Working Together for Success

The Key Stage 4 Manager My aim is to help solve any issues that may arise concerning the curriculum. Concerns in lessons Falling behind with work Underachievement Advice on revision strategies Provide support to individuals

Positive Partnerships Research indicates that family involvement in schools increases student achievement (Henderson & Berla, 1994; Ballen & Moles, 1994; Epstein, 1995). It is important to work in partnership to 'get it right for every child'.

Changes to GCSEs All terminal assessment Revision becomes very important Good notes to look back on will be key Mock exam revision much more important Controlled assessment grades crucial Learning/ revising homeworks normal More in class tests

What is Controlled Assessment? Controlled assessment is the internal assessment component of the GCSE courses that is completed in school. It is completed in the classroom so it is supervised, so students are not able to work on it at home. It replaces coursework.

What are the advantages? It allows students to demonstrate their skills in class. A percentage of a GCSE is awarded for controlled assessment. Controlled assessment is carried out IN THE CLASSROOM, so time outside school can be spent preparing for vital examinations and class tests.

Is it for all subjects? No… Maths and Religious Studies GCSEs are courses that are based on examinations only. They include no controlled assessment.

Is it for all subjects? No… BTECs are different: BTEC courses have no examinations, assessment is carried out using a range of assignments, case studies and practical activities. Students complete a portfolio of evidence that shows the work they have completed. Students may work on this outside the classroom.

My Expectations Continue to foster positive relationships. Show resilience – dont give up! Ask for help. Be punctual and improve attendance. Be prepared – equipment / homework Meet deadlines – seek help and dont fall behind.

Students should take responsibility… Some subjects have as much as 60% of their course as controlled assessment, others have only 25%, so attendance is important. Catching up can prove difficult as it must be done in school, extended after school sessions are necessary to facilitate this.

Attendance & Punctuality Punctuality is also important as it an mean missing registration or assembly, two of the most important parts of the week in making sure you are prepared for learning/ getting the key messages

Journey So far… Progress was judged as good against Key Stage 3 targets. Yr 9 GCSE courses - Philosophy and Ethics 17% A*- A and 51% A* to C grade; But also 24% F-U. Revision skills need to improve for some. In general the attendance could have been much better in Yr9 (90.9%). This is an average of around one day a fortnight off for each student. At KS4, this means missed controlled assessment; missed topics for exams.

Attendance & Punctuality The government says that 95% attendance should be a target for all students. Two days off a month is a 10% learning loss. One day off per week is a 20% learning loss.

Working with the School Check your child is aware of deadlines and is meeting them. Make sure that they are using their planner regularly. Check your child knows when exams, tests or controlled assessments are and that they revise Check they are fully equipped for school Communicate with school if you need to: ring teachers or use the planner Make sure your child is attending fully

Top tips for supporting revising

Hydration Oxygenation Sleep Brain gym Nutrition Music Brain Boosters

Helping with revision

Learning is Emotional Students should make learning colourful, exciting, musical Give students a reason for learning. Set students goals for learning & reward their efforts Revising with music, breaks, food is good!

Some statistics to consider We Remember: 5% of what we read once 20% of what we read a few times 30% of what we hear 40% of what we see 50% of what we say 60% of what we do 90% of what we see, hear, say and do

Record it! Tape the key points, or make a podcast! Use different peoples voices Play it last thing at night - your subconscious will process it whilst you are asleep Most MP3s have a microphone

Flash Cards Posters Revision walls Lists and Notes Fact Sheets A variety of approaches to writing and remembering

One of the most effective ways of learning is to teach someone else – let students explain things to you Test your child – you could build in a testing period each day in the run up to exams Use on-line tests Study Buddy

% recall Time (days) 1515 Long Term Memory

To Make Learning stick Learn a topic Repeat in 24 hours Repeat for ten minutes at the end of a week Repeat again for 10 minutes a week later etc

English and Maths Key