Year 10 Information Evening Thursday 17 September 2015

The Focus: Attendance Communication Controlled Assessments Exam management Revision Skills Use of target grades Changes to GCSE courses D of E

Miss K Lloyd Head of Year 10

Key Dates 22nd October 2015 – Summary reports issued (online) 19th January 2016 – Summary reports issued (online) 3rd March 2016 – Parents’ Evening 19th April 2016 – Summary reports issued (online) 14th July 2016 – Reports issued (online)

Importance of Year 10 Attendance Holidays Communication with the school Meeting Deadlines Online Reporting Mentoring Social Distractions

Year 11 students Amy Day Conor Hicks

Keeping to deadlines Dealing with pressure Managing exam stress Making the most of your time Planning and managing revision Taking responsibility for yourself

Miss S Taylor Director of Key Stage 4

Making the most of your potential Use of target grades Maintaining standards Controlled Assessment Terminal exams Behaviour for learning Online resources Use of class time and homework time

Changes to GCSE courses Reformed GCSEs : Mathematics English Language English Literature

Mathematics 3 exam papers (currently 2) More applied, problem solving question in context. New topics on the syllabus New tiering arrangement

English All students will sit both qualifications English Language 2 exam papers (currently 1). 1 hour 45 mins. Tests reading and writing skills More rigorous due to the age of the extracts Speaking and listening will be assessed and reported on separately. It will not contribute to the overall grade awarded.

English English Literature 2 exam papers Paper 1 – Shakespeare and 19th century novel. Previously taught as controlled assessment. Extract based exam. Paper 2 – Modern texts and poetry. 2 hours and 15 mins long. 60% of grade. The comparison element now between 2 unseen poems Students are no longer able to take text books into the examination.

Grades Legacy GCSEs : Graded A* to G Reformed GCSEs : Graded 9 to 1

Further curriculum changes Other GCSEs are being reformed for first teaching in 2016 and 2017 A levels are currently being reformed. All A levels will be reformed by 2017, so current year 10 students will be following these new qualifications.

Year 10 Information Evening Thursday 17 September 2015

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award The Sandon School

Bronze Level Award Service Sport Skill 3 Months on each activity Progress must be shown Log activities on eDofE Choose one to continue for a further 3 months Service Sport Skill

Expeditions Practice Day including Walk Practice Expedition Sandon School Saturday Practice Expedition Skreens Park (camp) Saturday – Sunday Qualifying Expedition Saturday - Sunday