Curriculum & Tracking Mr Rhodes - Headteacher Mr Gordon Walker - Assistant Headteacher

Legacy to reformed GCSEs – All about exams All GCSEs now reformed, and will be graded 9-1 Emphasis on longer, linear exams with extra content More knowledge required and exam management/resilience is paramount Reduction/abandonment of coursework depending on subject (BTECs, Technology, Art, Drama)

Old to New Grading

What does this mean? Same proportion of students currently achieving a C, will receive a 4 or above. Same proportion of students who used to achieve an A grade or above will achieve a grade 7 or above. The top 20% of those achieving a 7 or above will gain a 9

How do we track each student’s progress?

Student Target Grades Student target grades are set using student prior attainment (KS2 results), then we set an aspirational target which add significant value when compared against the same prior attaining students nationally

Tracking student progress Progress 8 is the national method for tracking the progress of students. The measure takes the 8 best grades that students achieve and creates an average from that. If students are meeting their Grey Court target grades then they will be making progress that is significantly above the national average The ‘traffic light’ system on reports highlights student progress to ensure they are on track to meet or exceed their target grade Interventions will take place with underachieving students

Reporting You will get several progress checking reports in Year 10: ‘Interim’ report – current and predicted grades (Academic Tutoring Day: 28th November) – meet with form tutor 26th March– parents’ evening Trial exams week of 15th June End of year report – current and predicted grades and targets (July)

The Curriculum

Broad & Balanced Curriculum We offer a broad range of subjects and qualifications in YR 10 and 11 to ensure that our curriculum meets the needs of each and every student. BTECs include: Health & Social Care, Business & Enterprise, Music Technology, Creative Media and more GCSEs include: Eng, Math, Sci, Humanities, Languages, Art, Music and more Each qualification will provide students with the opportunity to make the next step towards their 6th form choice

How are classes organised? Maths, English, Science are all setted Option choice subjects such as Humanities, MFL, Art, Drama and BTECs are in mixed ability classes. For Option choice subjects, students are no longer in classes according to their Bands. Therefore, students studying an option choice will have both A and B bands together Core PE is still taught to every student

English- Key points New GCSE specification and examination in English Language and Literature - taught simultaneously in Yr10 and Yr11 Two separate exams for English Language 1:45min each, two separate exams for English Lit 1:45mins and 2:15mins No more controlled assessment or coursework; both Literature and Language are 100% exam No Tiers

Mathematics Three examination papers: Paper 1:Non calculator 80 marks 1 hours 30 Paper ⅔: Calculator 80 marks 1 hours 30 Two tiers: ‘good pass’ grade 5 available on both Higher tier: Grades 4 -9 available (if a students misses a 4, they will be awarded a 3) Foundation tier: Grades 1- 5

Science - Combined vs Separate Combined Higher Separate 6 exams: 2x Bio, 2x Chem, 2x Phy Each exam is worth 60 marks Each exam is worth 100 marks 1hr 10 minutes in length 1hr 45 minutes in length Tested on Y9 and Y10 content Tested on Y9, Y10, Y11 content Y11 – spent revising Y11 – spent learning the separate content Can achieve grade 3-9 Combined Foundation Exactly the same as Combined higher except: Can achieve grade 1 – 5 Exam questions are of an easier style

Science Key Dates w/c 14th October All Y10 classes will sit a science assessment in their lessons – 1xbio 1xchem 1xphy It will be based on the chapters that they have been revising/learning in lessons

Combined vs Separate The science department will track the progress of students throughout YR 10. The decision as to which science course students undertake will not be made until after their end of year exams. Any decision will be communicated with both students and yourselves.

Activity Days enhancing the curriculum 2 Activity days and an Activity week Each activity day is designed to support and enhance the curriculum October Activity day is a stock market challenge designed to develop numeracy, presentation and team building skills Activity week is completely focused on careers. Including work experience, visits to employers and careers guidance

OUR COURSES A-LEVEL SUBJECTS VOCATIONAL COURSES EXTENDED PROJECT ENGLISH LITERATURE HISTORY GEOGRAPHY GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS PHILOSOPHY AND ETHICS SOCIOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY ART & DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHY DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES CHEMISTRY BIOLOGY PHYSICS MATHEMATICAL STUDIES MATHEMATICS FURTHER MATHEMATICS COMPUTER SCIENCE GERMAN FRENCH SPANISH MANDARIN PRE-U VOCATIONAL COURSES HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE APPLIED SCIENCE CREATIVE MEDIA PRODUCTION ENTERPRISE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP MUSIC TECHNOLOGY SPORT ICT Entry requirements Must achieve a 4 in Maths and English & gain five GCSEs

What can I do as a parent to support my child’s learning? Take an interest in school! Try to (!) speak with them about their day Look at their books and discuss their work and the teachers’ comments with them Try to provide a suitable place to study; revision books; internet access; tutors; time to complete their work Help manage their stress Network with other parents

ANY QUESTIONS?