Year 13 Parents’ Information Evening

Tonight’s Aims For you to leave with a better understanding of:  2013/14 results  Key Stage 5 Ethos  Target Grades  Assessment, Recording & Reporting (ARR)  Desired student behaviours  Student Support, Care & Guidance

New teaching staff – James Dunn, Head of History – Scott Hynds, Head of Technology – Andrew Grace, Head of Business Studies and Extended Project – Samantha Amos, teacher of Spanish with French – Michelle Justice, part-time PE Welcome back – Anna Leonce, part-time English/Media – Shencyn Hughes, part-time geography

SUMMER WORKS

 Astro-turf seating  English Block make-over – part 2  Library soft seating and reprographics relocation  New roofs: art studio, Augusta and DT/Art Block  Heating upgrade in Gravesend, Buckingham and Augusta  Windsor prep PCs have been upgraded but look the same  Augusta prep PCs have been upgraded and look different

Results 2014 Attainment

Gordon’s School Year 11 GCSE Headlines Listed in the Daily Telegraph's 30 top non-selective state schools for the last 10 years

 A Level results consistently in the top 5 in Surrey  Over half all entries are in facilitating A Levels: maths, sciences, English, humanities and modern foreign languages  Over half of all university places are to top universities – Russell / 1994 Group

Academic Enrichment

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT IN  SUBJECT-BASED OPPORTUNITIES  PERIOD SEVEN OPTIONS a)Career-Industry Talks b)Camel School Magazine c)Yearbook d)Chess e)Latin f)Debating g)Presentation skills h)TEFL Level 2 Qualification, two-day course (by application, free to all) i)LAMDA lessons free to all by application for those involved in (f) and (g)

Careers

Year 13  Y12 careers interview and Morrisby debrief concluded by autumn 2014  Selected students receive a 1:1 interview with Mark Anderson, usually those not going to university  All students invited to a small group meeting  CV checking service, professional recruitment consultant visit to give 1:1 feedback on CVs  Industry talks.

Autumn Timetable All the following talks will take place from pm:  Tuesday 16th September - A Career as a Pilot  Tuesday 30th September - A Career in the Sports Industry  Tuesday 14th October - An apprenticeship with British Airways  Tuesday 4th November - A Career in the Secret Service  Tuesday 18th November - A Career in Social Policy  Tuesday 2nd December - A Career in Law

Results 2014 Value Added (Progress)

Value Added Results - AS level 2014 Results Students made progress equivalent to the top 5% nationally Results Students have made progress equivalent to the top 20% nationally

Value Added Results - A level 2014 Results Students made progress equivalent to the top 15% nationally Results Students have made progress equivalent to the top 15% nationally

The Key Stage 5 Ethos Achievement Work Ethic Securing the future Balance

School StudentHome Helping students realise their potential Learning Student Support, Care & Guidance

What level am I working at? How do I know? What are my next steps? The fundamental learning process at Gordon’s Assessment events Clear, specific targets related to students’ work School ‘Position’ Statement

A level Target Grades School

Year 13 Target Grades A Level Grades Average GCSE Grades DCBA*A A B C D Represents ‘average’ student performance Represents top 10% student performance School

AS Results 2014 StudentGCSE PtsAS Target GradesAS Grades 15.5B/CACCC 25.7B/CDDUU 37.4A/BAAAA 47.1A/BABCD School GCSE Pts A* = 8, A = 7, B = 6, C = Average Effort Grade Effort Grades 1 - 5

 High quality teaching and learning - Lesson observations, student voice, data analysis  Regular ‘next steps’ advice in lessons - Tri weekly feedback & half termly ‘Key Assessments’  Department reviews - Triennial  Work sampling - Students’ books/ folders audited School

 Prep/ Self study timings - Year 12 = Minimum 6 hours/subject/week - Year 13 = Minimum 8 hours/subject/week School

Each half term there is a progress report sent home including: Target Grade Working Grade Effort Grade Next Steps advice*

 Assessment, Recording & Reporting (ARR)  Gordon’s ARR Philosophy - Little & Often (Every half term) - Conversation is better than written dialogue - Teacher’s judgement is valued School

 Effort Grades 1 = Outstanding 2 = Very Good 3 = Good but occasionally inconsistent 4 = Cause for concern 5 = Unacceptable School

Each half term there is a progress report sent home including: Target Grade Working Grade Effort Grade Next Steps advice – alternates half termly

Reporting Target Grade A statistically generated A level grade that is personal to each student and subject. Working Grade The A level grade that a student is currently working at. Effort Grade The grade that reflects how hard a student is working. It is not a reflection of academic ability or performance.

 Curriculum - 5 x 55 min. lessons per subject per week  Examinations - Linear (taken at the end of Year 12) - Controlled Assessment through KS5 School

There is no ‘magic dust’ at Gordon’s Those students who achieve great grades: - work very hard and are resilient - have 100% attendance - do the ‘simple things well’ - prioritise their studies & make sacrifices - see Sixth Form as their ‘full time job’ - spend the right amount of time on prep. Student

 Some anecdotes: - University places - Sacrificing part time work - Sacrificing a hobby - Easter, May Half term & anticipation of hindsight  Gordon’s is full of healthy distractions but, given we deliver such an academic Curriculum and students are assessed predominantly at the end of Year 13, including re sits, at some point they do become just that. Student

 Sixth Form Agreement (new ) - Designed to support students academically - Comprises a commitment from Gordon’s to our Sixth Form students and vice - versa School Sixth Form Agreement (new )

 Gordon’s Sixth Form will provide: - Guidance time (8.20 – 8.40am) - AS/A level Target Grades - Quality teaching & ‘Next Steps’ advice - Regular reporting - Facilities & resources - Work Experience & Career guidance - Clear communication channels - Extra Curricula activities School Sixth Form Agreement (new )

 Gordon’s Sixth Form students will prioritise: - Attendance & Punctuality - 100% at lessons & registration* - Effort - Average effort grade profile of 2.0 or better - Achievement - Meet ‘Next Step’ targets - At AS achieve no more than 1 grade below TG - At AS achieve no lower than a grade D - Volume of subjects - Follow 4 AS levels School Students who meet this criteria will be ‘on track’ to achieve their potential. Those that fall short of this criteria are in danger of ‘underachieving’ and extra self study sessions will be prescribed. Sixth Form Agreement (new )

Home Check books/ folders for quality of work/marking & organisation Regularly discuss school and ‘Next Steps’ advice Ensure students prioritise prep & get into good study habits Reward/ sanction consistently and regularly (accountability) Think ahead to career aspirations including University and/ or employment.

Miss Connery Head of Sixth Form & Assistant Head Teacher: Developing The Skilled Sixth Former

 Interviews with senior staff  Heads of House & private study facilities  Re-mark and re-sit discussions  Assessment Month in September  UCAS & Career Morning  Building new relationships  Independent Learning: study skills support  Induction in and out of the classroom  Planners & contact with home

 Heads of House, Head of Year, Teachers & Tutors  Elevate: planned programme throughout the year  Intervention: practical strategies to support success  Library Induction & Wider Reading  Extension and Learning Support  Private Study Facilities  Admin Weeks  Clinics & Revision Guides  Outside Speakers & organised events  UCAS, UExplore & Uni-Frog  Reward & Celebrate

 Student evaluation reveals they are positive and happy because they enjoy good relationships with staff and other students.  As well as formal calendar meetings the pastoral team operate an open door policy for both students and parents.  We recognise the individual needs of students including the full range of Learning Support needs.  We recognise the stresses of A Level studies and have an experienced pastoral team including professional counsellors.

 Period 7  CCF & Duke of Edinburgh  Volunteering Opportunities: 20 hours  Leadership roles  Inter-Form & Inter-House  Extension activities  Careers & Higher Education events  Trips & visits  Work Experience  Evaluation  Moving on

 Admin Week: W/B 15 th September  CV & UCAS Writing Day: Friday 12 th September  Oxbridge/Medic UCAS Forms: 15 th September  Study Skills Session: Friday 19 th September  Open House: Saturday 20 th 10.00am-12.00pm  UCAS & Target Grades posted : Friday 26 th September  Work Experience Parent Talk: Wednesday 24 th September  Exeat begins Friday 26 th September  Student Finance Talk: 1.30pm Wednesday 1 st October  Assessment month ends & Last Day To Change Subjects: Friday 3 rd October  UCAS deadline Monday 6 th October  Assessment month ends & Last Day To Change Subjects: Friday 3 rd October  Open Evening for new students: Wednesday 9 th October  Inter-Form Debating Final: Thursday 16 th October  NSA Report sent home: Friday 17 th October  School Parade & Harvest Festival: 19 th October  Half-Term Begins Friday 24 th October

Thank you for listening