GCSE assessment information evening Thursday 9th November 2017 Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

Changes to examinations New number grades The higher the number, the better the grade…

A** (not currently available) New number grades Grade New number grade A** (not currently available) 9 A* 8/9 A 7/8 B 5/6 C 4 D 3 E 2 F 1 G U Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

What do these mean? Grade ‘4’ is similar to the old ‘C’, however, the government have raised the bar and will use grade ‘5’ to decide if a student with average primary school scores has made enough progress Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

Changes to examinations Most subjects will be assessed via 100% exam except in subjects such as art There will be more ‘essay based’ questions Students will need to have good literacy skills to do well across a range of subjects

How will you know if your child is on track? Challenging targets have been set based on Year 6 SAT scores Current attainment data will be collected 3 times a year (and predictions for some) Reports will be sent home each time with this information and will also tell you about your child’s effort, behaviour, homework and organisation

Changes to English 100% examination – no Controlled Assessment Only ONE paper – no tiers of entry Length of examinations Shakespeare and pre 19th century text in exam Only one question on Literature- no choice of questions Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

English Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

English Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

Mathematics Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

Mathematics Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

Mathematics Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

Mathematics Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

Mathematics Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

Mathematics Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

Mathematics Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

AQA Combined Science – 2 GCSEs Pupils will be taught 24 units. Biology -7 units. Chemistry - 10 units. Physics - 7 units. The course includes 21 required scientific practicals that pupils must complete. Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

AQA Combined Science – 2 GCSEs Pupils will sit 6 x 1hr 15 min examinations. 2 for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. 15% of all marks will be related to practical skills. Maths skills will form part of the exam papers in the following proportions: 10% of all marks in Biology. 20% of all marks in Chemistry. 30% of all marks in physics. Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

AQA Separate Science – 3 GCSEs Pupils will be taught 24 units. Biology -7 units. Chemistry - 10 units. Physics - 7 units. The course includes 21 required scientific practicals that pupils must complete. The units are similar to those taught in combined science but go into more detail to provide pupils with a richer deeper understanding of scientific concepts. Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

AQA Separate Science – 3 GCSEs Pupils will sit 6 x 1hr 45 min examinations. 2 for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. 15% of all marks will be related to practical skills. Maths skills will form part of the exam papers in the following proportions: 10% of all marks in Biology. 20% of all marks in Chemistry. 30% of all marks in physics. Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

History Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together. 9 10 11 Year Paper Content Exam % worth 9 Paper 1: Medicine in Britain, c1250–present. The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches. Thematic study and historic environment. Ideas about the cause of disease and illness Approaches to prevention and treatment July in Y11. Written examination: 1 hour and 15 minutes. This exam paper is worth 30% of the total qualification. 10 Paper 3: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39. Modern depth study. The Weimar Republic 1918–29. Hitler’s rise to power, 1919–33. Nazi control and dictatorship, 1933–39. Life in Nazi Germany, 1933–39. Written examination: 1 hour and 20 minutes. This exam paper is worth 30% of the qualification. 11 Paper 2: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88. Period study and British depth study. Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66. William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066–87. Norman England, 1066–88. Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes. This exam paper is worth 40% of the qualification. Paper 2: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91. The origins of the Cold War, 1941–58. Cold War crises, 1958–70. The end of the Cold War, 1970–91. Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

Geography Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together. 9 10 11 Year Paper Content Exam % worth 9 Paper 1 Physical Geography (Natural Hazards) Paper 2 Human Geography (The Challenge of Urban Environments) Tectonic and meteorological hazards and climate change. Their causes and the impacts these have on different parts of the world. Looking at features, opportunities and challenged of urban areas in contrasting parts of the world (Rio de Janeiro and Manchester) July in Y11. Paper 1 is a written exam 1hr 30mins Paper 2 is a written exam 1hr 30mins Paper 3 is a written exam 1hr 15mins - Paper 1 exam is worth 35% of the qualification. - Paper 2 exam is worth 35% of the qualification. - Paper 3 exam is worth 30% of the qualification. 10 Paper 1 Physical Geography (UK Landscapes and The Living World) Paper 2 Human Geography (The Changing Economic World) Features and processes affecting rivers and coasts. Features and processes affecting tropical rainforests and hot deserts. How and why national economies differ and change, comparing Nigeria to the UK. 11 Paper 2 Human Geography (The Challenge of Resource Management) Paper 3 Geographical Applications How supply and demand for resources (specifically food) change and can lead to conflict. Questions relating to fieldwork and an issue evaluation from materials that will be seen 12 weeks before the exam. Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

How can we all help? Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together. Staff: Recruitment of specialist teachers Increased curriculum time in Maths and English Re-written schemes of work that have tracked back from A-level Catch-up sessions/intervention sessions offered when needed and will become more regular in Year 11 Period 6 for Year 11 Holiday school for Year 11 Mentoring in all year groups Staff and parents: Show My Homework Parents’ evenings Contact home regarding effort/attainment Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.

What now? Curriculum Leaders and Lead Practitioners from all subject areas are here to answer any specific questions you have about the course/revision guides etc. More detailed conversations with your child’s subject teachers at parents’ evenings but please contact us sooner if you have a specific query. Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together.