Welcome & introduction Welcome & introduction – Miss Mason, Deputy Principal Supporting your teenager through KS4 Supporting your teenager through KS4 – Miss Prifti, Head of Year Success in Maths Success in Maths – Mrs Pearce, Head of Maths Success in English Success in English – Mr Miller, Acting Head of English Success in Science Success in Science – Mr Hawker, Head of Science Success in MFL Success in MFL – Mrs Allen, Head of Modern Foreign Languages Learning from Experience Learning from Experience – Bradley Turpin & Megan West, Year 12 Students

Getting the approach right!

A tough act to follow! 77% 5+ A*-C grades 60% 5+ A*-C grades including English and Mathematics The top 10 performers achieved 102 A* & A grades between them!

Option subjects Some off site learning Target setting & tracking Coursework and Controlled Assessments Exams! So how is KS4 different?

Your involvement is key!

...but what can I do? conversations questions listening ideas understanding

Be involved! Conversation Starters “I’d like to know more about your school/college project, what have you been asked to do?” “Parents’ evening is coming up. What could I ask your teachers about to help with your studies?”

Understanding Conversation Starters “Have you got much homework tonight? Tell me about it. Let’s see if there’s anything I might be able to help you with.” “You did really well with that coursework/test recently – let’s have a look at what’s coming up and have a think about what we can work on together next.”

Lack of confidence Conversation Starters “That looks interesting, what are you doing?” “You look like you might be a bit stuck; let’s see if we can sort this out together.” “What’s new or different about this project? Tell me about how you’re going to tackle that.”

Time Conversation Starters “I know you’ve got exams coming up. Should we sit down and look at what you’ve got to do and try to come up with a bit of a plan?” “Why don’t we talk about your new project on the way into town?”

Happy at School Conversation Starters “OK, I know you want to go out and that’s fine, but let’s agree when you are going to do your coursework first.” “I think you’re doing really well at school/college and I’m really proud of you. Let’s do something nice together ; what would you like to do…?”

Some favourite excuses... My work is on the computer at school.... I’m doing that work with a friend and she has got the book.... We didn’t get any homework because we had a supply teacher today... It doesn’t have to be in for ages... I need to go to the library... Mr X doesn’t give homework...

And a strategy for dealing with them... Keep track of the ‘excuses’ (they won’t be able to!) Agree or suggest a solution Follow up without fail Be prepared to investigate the excuse Remember the aim is to get the work done, not win the battle.

Linear AQA Linear Mathematics (syllabus 4365) Two exams taken at the end of the course. Includes many functional elements of mathematics. Internal assessment throughout the course. Success in Maths Mrs Pearce (Head of Department)

Success in Maths GCSE Maths NumberAlgebra Geometry and Measures Statistics and Probability Functional Maths

Success in Maths Paper 1– Non-calculator 40% of the course (1 hour 30 max) Paper 2 – Calculator 60% of the course (2 hours max)

Success in Maths Communicate with us any concerns Reinforce the importance of internal assessment Encourage ‘little and often’ revision Check homework is completed How can I help?

Equipment! own of the assessment is with a calculator. It is essential that students are well aquainted with the efficient use of their own calculator! Success in Maths Casio FX 83 GT from £5.65

Success in English Mr Miller (Acting Head of Department) English: Unit 1 Examination 40% Unit 2 Speaking and Listening 20% Unit 3 Controlled Assessment 40% Controlled Assessment: Five Assignments – two writing and three reading tasks. Complete in Year 10.

English Language: Unit 1 Examination 40% Unit 2 Speaking and Listening 20% Unit 3 Controlled Assessment 40% Controlled Assessment: Four Assignments in total: 1.Extended Reading (novel) 2.Two Creative Writing tasks 3.Spoken Language Study

Success in Science Mr Hawker (Head of Department) There are three routes to GCSE in Science BTEC in Applied Science Core and Additional Science Triple Science

BTEC in Applied Science BTEC in Applied Science is a 2 year course resulting in a qualification that is the equivalent of 2 GCSEs. There are two units, each with a externally assessed exam. Student performance is judged primarily by assessment of coursework. This course is ideal for students who do not do well in examinations and do not wish to follow an academic path in Science Post 16.

Core and Additional Science This is the route chosen by most of our students. Core Science is taught and examined in Y10. Additional Science is taught and examined in Y11.

Core Science There are four parts to Core Science. Three exams, each worth 25% in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. All sat in May/June in Y10 (2013). The Coursework worth 25% of the final grade. Done in the lab during the year. CORE SCIENCE FINISHES IN Y10.

Additional Science There are four parts to Additional Science. Three exams, in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. All sat in May in Y11 (2014). The Coursework worth 25% of the final grade. Done in the lab during the year. Additional Science begins as soon as the Core Science exams end in Y10.

Triple Science Triple Science consists of 3 separate GCSEs. They are Biology, Chemistry and Physics. All the exams will be at the end of Y11. 3 exams for each subject, each worth 25%- So 9 exams in May/June 2014 The Coursework worth 25% of the final grade. Done in the lab during the year.

Success in MFL The course is the AQA Full Course GCSE: Unit 1 – Listening 20%  Foundation (C-G = 30 min) or Higher (A* - C = 45 mins) Unit 2 – Reading 20%  Foundation (C-G = 30 min) or Higher (A* - C = 50 mins) Unit 3 –Speaking 30%  Best of 2 tasks submitted – internally assessed, externally moderated Unit 4 – Writing 30%  Best of 2 tasks submitted – externally assessed

Success in MFL Mrs Allen (Head of Department) At the end of Year 9, students completed one GCSE controlled writing assessment. This could count! How you can help:  Ensure time is dedicated to learning at home and preparing well for controlled assessments - Test & encourage them!  Support us in ensuring homework is completed  Encourage students to attend revision sessions in Yr11 prior to listening & reading exams

The Student Point of View Bradley Turpin & Megan West – Year 12 Been there, seen it, done it, got the T-Shirt (& our GCSEs!)

Key Dates This week – YELLIS tests Interim Assessments – performance grades captured & made available to parents online to allow real-time measure of progress. Snap shots taken: Mid November Mid January Mid March Mid June Monday 12 th – 16 th November - French & German Controlled Writing Assessment Thursday 6 th (pm) & Friday 7 th (all day) December – Academic Mentoring Event 18 th March - 22 nd March – Y10 Speaking Controlled Assessment for MFL Wednesday 27 th March – Y10 Parent’s Evening Monday 15 th – Friday 19 th July – Work Experience (off-site) or Ready for Work programme (in-school)