Summer 2017 Hub meeting

Agenda Feedback from end of Year 10 tests Second set of specimen assessment materials Discussion groups (one or two of these topics) Maths assessment Teaching and learning of the required practical activities  Meeting the challenge of Combined Science Stretch and challenge   Focus for Autumn Hub Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Getting the most out of the end of Year 10 tests Why do the standardisation of mark scheme activity? What your analysis means for the pupil for the teacher for your Head of science Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

The analysis tool – how to use it The analysers can be used to: provide information to identify common strengths and weaknesses across the class/school support the development of strategies to target support and development across the science curriculum in teaching and learning inform planning and interventions at class/pupil levels help guide decisions on tier of entry. It is not designed to: provide grade boundaries provide more than a snapshot of student performance in Year 10 dictate decisions on tier of entry. Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Feedback on end of Year 10 tests Areas of challenge for students Revision of material May have carried out the practical work but learning is not embedded Basic exam techniques: repeating the information in the question, not adding to it conversion of units not using equations given Importance of the apparatus and techniques is being missed Quality of written answers and precise use of language Describing patterns Application of knowledge to unfamiliar context Lines of best fit can be a curve Linking information given in a question to what they know and then constructing an answer Maths skills: not familiar with some of new applications of maths not showing working out clearly Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Data sample If you would like to be included in our data sample, please enter your students’ marks to the detailed analysers and send a copy to us at gcsescience@aqa.org.uk by Friday 23 June. We will publish the updated analysers with the expanded data sample on Friday 30 June. Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Next steps: setting curriculum targets At this stage, departments are looking to address teaching and learning gaps for next year, as well as revisiting their approach with Years 9 and 10. It is not about revisiting content knowledge, but as a department identifying teaching strategies to target the areas your pupils performed less well in. Considering your school’s analysis, are there any obvious concerns? (Group analysis) Are there any areas to share good practice on? (Group analysis) Are there any overarching changes to make to teaching? use of command words in planned questioning unfamiliar context revision techniques revisited exam techniques – really read the question Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Effective use of the second set of specimen assessments Will be on Secure Key Materials only. Mirrors the papers of 2018 award – 32 papers. Allows multiple usage between specifications. Simple grid to show metadata – AOs, maths, required practicals, working scientifically, level of demand. Simple analysis tool for common questions only. Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Effective use of the second set of specimen assessments Things to consider: the length of the papers has increased common content and skills assessed between specifications each award has their own unique questions – no common questions between different awards when to schedule mocks how to analyse performance, plan intervention and consider entry level. Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Assessment structure: separate sciences Qualification Papers Content Length of each paper Biology Two papers, equal weighting. Topics 1-4 Topics 5-7 (Fundamental concepts and principles are on both papers) 1 hour 45 minutes (3.5 hours total) Chemistry Topics 1-5 Topics 6-10 (Topics 1-3 are common content on both papers) Physics Topics 1-4 Topics 5-8 1 hour 45 minutes (3.5 hours total) Total assessment time 10.5 hours Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Assessment structure: combined sciences Qualification Papers Content Length of each paper Trilogy Six papers. Two papers for each subject. Assessment split by content as separates. Questions on practical work in all papers. 1 hour 15 minutes (7.5 hours total) Synergy Four papers. Two papers for each section. Assessment split by skills. Most questions on practical work in Paper 2 and Paper 4. 1 hour 45 minutes (7 hours total) Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Level of demand: current vs previous Qualification Low demand 1-3 Standard demand 4-5 High demand 6-9 Previous Foundation G - C 70% 30% Foundation 2018 1 - 5 (4 = C) 60% 40% Previous Higher A - C 50% Higher 2018 9 - 4 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Discussion workshops Maths assessment Teaching and learning of the required practicals Meeting the challenge of Combined Science Stretch and challenge Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Don’t forget these useful resources Transition guides – Year 11 to Year 12 Six week teaching pack Biomimicry – ready for GCSE Year 7 test and implications for teaching and learning A-level online endorsement training Executive summaries and examiner reports Visit http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science for all our resources. Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Next steps Make sure you fill out the evaluation form before you leave today. Try some of the suggested activities with your department in order to disseminate the materials covered. Ideas for Autumn 2017 meeting: executive reports on 2017 series – implications for 2018 candidate answers with commentaries. Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Thank you Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.