GCSE & Controlled Assessment Information Evening
Purpose of Information Evening Importance of Year 11 Explanation of CAT4 Testing Highlight assessment arrangements for GCSE To explain the role and importance of Controlled Assessments To provide information on Study Skills GCSE Project
CAT Tests All Year 10 students completed these tests last year. It tests skills not subject based measures Numerical, Verbal and Non Verbal Skills Gives a grade students should strive towards in their different GCSE subjects IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE GRADE THEY WILL GET We want all students to work towards at least a C in all subjects This can only happen if we have an effective home school partnership
GCSE General Certificate in Secondary Education Course of Study - 2 years Graded A* to G (NI exam board) Graded 9 to 1 (English exam boards)
GCSE information Linear Approach SEPT 2015 Exam May/June 2017 Modular Approach (RE and Maths, Business & Communication Systems, Technology and LLW) SEPT 2015 May/June 2016 RE Exam 16 May 2016 (50% of total GCSE RE Unit 5 Marks Gospel) Exam May/June 2017 (remaining 50% GCSE)
GCSE Information Maths T3 on 26 May 2016 (45% of GCSE) T5 or T6 2 June 2016 (55% of GCSE) LLW Exam GLW41 13 May 2016 (20% of GCSE) Business & Communication Systems Practical Exam week beginning 16 May 2016 Technology & Design Exam Unit 1 24 May 2016
Mathematics Tiers of Entry GCSE Maths Structure Tiers of Entry Aim is to help everyone attain at least a Grade C T2 & T5 T3 & T5 T3 & T6 T4 & T6 Grades Available C G Grades Available B - G Grades Available A - D Grades Available A* - D Students who complete T4 & T 6 will also do Further Maths in Year 12 1 GCSE class will also complete Essential Skills Numeracy
Why opt for Modular Brings the examinations into closer alignment with A Level Up to 50% of examination + content can be completed at the end of Year 11 No Controlled Assessment in RE or Maths Reduces workload in Year 12 Resit possibilities 80% A* -C (5 year average RE)
What has to be very clear Students will not be on a special exam timetable Work will continue in GCSE subjects until the end of June It is not expected that students will repeat however, this is a possibility and may be recommended Students will not have summer internal examinations in May/June April will be last internal examination assessment
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT - Formerly known as Coursework - Conducted in a more controlled environment - Addresses issues of authenticity, plagiarism and validity - Marks range from 25% to 100% of full GCSE
Departments involved: Art & Design Moving Image Arts Business Studies Business & Communication Systems Child Development Drama Geography History Languages (all) Music Health and Social Care
Departments involved: Contemporary Craft Computing Occupational Studies (all) Technology Science (all) Motor Vehicle & Road User Studies PE Home Economics English Language English Literature LLW ICT
Controlled Assessment = 60% English Language Child Development Home Economics Health & Social Care ICT & Computing PE Art & Moving Image Arts Drama Technology Contemporary Craft MVRUS LLW Spanish Irish French
Controlled Assessment = 25% Physics Chemistry Biology Science Core Science Core & Additional Business Studies History English Literature Geography Business & Communication Systems Controlled Assessment = 65% Music
Format for C.A. Classroom & Home research Classroom practicals Classroom write-up Classroom tests Speaking tests in Languages
Restrictions apply: The controlled assessments are GCSE exams and need to be treated as such. The only difference is they are internally marked (but externally moderated). Attendance is crucial. Use of ICT will not be permitted as once the written work starts, pupils are not allowed access to the internet.
Study Skills All students will be given information on important study skills in Year 11 an outside provider comes in to work with the Year Group Study does not mean homework Students should be studying most nights during the week They need to plan their study Get into good study habits early
Raising Standards in English and Mathematics at GCSE
What is the GCSE Project? Government funding removed for the old Signature Project last year Positive impact of this project allowed us to secure funding for a further year from Lagan College Directors Lagan College has seen an uplift of over 10% in the last 2 years in 5 GCSE A*-C inc English & Maths 2 Full Time teachers provided
Who will benefit from GCSE Project? Every student undertaking GCSE Mathematics and English Language in Year 11 and Year 12 will benefit indirectly as it: has enabled Lagan College to create an extra English and Mathematics class in both Year 11 and Year 12, thus enabling more focussed teaching and direct intervention for all students. has enabled Lagan College to reduce all class sizes for Mathematics and English Language GCSE, core curriculum areas in both Year 11 and Year 12.
Identifying Students eligible for direct intervention under GCSE Project GCSE Project enables Lagan College to identify those students who should be on target to achieve 5 GCSE passes including C grades in both GCSE English Language and Maths. This is based on data from Key Stage 3, in particular, Year 10 data
Your Role as a Parent The Campaign for Learning found that parental involvement in a child s education can mean the difference between an A* and an also-ran at GCSE. The good news is that you don t need to be an expert in any of the subjects your child chooses to make a real difference. You also don t need to give up your life and other responsibilities you just need to know how best to spend the time you do have.
Your Role as a Parent One of the hardest demands on students is that of understanding the long-term importance of doing the best they can, and learning to shelve short-term fun, at times, in the interest of long-term benefits (not easy even for adults). This is where you, as parents, really can make a difference. Your support, encouragement and interest can make a spectacular difference to your child s motivation and ability to cope with the academic and organisational demands of GCSE courses.
Your Role as a Parent Support your son/daughter check diary Keep up to date with Controlled Assessment deadlines Ensure your son/daughter has all prep work completed for Controlled Assessment Communicate with the school Form Tutor Year Head Vice Principal Teaching and Learning Ensure full attendance if at all possible
Information for Parents The booklet contains all the information you need, as a parent, on each subject area studied at GCSE.
Thank you for your attention Please feel free to speak to any of the staff members here this evening if you have questions or concerns