Preparing for GCSE Success WELCOME Preparing for GCSE Success

Success for all A. Sharma Headteacher Year 11 Success for all A. Sharma Headteacher

HOW HAS THE EXAM SYSTEM CHANGED? No more modular exams No resits Grades 9 to 1 instead of A*-G for Maths and English Greater percentage of overall exam marks from the final exam in June BTECs – no longer 100% coursework , there is an end of course exam for some subjects Best 8 GCSE’s and equivalents – only 2 BTECs can be included in the best 8 subjects

KEY INDICATORS Best 8 Attainment Grade Best 8 Progress Score What does this mean?

Building for Success Targets and goals – short term and long term Behaviour The correct attitude for effective learning Attendance Punctuality Meeting deadlines Being well organised

Because 123 Days 738 Lessons 615 Hours If here all the time working in every lesson!

Plan of Action Analysis of data – mapping out progress Creating Personalised Learning Checklists Past examination papers practice European Computer Driving License qualification - equivalent to GCSE grade C Two sets of actual Mocks Mock Exams (W/C Monday 28th November) Mock Exams Results Day Parents Evening (Thursday 15th December) Second set of Mock Exams ( W/C 27th February) Grade Card sent home

Keeping Track of Progress Current Performance Grade Teacher prediction based on current performance – note the 1/2/3 e.g. C1 Target Grade Pupil’s potential grade based on teacher judgment

Types of Support/Intervention Catch-up classes after school Saturday School Holiday revision classes Collapsed timetable to provide intensive exam preparation ‘Walking Talking’ Mocks Targeted exam practise

Support Small group withdrawal Additional external lessons GCSE revision guides On-line revision materials –Doddle, Maths App, SAM Learning, My Maths, Resources on Fronter Adapted timetable

Support Access Arrangements for exams Mentoring – external and internal Meeting with parents involving Community Liaison Workers Adapting resources

and finally Just remember: "Never, never, never give up." Attributed to Winston Churchill It is never too late!

Mr. N. Bradley Head of Year 11

Tutor Team Mr Bradley (Head of Year 11) Mr Johns (Deputy Head of Year 11) – Mauve House Mrs Green - Yellow House Mrs Stevens - Red House Mr Hussain - Green House Miss O’Connor – Grey House Mrs Patel - Blue House

The role of the Head of Year and Tutor team Pastoral Support The role of the Head of Year and Tutor team A vital link between home and school Regular daily contact with the pupils and are available for all parents to contact with any concern Track pupils progress closely through the year Focussed on your child achieving their potential and better

SCHOOL PHONE NUMBER 01753 520824 niall.bradley@slougheton.com joe.johns@slougheton.com catherine.green@slougheton.com cate.stevens@slougheton.com jodie.oconnor@slougheton.com mohammed.hussain@slougheton.com dhavina.patel@slougheton.com

Heads of Departments Art: Mrs Stevens cate.stevens@slougheton.com Business Studies: Mrs Bow Drama: Ms Jeremiah English: Mrs Poet Geography: Mrs Windsor History: Mr Byrne IT: Mrs Nash Maths: Ms Southon MFL: Mrs Cusimano Music: Mrs Donnet P.E: Mr Oxley R.E: Miss Lombard Science: Miss Arunagiri Social Sciences: Ms Lary Technology: Ms Horn cate.stevens@slougheton.com marisa.bow@slougheton.com sarah.jeremiah@slougheton.com susan.poet@slougheton.com charlotte.windsor@slougheton.com aaron.byrne@slougheton.com debbie.nash@slougheton.com uzma.southon@slougheton.com francoise.cusimano@slougheton.com melanie.donnet@slougheton.com darren.oxley@slougheton.com deborah.lombard@slougheton.com hiri.arunagiri@slougheton.com sarah.lary@slougheton.com danielle.horn@slougheton.com

Pupil Planners Check your child’s planner every day. Please check if your child has completed their homework. The planner is a place for you to write messages to the teachers and for teachers to write to you. Please check if your child has received a detention.

Essential equipment for GCSE pupils Pen Pencil Rubber Ruler Sharpener Calculator Planner

Attendance We expect attendance to be 96% or above Missing just 17 days in one year (90%) can cause a drop of a full grade at GCSE. Only about one in four students with attendance less than 90% achieve 5 A*-C GCSEs. Only about one in ten students with less than 80% attendance achieve 5 A*-C GCSEs

Supporting your child Attendance 95% attendance (10 days) = 2 weeks off school Expectation is to achieve at least this figure 90% attendance (20 days) = 1 month off school Missing 17 school days in an academic year can result in dropping a full grade in every GCSE subject taught 80% average attendance over 5 years Equates to a whole year of schooling missed If a child has 89% attendance or less, there is only a 1 in 4 chance they will achieve 5 A* to C grades at GCSE

Common issues from parents Which websites are good? The work is different from when I did it He never seems to have homework He says he completes the work in school What can I get him to help him revise?

English Revision Websites https://www.doddlelearn.co.uk http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ gcsebitesize/english/ http://www.slideshare.net/ jordanjones/marc-jacobs-2532459 http://www.shmoop.com/ http://www.sparknotes.com/

Maths Revision Websites http://www.matchwatch.com https://www.pearsonactivelearn.com/ https://doddlelearn.co.uk http://www.mymaths.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ gcsebitesize/ http://www.emaths.co.uk http://www.youtube.com/user/ maths247 http://www.m4ths.com/

Science Revision Websites https://www.doddlelearn.co.uk http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ gcsebitesize/science/ http://www.s-cool.co.uk/ http://www.revisionworld.com/ gcse-revision/science http://www.examstutor.com/ science/

Helping your child fulfil his or her potential Discuss grade cards and targets regularly. Sign planners weekly, and discuss homework set or any notes from staff. Share any concerns about your son or daughter’s progress with the relevant subject teacher by writing a note in his or her planner.

Helping your child fulfil his or her potential Provide a quiet place where your son or daughter can complete homework without distractions. Revision guides are available from the school or bookshops.

Growth mind set Pupil progress data shows that those pupils who demonstrate growth mind set characteristics radically out perform other pupils by as much as 4 grades, even though their CAT tests show they have a similar raw intelligence.

vs Fixed mind-set Growth mind-set Leads to a desire to look smart and therefore a tendency to: AVOID CHALLENGES GIVE UP EASILY SEE EFFORT AS FRUITLESS OR WORSE IGNORE USEFUL FEEDBACK FEEL THREATENED BY THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS Leads to a desire to learn and therefore a tendency to: EMBRACE CHALLENGES PERSIST IN THE FACE OF SET BACKS SEE EFFORT AS A PATH TO MASTERY LEARN FROM CRITICISM FIND LESSONS AND INSPIRATION IN THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS CHALLENGES OBSTACLES EFFORT CRITICISM SUCCESS OF OTHERS

Growth mind set in action Arriving to lessons well-prepared Reading regularly Maintaining excellent attendance Homework completed on time and to a high standard Asking questions to improve understanding Take on board teachers feedback in lessons Find out how other pupils achieved high marks Reflect on success: What was it that made you succeed?

Parental Support Success Organisation Time Environment Attendance

The Year Ahead 22nd Sept. Preparing for Success Evening 17th Nov. Year 11 into Sixth Form Open Evening 21st Nov. Mock Exams start 15th Dec. Year 11 Parents’ Evening 18th Jan. Year 11 CV Writing Day 27th Feb. Second Mock Exams start 10th March Business Interview Day W/B 27th March Full Report sent home W/B 8th May GCSE Exams start

Mont Ventoux

after Year 11

College of Further Education Apprenticeship Employment with training Sixth Form

Choices Likely Year 11 achievement Interests Future career Learning style

Stepping Stones of Learning

Your results will determine which pathways you take: Keeping the doors open Your results will determine which pathways you take: A-Levels- usually 4 subjects Level 3 BTEC courses combined with A-Levels Level 3 BTEC courses Level 2 BTEC courses

(English and Maths Only) Change in GCSE grades New GCSE Grades (English and Maths Only) Current GCSE grades 9   8 7 A* A 6 5 4 B C 3 2 1 D E F G

Grade B (5) in the subjects chosen A Levels -18 subjects 2 years – AS in Year 1, A levels in Year 2 Normally 4 subjects taken Academic and challenging Entry Criteria 5 A*-C (five grade 9 – 4) Grade B (5) in the subjects chosen Grade A* - C (9 – 4) in English and Maths

Level 3 BTEC qualifications Equivalent to A levels – (usually 2 or 3) 1 subject – lots of units Examples: Business Studies, Health and Social Care, ICT, Forensic Science, Creative Media, Sport and Hospitality Entry Criteria: Need 5 A* - C (five grade 9 – 4) Grade A* - C (9 – 4) in English and/or Maths

A-Level and Level 3 BTEC combination 3 A-Level courses & a Single BTEC 2 A-Level courses & Double BTEC Entry Criteria: 5 A*-C (five grade 9 – 4) Grade B (5) in the subjects chosen Grade A* - C (9 – 4) in English and Maths

Level 2 BTEC qualifications BTEC Level 2 equivalent to 1 A*- G GCSE Business Studies Health & Social Care ICT Exam & Coursework components

GCSE RETAKES Retaking of GCSE English & Maths Timetabled lessons Needed for university entry

Slough and Eton Sixth Form

Thursday, 17th November 6.00 – 7.00pm Sixth Form Centre Important Date Thursday, 17th November 6.00 – 7.00pm Sixth Form Centre Year11 into Sixth Form Information Evening Details about courses and application process Opportunity to talk to staff

Where to find information Pupil Planners Fronter School website National Careers Helpline Unifrog Adviza National Apprenticeship Services School library Helen Cole – Careers Adviser (Wednesday)