Options for 2017 Do not limit your children to your learning, For they are born in another time Hebrew proverb You do not know about education, get back in your box
Aims of the evening Overview of the year - Mrs Fyvie-Rae The Maths curriculum – Mrs Taverner The world of Science – Miss Le Cuirot English in a nutshell – Mrs Edwards e safety – Miss Jackson Curriculum changes and GCSE options- Mr Hurley
Key dates Short Report – 16th December 2016 Full Reports – 24th March 2017 Options Fair – 6th April 2017 Careers Fair- 25th April 2017 Parent evening – 4th May 2017 Option returns – 5th May 2017 Short report – 23rd June 2017 Options confirmed – July 14th 2017
Information from the Maths Faculty r.tavener@westgate.hants.sch.uk KS3 Coordinator
Groups 1a/1b/2a/2b ? In the Westgate, there are only slight differences between the various classes. All pupils follow the same Programme of Study but different classes may cover topics in more depth with more challenging problems. Pupils can be moved at any time in Years 7-11 based upon their performance when comparative data is available from three topic tests and after end of year exams. We encourage all pupils to aim for the highest grades regardless of their starting point, we have several pupils that make 5 levels of progress from KS2.
Maths result 2016 Levels of progress 2016 85% 3 level or more 45% 4 level or more 15% 5 level or more 89% A* to C 31% A to A*
New mathematics curriculum Mathematical reasoning Problem solving New content Memorise formulae Three terminal exams, no coursework Use of trigonometry in foundation Venn diagrams and set theory. Introduction to calculus and functions of functions in Higher.
The Maths House Style Large orange “revision” books for written examples, notes and used over several years. Large yellow exercise books used for classwork/home learning showing a learning journey and dialogue between pupils and teachers. We use a rich vein of resources, including worksheets and text books, if applicable. Pupils should bring scientific calculators , protractors and compasses to every lesson.
Feedback Where appropriate, at the end of each topic, pupils may complete a topic test and respond to any targets set by their teacher. Due to individual pupils’ strengths and weaknesses performance in topic tests might fluctuate. After three topic test assessments, pupils will need to respond to and work on any targets set by teachers – this may include a question in class, mymaths or home learning linked to the target.
Home Learning 5 min numeracy tasks - Complete a mymaths booster pack/homework booklet over several weeks. Home learning – set as stated in school policy. Mymaths westgate parallel Mathslink homework books and electronic text books.
What can you do to help? “I was never any good at maths…..” vs “I really enjoyed maths…..” Encourage asking questions in class. Maths catch-up Monday/Wednesday after school Ensure they know their times tables – this really speeds up progress in lesson. Ensure they have a calculator, preferably a scientific calculator, (mobile technology continues to be banned in formal exams), protractor and compass. Make sure you check progress through planners, Maths Log Book forms and communicate with us. Internet access www.mymaths.co.uk westgate parallel Smiley sheets and Mathslink electronic text books.
Year 8 English curriculum Mrs Edwards Head of English
Year 8 units of Enquiry What are the ingredients of a good gothic story? Dracula, Frankenstein, Twilight What if our world looked a little bit like this…? Dystopian Fiction: Noughts and Crosses, 1984, Trillions, Daz 4 Zoe How is culture presented through poetry?
Why does Shakespeare still stand the test of time? ‘The Tempest’ or ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ How were children exploited in Victorian times and how does this compare to today’s society?
How are pupils assessed? Exercise books – day to day work the most important; Assessing Pupil Progress – in-flight repair; Formal assessments to confirm progress; Exercise books show a learning journey;
E-Safety @ The Westgate School
Why teach e-safety? Technology is changing and developing at an exponential rate – new apps and websites are created everyday; and teenagers will usually discover them first. Some of these present potential risks to children. In order for us to safeguard our children, we need to teach them the skills to enable them to make safe decisions online.
How do we teach pupils to be safer online? Parenting Evenings CPR Digital Studies Assemblies
Online Safety Parenting Evening
E Safety and the CPR Curriculum How do we cover E Safety within CPR? Year 7- Cyber bullying and how to stay safe online. Year 8- Staying safe online, sexting, online bullying, safe relationships, social media. Year 9- Peer pressure and how to say no, online images, social media. Year 10- The Media and Porn, what is a healthy relationship?
Digital Studies In Year 7 we cover: Safe use of our internet access and school emails Cyber bullying Phishing Safe mobile phone use
Assemblies Anti-bullying week – November Internet safety day - February
Home Learning
Vision and Purpose Home learning is important for pupils’ success, because: It provides them with opportunities to consolidate new ideas/skills learned in lessons It develops their ability to work independently to solve problems It teaches self-discipline and resilience It develops the skills needed for exam preparation and revision at home It encourages dialogue with parents/family about learning
The Pupil Handbook for Learning
Support is available Support For who? When and where? Independent Study Years 10 and 11 Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes in Room 17 Every day after school in Room 9 Home Learning Club All years Every day after school in the library Learning Support Home Learning Club Pupils with learning support needs Tuesday and Thursday after school in Room 24 English & Media All pupils Every break or lunchtime with the class teacher Maths Years 9, 10, 11 Monday lunchtime in Room 39 Years 7 & 8 Thursday lunchtime in Room 39 All year groups Monday after school in Room 39 Wednesday after school in Room 39 Friday after school in Room 40 Science Wednesday 8.00 – 8.30am in Room 46 Wednesday after school in Room 21 Any break or lunchtime with the class teacher Humanities MFL Wednesday after school in Room 28 Technology PE Arts, performing arts and music
If you are concerned about home learning in any way, please contact: The subject teacher who set the HL Your child’s tutor The Faculty Leader Mrs Fyvie-Rae (Year Leader) (C.Fyvie-Rae@westgate.hants.sch.uk) Mrs Judd (Assistant Headteacher) (h.judd2@westgate.hants.sch.uk) Any questions?
Levels to GCSEs the flight path Achievement in KS3 What does this mean in KS 3 Projections for Year 11 outcomes Skilful and accomplished Mastery of the skills Grades 8 – 9 Confident and secure Able to meet the challenges with a measure of confidence and independence that leads to consistently secure achievement in the subject Grades 6 – 8 Meeting the expectations of the curriculum Is able, with a measure of support, to meet most of the challenges of the curriculum overall Grades 5 – 7 Developing or emerging skills In some aspects of the subject may be secure, given additional support Some areas of the subject may be more challenging Grade 3 – 5 Below expected NC standards Not yet securely demonstrating skills against all aspects of the curriculum
Year 7 Year 8 Year 11 Grade 8 confident confident meeting
What are the grades New GCSE Grade Old GCSE Grade 9 A* 8 7 A 6 B 5 C 4 3 D 2 E 1 F & G
Curriculum map Year 7 & 8 Core English Mathematics Science PE Foundation IT Art Drama Music Technology Geography History Language CPR Year 9 Core English Language English Literature Mathematics Science – Double Award PE Foundation RE within CPR Statistics within Maths Language Geography or History 3 additional choices Year 10 & 11 Core English Language English Literature Mathematics Science – Double/Triple PE Foundation Options (4x2) Y7&8 – volume of subjects creates pressure h/l an issue due to number of subjects
Year 9 Core + 6 KS4 Foundation courses: RE (within the CPR framework) a Modern Foreign Language Geography or History 3 free choices
Year 10 Core + reduction Foundation courses from 6 to 4 KS4 courses Option 1 = MFL Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Any 3
Foundation Subjects You will need to consider the choices from the following subjects and complete your options form 1. Humanities – please tick one Geography Tick 1 of these, you ma tick the alternate as part of our free choice History 2. Current Foreign Language French German Latin Spanish Please tick 1 or 2 of these if you are taking them next year 3. Additional Choices Art (Fine Art) Dance Geography Drama BTEC Food preparation & Nutrition Media Studies Photography Sculpture Computing Digital Applications History Fashion Design Music Product Design Physical Education Statistics Please choose 3 choices (1-3) and 2 reserves (R) 4. CPR (Religious Enquiry)
Janet year 9 year 10 RE RE French French History History Media Media Art Drama year 10 RE French History Media Shows that can continue with IT/computing at GCSE
John year 9 in year 10 RE Spanish Spanish Geography Geography History Media Photography in year 10 Spanish Geography History Photography Drop IT, but takes 2 humanities
Successes in Year 9 An exploratory year Pupils benefitting from the extra time Progress – not the same in all subjects
Choosing courses at KS4 Choose a course that…. They can succeed in Contain those subjects they like best Reflect their interests and personal qualities Help them learn in their best way Sets them up for a future life of work
Do not assume you know what is best, put aside your prior expectations
Just because it has worked for you in past, it may not work for your child
Discussion points Possible question starters: What do I want to know about the option system? What do I want to know about the courses? What do I want to consider about their future in education and work?