Year 9 Parents Assessment and Reporting Support Evening New GCSE Reforms Reporting to Parents English and Maths Information Revision Support

GCSE Reforms New GCSE Specifications are being followed in all GCSE subjects They will follow the new grading system 9 - 1 rather than A* - G

Grading Structure Bottom of Grade 1 = Grade G Grade 4 and above = Grade C and above Grade 5 = top third of C and bottom third of B = Good Pass Grade 7 and above = Grade A and above Grade 9 will be awarded to top 20% of students achieving Grade 7 or above

School Reports Attendance Punctuality Targets Performance Indicators (PI) Behaviour and Effort Marks Classwork and Homework

Parents & Students Mrs Rudhun-Imrith Head of English

English GCSE – Key Information New GCSEs in ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE Key Information

General information Your child will be studying for the double award in English. GCSE English Literature & GCSE English Language They will sit both the Literature and Language exam in Y11 Both GCSEs are independent of each other so the grade in one does not effect the other – but both are EQUALLY very IMPORTANT for your child’s success!

The examination board is the AQA Anyone can access the website and look at specimen papers, mark schemes to allow students to do extra work at home.

Non Tiered exams

What will the department do to ensure your child’s success? High quality teaching in the classroom Targeted Intervention program Mock exam session in December and March in Y11 with ongoing assessments throughout the three year course Information on your child’s progress Support you and your child with exam preparation through homework Provide revision material and resources to assist your child with independent learning

How YOU can help! Encourage your child to use revision websites/materials regularly. Encourage your child to read around the text he/she is studying. Teachers will set regular research homework and projects to support this. Specimen Papers and mark schemes are available to download from the AQA website – so students can access those for extra work. Although we read the texts in class, it is crucial that the students read the texts again at home to consolidate their learning and understanding.

HOMEWORK This is not optional! Students should complete this to the highest standard as it informs their targets Students should not be afraid to ask for additional guidance, help or support Help ensure deadlines are met!

Revision Classes Pupils may be specifically requested to attend revision classes if the classroom teacher feels extra intervention is needed. Parents will be informed by letter or telephone if this is the case.

Encouragement! This is a challenging time and a little encouragement goes a long way…

9-1 GCSE MATHS Board: EdExcel 3 papers: 1.5 hour each 1 Non Calculator paper, 2 Calculator papers 80 marks each Foundation covers grades 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (U) Higher covering grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, (3), (U)

Qualification at a glance The assessments will cover the following content headings: 1 Number 2 Algebra 3 Ratio, proportion and rates of change 4 Geometry and measures 5 Probability 6 Statistics

Tier Topic area Weighting Foundation Number 22 - 28% Algebra 17 - 23% Ratio, Proportion and Rates of change 22 - 28% Geometry and Measures 12 - 18% Statistics & Probability 12 - 18% Higher Number 12 - 18% Algebra 27 - 33% Ratio, Proportion and Rates of change 17 - 23% Geometry and Measures 17 - 23% Statistics & Probability 12 - 18%

New Foundation topics: Index laws Compound interest Direct and indirect proportion Factorising quadratics Simultaneous equations Cubic and reciprocal graphs Trigonometry - the sine, cosine and tangent ratios, Arc lengths and sectors of circles Vectors Density Tree Diagrams New Higher topics: Expand products of more than two binomials Interpret the reverse process as the 'inverse function'; interpret the succession of two functions as a 'composite function' (using formal function notation) Deduce turning points on a quadratic function by completing the square Estimating gradients of graphs and areas under graphs Simple geometric progressions including surds and interpret results in real-life cases Nth term of quadratic sequences Venn diagrams and conditional probability

RECOMMENDED REVISION GUIDE REVISE Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics Higher/Foundation Revision Guide (with online edition): Higher : for the 2015 qualifications

USEFUL WEBSITES MathsWatch – vle.mathswatch.com Login: school id number @allsaintscatholicschool Password: mathswatch Free websites with topic by topic past exam questions: www.keshmaths.com www.corbettmaths.com

Surviving the GCSEs

How Can I Help? Make sure your child has all the notes & books he/she needs for homework, assessments and revision. Encourage them to start re-reading their notes Sit down and work through a few sample questions. Remind them to Ask for help at school if there is anything they don’t understand.

How Can I Help? Make sure you can provide a quiet place where they can study and where their work can be kept safely. Reward them when you know they have worked hard – a treat! Make sure you encourage them to get plenty of sleep. Make sure you encourage them to drink plenty of water Allow time for relaxation. Remember that it will soon be over!

New Eton head to put emphasis on pupils' emotional intelligence School’s youngest headmaster signals change in tone and will take holistic approach to focus on happiness and mental health rather than elitism The new headmaster of Eton College wants to develop emotional intelligence in his pupils and provide them with a “holistic, rounded” education. Simon Henderson, who recently took over the headship of the top public school, is attempting to signal a change of tone at Eton – a byword for privilege, power and considerable wealth. “The whole point of school is to prepare young people for happiness and success in their personal lives and working lives,” Henderson told the Guardian. “There’s more awareness of emotional intelligence and of mental health, of young people building confidence and resilience to manage themselves in a fast-changing, challenging environment,” he said.