Year 8 Information Evening Thursday 19th October

A very warm welcome A new and exciting year. Working together as a community. High levels of support coupled with high expectations. Communication is the key! Every individual matters! We want to be the best by working together. Self-belief whatever your background and what ever hurdles you face.

What are my expectations? Collective vision. Recognition, expectation, accountability, honesty. We support each other. We are honest with each other. We want to test each other to get better without the need to judge unfairly. Professional, robust, confident, collective determination. Gaining strength from each other to deal with problems head on, to celebrate success genuinely and to be the best. Clarity of purpose. Eg Staff better informed about the reasoning behind decisions. Staff feel part of decision making. Togetherness.

What are my expectations? The students: They are by far our best asset! We need to celebrate them more and get them more involved. They have the best ideas!

GCSE/BTEC Results Attainment 5+ A*-C (Inc Eng&Maths): 2017: 62% 2016: 56% 2015: 46% 2014: 41% 2013: 55% 2012: 55% 2011: 49% 2010: 46% 2009: 35% 2008: 38% 2007: 38% 2006: 35% 2005: 39%

GCSE/BTEC Results Attainment English and Maths A*-C: 64%

Expectations in Year 8 Green and orange feedback system. Students expected to respond to feedback. Staff expected to mark regularly. Homework: Show my homework (link available on home page of our website). Homework timetables available on our website. Report information home three times a year. Our assessment system is changing in Year 7 & 8:

Expectations KS 2 Level A*-G GCSE Target 9-1 GCSE Target 2 D 3+ 3-3.5 3.5-3.9 C 4+ 4-4.5 B 5+ 4.6-4.9 6+ A* 7+

National context New, more demanding GCSEs with numbers (1-9) Course content is more demanding in all courses Linear courses: all exams at the end of the course Reduction in controlled assessments BTEC courses: only certain courses approved - more rigorous in both content and assessment – external exams EBacc : 6 subjects in total – English Language, English Literature, Maths, Double Science plus a minimum of one choice from MFL, Computer Science, History or Geography KS4 curriculum: Core subjects: + 4 additional options (at least one of which must be an Ebacc subject)

Organisation +Determination = Confidence Confidence comes when you feel in control Get mum and dad to help They can help with your organisation eg check your bag/folders each week to make sure your filing is organised. Get them to help manage your homework: Show My Homework Website. Get them to help when you don’t understand Get them to contact the school if you are worried about work or falling behind.

Communication Never think you are pestering Always make sure you have fully understood Don’t let things fester Parents: if you are suspicious your son/daughter is not working hard enough you are probably right! Find time to sit down with your son/daughter and work with them. Go through their work. Check they have completed work and that it is accurate/correct.

From a student’s perspective Work as hard at the start of the year as you work at the end so the work load doesn’t build up Build on your grades gradually Prepare for tests so you feel more confident. Take breaks every hour not every 10 minutes! Don’t be disheartened by lower grades-the only way is up!

From a student’s perspective Feel rewarded by good grades Take it one assessment grade at a time. Work for good assessment grades. Look forward to parents evenings! The more you are organised and in control, the more confident you will feel. When you revise, turn off mobile phones, switch off facebook and concentrate properly!

Most importantly… Don’t feel anxious, we are a community and we help each other, so just ask for help! Don’t forget, your form tutor is there to help you. The Student Managers are there to help you. Ms Bowes, your Head of Year is there to help you. So are your parents and your teachers and your friends. We want you to be successful, confident and happy at Maplesden so, wear your maple badge with pride, remember that you are in the best school in Maidstone.

Core subjects ALL students take ALL core subjects: GCSE English Language GCSE English Literature GCSE Maths GCSE Double Science Core PE/HFL: NOT taken to examination level but part of the National Curriculum and taught to students in KS4

Option subjects GCSE: Art, Child Development, Graphics, Business Studies, Food Technology, Media Studies, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Resistant Materials, Film Studies, Psychology, Computer Science, Geography, History, French, Spanish. Vocational: Health & Social Care, ICT, Music, Dance, Drama, Sport.

Option blocks There are 4 option blocks: select ONE subject from each block and ONE reserve Choose minimum of 1 EBacc subject (highlighted in red on application form) Choose 3 other subjects

Application process Talk to your teachers during the Year 8 Consultation Evening (Thursday 1st March) Talk to subject staff on Options Evening (Thursday 8th March) Make sure you know everything that the course entails Select subjects that you enjoy Careers advice: Mrs Mortley available in school and Options Evening Application forms to Reception by Tuesday 27th March Make sure you select a second choice in every option block ASK if you are unsure – we are here to help you!

HAVE A FANTASTIC YEAR!!