-C
gchs-fileprint\staffdocuments\coughlanm\my documents\house System and Rewards\achievement points\201617\achievement points Biology 1. Cell Biology 2. Organisation 3. Infections and response 4. Bioenergetics 5. Homeostasis and response 6. Inheritance, variation and evolution 7. Ecology Key ideas
Chemistry 8. Atomic structure and periodic table 9. Bonding structure and properties of matter 10. Quantitative chemistry 11. Chemical changes 12. Energy changes 13. The rate and extent of chemical changes 14. Organic chemistry 15. Chemical analysis 16. Chemistry of the atmosphere 17. Using resources
gchs-fileprint\staffdocuments\coughlanm\my documents\house System and Rewards\achievement points\201617\achievement points Physics 18. Energy 19. Electricity 20. Particle model of matter 21. Atomic structure 22. Forces 23. Waves 24. Magnetism electromagnetism Space physics (Physics only)
gchs-fileprint\staffdocuments\coughlanm\my documents\house System and Rewards\achievement points\201617\achievement points Course Overview 1 st Term Autumn term 2 nd term Spring term 3 rd term Summer term Bioenergetics Organisation/ Ecology B8 B9 B16 B17 B18 Bonding structure and their properties C3 C4 Infectious diseases and response B5 B6 B7 Forces 2 P10 P11 Required Practical catch up Homeostasis and response B10 B11 B12 Organic chemistry C9 C10 C11 Electricity P4 P5
gchs-fileprint\staffdocuments\coughlanm\my documents\house System and Rewards\achievement points\201617\achievement points Time Mark Unit Examined % Biology B1:Trilogy Double award 1hr 15 70 1-4 16.7 B2:Trilogy Double award 1hr 15 70 5-7 16.7 B1: Triple 1hr 45 100 1-4 50 B2: Triple 1hr 45 100 5-7 50 Chemistry C1:Trilogy Double award 1hr 15 70 8-12 16.7 C2:Trilogy Double award 1hr 15 70 13-17 16.7 C1: Triple 1hr 40 100 8-12 50 C2: Triple 1hr 40 100 13-17 50 Physics P1:Trilogy Double award 1hr 15 70 18-21 16.7 P2:Trilogy Double award 1hr 15 70 22-24 16.7 P1: Triple 1hr 45 100 18-21 50
8 mark questions gchs-fileprint\staffdocuments\coughlanm\my documents\house System and Rewards\achievement points\201617\achievement points
gchs-fileprint\staffdocuments\coughlanm\my documents\house System and Rewards\achievement points\201617\achievement points How to prepare for a Science Examination Subject content Get organised Key words Learn the content Practice the skills Identify difficulties and seek help Use past papers and mark schemes
What we will provide for your daughter weekly practice of exam style questions in lessons Assessment tests at the end of each sub topic to monitor progress. Revision sessions Access to an Online resource called Kerboodle Recommendation on revision materials
gchs-fileprint\staffdocuments\coughlanm\my documents\house System and Rewards\achievement points\201617\achievement points
Mr O Hanlon Assistant Headteacher Head of R.E. 2017 Results A*- C = 85% 2017 Results A*- A = 27%
GCSE Religious Studies Paper 1. Catholic Christianity - Catholic beliefs, teachings, practices, sources of wisdom and authority, and forms of expression and ways of life. e.g. Holy Trinity, God s Creation, Catholic social teaching, eschatology Paper 2. Judaism Jewish beliefs, teachings, practices, sources of wisdom and authority, and forms of expression and ways of life. e.g. The covenant, sanctity of life, Shabbat, festivals
GCSE Religious Studies Paper 3. Philosophy and Ethics e.g. Can we prove the existence of God? The problem of evil. Religious teachings on relationships and family life marriage, family planning, prejudice and discrimination.
Mr Smyth Assistant Headteacher
Monitoring and tracking of performance and progress Assessments 4 times a year November, January, March and June. Intervention by working with HODs to find solutions and resources to ensure that pupils are back on track as soon as possible
KS2 Level on entry KS2 Reading & Maths Score End of Year 7 Target Band End of Year 8 Target Band End of Year 9 Target Band End of Year 10 Target Grade End of Year 11 Target Grade Old GCSE Grade Progress Flightpath 6 120 6e 7e 7m 7 8/9 A* 5a 115 5s 6s 7e 6 7 A 5b 110 5e 6e 6m 6 7 A 5c 107 4m 5m 6s 5 6 B 4a 103 4s 5s 6e 5 6 B 4b 100 4e 5e 5m 4 5 C 4c 97 3m 4m 5s 4 5 C 3a 93 3s 4s 5e 3 4 C 3b 90 3e 4e 4m 2 3 D 3c 88 2m 3m 4s 2 3 D 2 85 2s 3s 4e 1 2 E/F 83 1s 2s 3e 1 1/2 F/G KS3 Mastery Bands GCSE Grades m=mastery s=secure e= emerging
Booster Classes for More Able Learners who are coasting or underachieving Intervention sessions during school time (for pupils struggling or falling behind) 1-2-1 or small group sessions where needed. Letters home regarding all intervention activities so please do not rely on only word of mouth.
To sum up: 60 weeks until GCSE Exams C/W gone for most subjects 100% exam based
Key People: 10 D Mr Amenze 10 E Miss Caruana 10 L Dr Mardanpour 10 M Mr Bartlett
Contacting us: First port of call should be your daughter s teacher, if you don t have that email, please use reception@graysconvent.thurrock.sch.uk your message can be forwarded on to the relevant teacher. If there is a pastoral issue then please contact form tutor or myself whichever seems more appropriate.
Key Dates: Opportunity Thurrock Oct 4 th Parents Evening: Feb 1 st Walking Talking Mocks June 15 th -27 th Year 10 Palmers Day (TBC) June Mock Interview Day July 13 th
Wednesday 7 th February & Thursday 8 th February 7 pm