Let’s begin with a rhetorical question…

What do you aspire to be?

Let’s look at the reality – Entry Requirements Here’s 2 examples Level 2 Animal Care: You will be expected to have either successfully completed the Level 1 Diploma at distinction level, or join us directly with four GCSEs at Grade A* - E, typically including English or Maths at A* - C. GCSE English Language at grade B or above and GCSE English Literature at grade B or above. If only one English was taken you must have at least a grade A. A level Geography GCSE English at grade C or above and an interest in geography although you don’t need to have studied it at GCSE. These are common entry requirements for all/most courses.

What happens if you don’t get grade C or above in English? “Teenagers in England who fail to achieve at least a grade C in English and maths GCSEs will have to continue studying the subjects from this term. It means hundreds of thousands of youngsters in school and college will have to carry on with the subjects until the age of 18.” BBC News

Furthermore… Exam changes: 1.S & L no longer counts towards your final grade 2.Exams 60% CAs 40% This all means less support for your final grade from CAs. CAs no longer provide as much of a boost to your final grade so your final grade is much more likely to be the grade you achieve in your exams.

And… The government has made it clear that results will be affected by these changes. They expect many less students to pass at C grade or above.

What it means for you The exam boards do not give away the C grade or above for little or no effort or poor standards You must seriously up your game

Higher tier – (very) common errors 1.Incorrect format used for response 2.Content undeveloped, lacking thought and substance 3.Inappropriate register/tone 4.No sense of structure 5.Lack of variety in sentence structure 6.Unclear expression/lack of fluency/inappropriate word choices 7.Comma splicing 8.Weak/basic vocab choices 9.Grammar issues – there is/are, that/who/what 10.No proofreading/checking

Foundation tier – (very) common errors 1.Students have misread the question. 2.Students have ignored guidance for suggested headings. 3.Uncertain sense of purpose and register. 4.Limited range of vocabulary. (Overuse of said, good, nice) 5.Content is thin, brief and lacking substance. 6.Details are undeveloped. 7.Limited understanding of the features of ‘formal’ letters.

You need to improve your work SUMMER HOMEWORK You must complete the exam paper again. 1.Look over errors and comments on mock paper 2.Plan for task 3.Write tasks again – aim for target grades

Tasks Higher 1.Your local leisure centre has advertised the following holiday job. We are looking for a young, enthusiastic student to work with children aged between 7-12 during our summer holiday programme of activities. The programme will include sport and recreational activities such as: Swimming Football Drama Arts and crafts Street dancing Write a letter of application to the manager of the leisure centre suggesting why you would be the right person for the job. 2. You have been asked to write a report on catering services in your school/college for the Headteacher/Principal. Organise your report into paragraphs with suitable headings. Write your report The quality of your writing is more important than its length. You should write about one to two pages. Foundation 1.Your school/college is interested in the students’ views on arrangements for lunch and the food and drinks available for students. You have been asked to write a report for the Headteacher/Principal. Organise your report into four sections with the following headings: How lunchtime is organised; The range of food and drink available; Students’ views about the arrangements; Suggestions for improvements. Write your report. 2. Your local leisure centre has advertised the following holiday job. We are looking for a young, enthusiastic student to work with children aged between 7-12 during our summer holiday programme of activities. The programme will include sport and recreational activities such as: Swimming Football Drama Arts and crafts Street dancing Write a letter of application to the manager of the leisure centre suggesting why you would be the right person for the job.