YEAR 10 CURRICULUM EVENING Working together to ensure success Welcome to our YEAR 10 CURRICULUM EVENING Thursday, 14th September 2017 Working together to ensure success for your child ‘A Christ-centred learning community, committed to the development of the whole person’ Seamless education from 4-19 years for all faiths and beliefs

HEADLINE FIGURES 2017 A LEVEL: One of the top highest ranking A Level results in Worcestershire – 99.7% achieved 3 or more A Level passes 30% of students achieved 4 or more A Levels A*-B grades were achieved with the following percentages: German 100%, Polish 100%, Further Maths 75%, Chemistry 73%, Mathematics 65%, Geography 62% and RE 61% From a cohort of 106 students 93 A*/A grades were achieved 9 students gained a massive 32 A*/A grades between them To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), Transport, Numeracy, New Technologies, the Catholic Life of the School, our Catering Providers and the PTFA. This slide needs to updated

To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), HEADLINE FIGURES 2017 GCSE: 80% of students achieved 5+ standard passes at GCSE with English and Mathematics (79% 2016) 91% of students gained a standard pass in English (Grade 4); 80% of students gained a strong pass in English (Grade 5) 85% of students gained a standard pass in Mathematics; 73% of students gained a strong pass in Mathematics Students achieved 100% A*-C grades in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Polish To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), Transport, Numeracy, New Technologies, the Catholic Life of the School, our Catering Providers and the PTFA. Figures in red need to be changed if we are keeping this.

HEADLINE FIGURES 2017 continued GCSE: Students achieved the following A*-C grades 90% in Geography, 95% in Drama, 97% in PE, 92% in Art and Design, 86% in RE, 86% in Additional Science, 82% in Computer Science, 81% in German, 81% in History. 100% pass rate in BTEC Engineering, 100% in ECDL, 92% in BTEC Art, 92% in BTEC Sport and 94% in BTEC Children’s Play 36% of all results delivered grades 9-7, A*-A or equivalent – that is an amazing 726 results at the highest grades with 311 of those grades at 9-8, A* or equivalent. 11 students gained all of their 11 GCSEs at grades 9-7, A*-A or equivalent, 3 of whom gained all A*, 9-8 grades or equivalent 23 students gained 10 or more GCSEs all at grades 9-7, A*-A or equivalent Figures in red need to be changed if we are keeping this.

INTRODUCTION From the Assistant Principal, Ms Fletcher The big picture To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), Transport, Numeracy, New Technologies, the Catholic Life of the School, our Catering Providers and the PTFA.

AIMS To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), Future job market? Options after KS4 Targets setting Key dates Reports Exams Controlled assessment Independent learning Attendance Support mechanisms To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), Transport, Numeracy, New Technologies, the Catholic Life of the School, our Catering Providers and the PTFA.

The future for your child Apprenticeships/Careers/College courses Sixth Form Entry requirements Entry requirements onto courses Entry requirements onto specific University courses – how much more in a lifetime Aspirations – Post 16 Adviser

How can I help my child – key dates and exams Year 10 Parent’s Day 23rd November Assessment Weeks: Oct/Jan/June June – English and Maths Year 11 Parents’ Day Assessment Weeks: Nov/Feb/June To be checked

REPORTS – WHEN ARE THEY & WHAT DO THEY MEAN Target Grade - How are targets set? Forecast Grade Working at Grade Attitude to Learning Behaviour Report example needed

English, Maths and Science The importance of English, Maths and Science GCSEs Changes to assessment in each

Mathematics Exams in June 2017 Key Challenges Anticipated Time spent teaching maths in the UK compared to other countries 40% more content than at present More demanding content, more exam time (4½ hours compared with 3½) and more formulae to memorise Less scaffolding/ structure in questions – more problem-solving Students not having had the full benefit of new KS2/3 curriculum More difficult “tiering” decisions

Mathematics Exams FROM June 2017 Edexcel 1MA1 What did we learn from the first round of examinations in the Summer of 2017? Extremely difficult to “predict” exam content The importance of PREPARATION The importance of PROCESS The importance of EXPLANATION The importance of COMPARISON The importance of MATHEMATICAL REASONING

Mathematics Exams FROM June 2017 How you can help: Access to on-line texts and learning tools especially –Mathswatch CD, and mathsgenie.co.uk Support and encouragement - avoid negative thinking “Can-do” mentality Accountability culture – we all play our part Little and Often

ENGLISH EXAMINATIONS The English department offer two GCSE qualifications across KS4 GCSE English Language GCSE English Literature They are assessed separately and count equally for students. All exams are single tier All of Year 10 will be studying GCSE English Literature this year: Where suitable, staff will recommend some students for early entry at the end of Year 10.

We are an Outstanding Department with Outstanding results: our method is tried and tested! 90% at Grade 4 and above 80% at Grade 5 and above and this will rise! GCSE English Literature: students need to learn quotations and facts from 2 plays (including Shakespeare), 15 poems and a 19th Century novel. We began teaching this course at Easter of Year 9: all material is relevant. Regular assessment, high attendance, ‘buying in’ to our pace, values and teaching.

Don’t be disheartened! The English Department offers: Highly specialist teachers who have experienced curriculum change A senior examiner on the team Early diagnosis, therapy and testing for students who are struggling A well planned curriculum with constant confidence building assessment You need to offer this same commitment

Key revision guides to purchase online: CGP text guides for A Christmas Carol; An Inspector Calls; Macbeth. Check with your English teacher before ordering. School are providing the CGP workbooks for Poetry as part of the homework package for English.

Year 10 Science All students are currently studying: AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Students will be awarded 2 Grades based on a 17 point scale which will range from 1-1 to 9-9 where 9-9 is the highest possible grade

Year 10 Science AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Students will be assessed throughout the year during assessment weeks and also with end of topic tests throughout the year. Required practical's

Chemistry 8. Atomic structure and the periodic table 9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 10. Quantitative chemistry 11. Chemical changes 12. Energy changes 13. The rate and extent of chemical change 14. Organic chemistry 15. Chemical analysis 16. Chemistry of the atmosphere 17. Using resources Biology 1. Cell biology 2. Organisation 3. Infection and response 4. Bioenergetics 5. Homeostasis and response 6. Inheritance, variation and evolution 7. Ecology Physics 18. Energy 19. Electricity 20. Particle model of matter 21. Atomic structure 22. Forces 23. Waves 24. Magnetism and electromagnetism

How you can help: Support in completion of homework and the use of Educake (online homework resource) Test them regularly on subject content – eg physics equations/key facts and terms Access to online resources “Kerboodle” Encourage them to take an interest in science in the world around them –watch scientific programmes, documentaries, news etc

Knowing about support mechanisms – the pastoral system Form tutor - sees them on a daily basis Head of Year – Mr Murphy - if any concerns re homework, attendance, attitude etc. Assistant Head Pastoral (Safeguard Lead) – Mr Gariff Post 16 Adviser Miss Woods – SEN (WD)

Independent learning – how much? what can I do? Essential for success 1-2hrs per night Students need a quiet place to work - Away from distractions - See subject teachers for specific guidance Concerned – contact Head of Year – Mr Murphy, murphyn@saintsa.co.uk

The Importance OF ATTENDANCE – THE GREATER THE ATTENDANCE, THE GREATER THE ACHIEVEMENT. • IRREGULAR ATTENDANCE – Half a day a week missed during year 11 and 10 can mean the loss of at least one GCSE grade for every subject taken. That could prevent you from being able to carry on to 6th Form! • PUNCTUALITY - Arriving late to school will mean missing out on morning intervention classes. • SCHOOL PROM –96% and above

Good habits Sleep enough Eat breakfast! Eat lunch! Eat dinner! Eat healthy snacks! Your brain needs and uses energy and burns calories. So feed it! Regular exercise Remember – this is the last full year in education before GCSE examinations – good habits should start now not Year11!

MORE THAN A SCHOOL Key Contacts Mr Murphy HOY – murphyn@saintsa.co.uk Mrs Fletcher Assistant Head KS4 - fletchers@saintsa.co.uk Mr Gariff Assistant Head Pastoral – gariffd@saintsa.co.uk Mr O’Connor Head of School – oconnorg@saintsa.co.uk MORE THAN A SCHOOL