Welcome

Current Year 10 intake: 250 students School National Average Point Score (KS2) 28.6% 27.9% % Prior Attainment Low 10% 14.75% Middle 52.7% 52.5% High 37.35% 32.5%

Progress 8 5 A*-C Progression Routes 4 LoP minimum Ebacc Class of 2016 100% pass rate Progression Routes 4 LoP minimum Ebacc A*- C in En & Ma

Subject specification details for all courses (enclosed) We want every St Peter’s student to leave at the end of Year 11 knowing that they have all given their best and made the most of the opportunities on offer. In order that parents and carers can offer the necessary guidance over the next two years we have produced the following support; Subject specification details for all courses (enclosed) Key website details to support additional resources for independent studies Scheduled dates for student / parent consultations to provide up to date and effective feedback on student progress Launch of ‘Progress Watch’ – A scheme which will ensure all students that are underperforming will receive the appropriate monitoring, intervention and support St Peter’s staff will continue to support the progress of all St Peter’s learners, ensuring they receive the highest quality teaching possible in order that we prepare our students for the next stage of their lives. I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God's help I shall succeed. Vincent Van Gogh

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. 34 weeks left (year 10) 27 weeks left (year 11) By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Benjamin Franklin

Main Agenda Supporting Progress from the home M Burt   Supporting Progress from the home M Burt 2. Understanding Course Requirements, Controlled Assessments and How we Report Progress N Ferguson M Hawker CORE Subject Learning Leaders - Mathematics S Hammett - English K Hamilton - Science S Swana - Religious Studies M Wilkinson 4. Careers Education and Guidance T Falconer

Supporting Progress from Home A zookeeper has lost the ability to distinguish between elephants and emus. However he is able to count eyes and feet. He counts 58 eyes and 84 feet. How many elephants and emus are there?

Supporting Progress from Home 13 elephants & 16 Emus

Controlled Assessments

What are Controlled Assessments? A form of assessment that have largely replaced GCSE coursework and make up a certain percentage of the final GCSE result in a subject Controlled Assessments will be carried out in school under the supervision of a member of staff. They are designed to take place in normal lesson time in the usual teaching venue (sometimes in the exam hall) Research and preparation can often be done before the assessment takes place

Will all GCSEs have a Controlled Assessment? No, Maths and RE do not but most subjects will The Controlled Assessment generally ranges from 20% to 60% of the final GCSE result depending on the range of skills to be assessed

When will Controlled Assessments take place? Controlled Assessments can take place at various times throughout Key Stage 4 Each subject has differing requirements For some, there is a distinct phase of controlled assessment during the year For others, the controlled tasks are ‘threaded’ through the curriculum after sections of teaching

Controlled assessment can occur in a number of stages with varying levels of control to ensure reliability and to make assessment manageable. High, medium and limited control High control – no access to internet, resources restricted to student’s own preparatory notes.

What will be assessed by Controlled Assessment? Teachers will provide information on the structures and specific subject requirements of their Controlled Assessment.

undertaking research and gathering, selecting and organising materials and information planning investigations and/or tasks carrying out investigations and/or tasks performance and production skills working with others and devising creative approaches extracting and interpreting information from a range of different sources selecting and applying tactics, strategies and compositional ideas taking informed and responsible action analysis and evaluation of processes and products presenting ideas and arguments supported by evidence.

Advice to Students - Be Prepared! Listen carefully when your teacher sets up the controlled test so that you are 100% sure what is expected Make sure you have, or know where to find all the information you need before you begin. Always ask your teachers for advice if you are unsure Make sure that you are aware of the percentage of the total marks which are allocated to the controlled test.

For most controlled tests you will be given help sheets to assist you For most controlled tests you will be given help sheets to assist you. Use these to make a sensible plan so that you do not waste time. Find out what the assessment criteria are so that you are aware of what you need to address from the beginning and don’t waste time on areas which are not relevant Use any time allocated to do the controlled test in lessons wisely. It is all too easy to fritter time away, be prepared before the lesson

Three final pieces of advice…..

ATTENDANCE is Vital

Year 10 is equally as important as Year 11; controlled assessments count towards the final GCSE grade. DON’T leave it all until the last minute!

Teachers are your best resource, use them!

Targets Targets which are set are challenging but realistic in order to motivate and engage students in to higher achievement They give an indication of the standards students should be aspiring to

3 D C 4 B/A 5 B A*/A Key Stage 2 Level National Expectation (GCSE Grade) St Peter’s GCSE Target Grade 3 D C 4 B/A 5 B A*/A

Key stage 4 science Red and Blue pathways

Red Pathway Triple or Separate Science 12 hours of teaching per fortnight 4 Biology 4 Chemistry 4 Physics 3 sets of homework per week Students will receive a grade for each Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Red Pathway Assessment Each Science has 4 Units Units 1 – 3 are content based These are assessed by a 1 hour exam for each in May/June 2016 Meaning a total of 9 exams for the 3 GCSEs Unit 4 is a controlled assessment on How Science Works skills We do two controlled assessments or Investigative Science Assignments (ISA) per Science Meaning a total of 6 The best mark for each Science is sent forward to the exam board The first 3 will be in April next year The remaining ones will be carried out in Year 11

Blue Pathway Double Award Science 10 hours of teaching per fortnight 4 to cover Biology 6 to cover Physics and Chemistry 2 sets of homework per week Students will receive 2 Science GCSE grades Core Science (Unit 1) Additional Science (Unit 2)

Blue Pathway Assessment Both Core and Additional Science contain 4 Units Core: Biology Unit 1 Chemistry Unit 1 Physics Unit 1 Additional: Biology Unit 2 Chemistry Unit 2 Physics Unit 2 These are assessed by a 1 hour exam for each in May/June of 2016 Meaning a total of 6 hours of exams Unit 4 is a controlled assessment on How Science Works skills 2 controlled assessments (ISAs) for Core and for Additional Science (4 in total) The best mark for each one will be sent to the board The Core Science Controlled assessments will be in April The Additional Science Controlled assessments will be in Year 11

where to go for help YOUR TEACHER!!! Revision guides Websites Were on sale last week from School We use Pearson’s, BUT any will be fine – MAKE SURE THEY ARE AQA SCIENCE A and ADDITIONAL SCIENCE Websites www.aqa.org.uk www.spexe.org/hosted/sci BBC Bitesize http://www.youtube.com/user/myGCSEscience

Quiz time! Are Red pathway doing Separate Science or Double Science? How many hours of Science per fortnight do Blue pathway students receive? 10 How many controlled assessments will a Red pathway student sit in total? 6 How many controlled assessments will a Blue pathway student have submitted to the board? 2 For what biological process is this the equation? C6H12O6 + O2  CO2 + H2O Respiration

Maths

Key Stage 4 Mathematics   GCSE Mathematics Twinned Pilot This qualification is available to selected centres as part of a National GCSE pilot from September 2010. Foundation Tier grades C-G available Higher Tier grades A*-D available GCSE in Methods in Mathematics is designed to provide a course in mathematics which consolidates the connections between mathematics and which the approaches the subject in a purely mathematical manner. GCSE in Applications of Mathematics is designed to provide a course in Mathematics which lends itself to applications of Mathematics in real-life, everyday contexts and to provide an introduction into financial and business applications.