Assessment and Achievement in Year 10

What are my target grades? Your target grades are based on how well you achieved in your KS2 SATs and, of course, the progress you have made since starting Fazakerley High School. These targets are the minimum grades you should aim to achieve. Be aware, they might differ slightly from subject to subject. Ensure you know them. Don’t forget, there is NOTHING stopping you from achieving the very top grades at GCSE.

How do I achieve my target grades? As well as working hard in school and attending revision sessions, you must make sure that you attend school every day and on time. This is non-negotiable. You should also know what examination board syllabus you are following in each subject. Check with your teacher and visit the website. Exam board websites contain past papers, mark schemes and examiners reports. Be proactive – do them all. START NOW! Knowledge is power!

How well am I doing? How do I improve? Don’t forget: you are in control of your own learning. If you aren’t sure of how well you are doing, ask your teacher. In each of your subjects, you will have been given assessment criteria – use this to help you improve. In Year 10, you will be assessed continually by your teachers throughout the year – you will also sit a more formal end of year examination in June 2017. In Year 11, you will sit 2 mock exams: one in December and one in March. Depending on how well you do in the December mock, you may be required to redo the exam in January. Get it right the first time round. Mock results are sent home to your parents/guardians.

What kind of GCSE grade will I receive? In summer 2018, you will receive numerical grades 9-1 in the following GCSE subjects: English Language and Literature Mathematics Combined Science French/Spanish/German History Art Computer Science Dance Music P.E. R.E. The diagram on the right shows how they compare to alphabetic grades:

In the following subjects, you will receive alphabetic grades (A*-G): Business Studies ICT Statistics Textiles Resistant Materials For those of you following a BTEC course, you will receive either Distinction*, Distinction, Merit or Pass. It goes without saying, it is so important that you achieve the best possible grades. This will give you OPTIONS in the future.

Thursday 23th August 2018 This is GCSE results day. Work hard now to ensure that this day has the best possible outcome. It could be the best day of your life so far.

You are all capable of achieving your target grades. It is NOT TOO LATE. Don’t forget: You are the masters of your own destiny.