GCSE parents’ information evening 19th October 2016

GCSE Information Evening Changes to reporting cycle Changes to GCSE grading: 1-9 What is a ‘good pass’? Mock examinations English & maths subject specific information

Reports will now be issued 3 times a year: December 2) March 3) May Year 10 1) December 2) March 3) July

Year 11 Mock Exams: 20th November (Maths Paper 1 Friday 17th PM) All subjects As many papers as content coverage allows Practical examinations Examinations conditions Timetable will be issued Students expected to attend lessons when not in exam 27th February- will follow a similar pattern to the November mock exams Year 10 June mock exams Exams mostly in lessons as public examinations are taking place

How can I help my daughter prepare for mocks? Ensure she’s created a revision timetable Display the revision timetable and mock examination timetable somewhere prominent GCSEpod VLE (Virtual Learning Environment)- OneDrive/Sharepoint Active revision Be on time! Sometime the mocks will start at 8:30

Revision Techniques: There are two ways that just DON’T work: 1 Rewriting full sets of notes 2 Reading notes over and over The key to successful revision is to make your revision ACTIVE. Mind maps Study cards Flash cards

5 is now considered the ‘good pass’ Re-sit in maths/English will not be required if a 4 is achieved (2017) No decision announced for following years as of yet Year 11: English & maths Year 10: all subjects at ABS except Business Studies & Sociology

English Language and literature.

The English LANGUAGE COURSE Paper 1

The English literature course

English intervention sessions Tuesday 2:30 – 3:30pm Weekly intervention with HLTA Hayley Hurt during core PE. Focus upon exam papers and strategies to answer questions. Spring break revision session. Focus upon topics identified in mock exam. May half term revision session. Attendance is compulsory. All staff available to help during lunchtimes and afterschool.

How to revise english…. GCSE POD Show My Homework Mr Bruff – Youtube The best way to revise for English language is to constantly test yourself on the style of questions in the exam. Show My Homework For English Literature, pupils must re – read / revise all of the texts covered, focussing on key characters, themes, language and structural devices in the texts. Mr Bruff – Youtube Pupils MUST READ in order to progress.

How can parents help? Research shows that parents who take the time to talk to their child about their work can make a difference of 20% in exam grades.

Steps to parent success Your child will be supported with revision skills and strategies in school. However, your awareness and mentoring of them at home will help to develop these skills.

Help them to make a list of what they have to do. Put the dates of the exams on the fridge/noticeboard at home and help them to make an examination timetable. Check their planner each evening and remind them of their tutor sessions and revision classes for English. Help them with their English homework (without doing it for them) Draw up a revision timetable. Get your child into the habit of working and revising at set times, with regular breaks. Make sure your child has a quiet and structured environment to revise and encourage others in the house to not disturb them. Make sure your child sets aside time for relaxation.

What your child must do Attend all lessons Attend all revision sessions available to them. Complete all homework. Make notes in class and take the teachers advice. Make sure they ask their teacher if they don’t understand something. Read widely – newspapers, novels, brochures etc. Learn key words and terms that they need for controlled assessments and exams.

Most importantly…. Be confident and believe in yourself. Don’t stress!!!!

Useful websites for parents and pupils. http://www.parentscentre.gov.uk www.bbcskillswise.org.uk (SPAG) www.s-cool.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize www.revision-notes.co.uk/GCSE http://www.swotrevision.com/pages/gcse/englishlang.html http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/education

Thank you for your support Questions?

mathematics

New Maths gcse

Mathematics intervention Drop-in session Thursday 2:30 – 3:30pm

How to revise maths…. Mathematics is a practical subject – revise by ‘doing it’. Use past paper questions as a guide – try to answer them. If you get stuck look over your notes, use revision guides, websites to help. Then try the question again. If still unsure ask teacher for help. Keep practising!

Useful resources Exercise books are the best revision guides Pearson Edexcel Revision Guide HIGHER TIER ISBN: 978-1447987932 FOUNDATION TIER ISBN: 978-1447987925

USEFUL WEBSITES www.mrbartonmaths.com/gcsetakeaway www.studymaths.co.uk www.revisionmaths.com www.hegartymaths.com www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize www.mathsmadeeasy.co.uk www.onmaths.com