Research has highlighted that the parent-child relationship could be the most important factor in a child’s academic and social development. Professor Tanya Byron reported:  parental or carer engagement is key to a child’s educational success, but many parents are struggling to get involved with their child’s learning.  Just 16% of children actively share any information with their parents about their school day. 43% of parents find it either difficult to extract information from their child about their day at school.  31% of parents admit to feeling ‘excluded’ when their child won’t tell them what they’ve done at school that day.

 Support the school in supporting your child  Discuss progress with them  Encourage them to get grade 1’s ( outstanding ) for their Effort, Homework & Attitude  Take decisive action when 3, 4 or 5 grades regularly crop up.  Come to Parents’ Consultation evenings & Progress Review Days

 Based on Prior Attainment – SATs & Teacher Assessments  They are the minimum level we expect the students to achieve  Students should aim to exceed their minimum target levels

 They match Predicted Level against their Minimum Target Level in every subject studied  They report on students’ Attitude, Effort & Homework using a 1 to 5 Grading Scale:  1 – Exceptional  2 – Good  3 – Satisfactory  4 – Work to be done  5 - Poor

SubjectMTL Predicted Level Effort Attitude Home work English6a7c111 Mathematics6b5b434 Science6b5c434 French6a 212 History6a5c444 Art5b6a111 ICT6b 212

CodeWhat the code means Z To memorise and review your work. YClasswork-ensure that all classwork is completed. XHomework-make more effort to produce work worthy of your ability. WPresentation-present your work neatly and thoughtfully. VOrganisation-ensure to meet deadlines TOrganisation-bring the correct equipment to lessons. SConcentration-listen carefully when the teacher is talking and follow instructions thoroughly. RConcentration-put more thought into your classwork QDetermination-maintain the high standards that you have set yourself. PDetermination-make more effort to develop your work and your skills. NDetermination-revise thoroughly for tests and for examinations. MParticipation-make greater effort to answer questions; be involved in class activities. LBehaviour-Work quietly, respect and do not disturb others. KParticipation-improve participation in extra curricular activities. JResearch-develop and make use of effective research skills to improve your understanding of the subject. Areas for Improvement

Category Grade (1 to 5) Explanation Attitude 1 Describes an exceptional student. This student demonstrates a real willingness to learn, is always polite & never argues or misbehaves. Effort 1 Describes a student whose work ethic is exceptional. Content & presentation of work & participation of lessons would be the very best the students is capable of achieving. Homework 1 Homework is always completed to the very highest standard & often involves independent study or research.

 Academic Progress Review Days November 20th July 5th  Monitoring Home November 13th March 19th June 25 th  Options’ Evening March 9th  Parents’ Consultation Evening March 23rd

Targeting underachievement Liaison with parents/carers Interpreting information Highlighting specific students Tracking underachieving students

Year Office to overview progress of individual students. Identifying students for each Tutor to monitor. Use of outside agencies where necessary. Monitoring attendance

Academic monitoring Direct 1 to 1 student support both academic and organisational Convening meetings with Parent and carers Linking Student, subject, parents and carers

KS3/4 Science Transition Course Modules in: Biology Chemistry Physics KS3 exam GCSE Core Science 21 st Century Science UNIT 1 Modules in: Biology Chemistry Physics GCSE Biology GCSE Chemistry GCSE Physics Triple Science Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 UNIT 1 exam(17%) GCSE module exam UNIT 1 (17%) UNIT 1 exam(17%)

 Exams: (worth 17% of the GCSE) May 21 st – Unit 1  In terms of the whole GCSE:  Y9 is worth 17%  Y10 will be worth 83% (33% is coursework)  What’s Next?  In Y11 most students will take a second GCSE in science  A small number of students will study for 1 Science GCSE over Y10 & 11

 Module Exams: (worth 17% in each subject) Biology Unit 1 - May 21 st Chemistry Unit 1 - June 9 th Physics Unit 1 – June 28 th  In terms of the whole GCSE:  Y9 is worth 17%  Y10 will be worth 50% (33% is coursework)  Y11 will be worth 33%

Key skills: En1 – Speaking and Listening En2 –Reading En3 Writing

Areas to cover: Prose Poetry Drama Media Original writing Speaking and listening Non- fiction writing Exam skills

Due to the removal of the SATs, we have re-designed the Year 9 course so that it becomes a preparation for GCSE. We will, after Christmas, start completing GCSE English coursework, which depending on the standard may/may not contribute towards their final GCSE English coursework grade.

Year 9 – teaching skills which will prepare students for GCSE e.g. this half term – essay comparing two poems and persuasive speech and writing

GCSE and beyond

 Students will cover the four main areas of the mathematics curriculum:  Data Handling  Number  Algebra  Shape and Space  This is covered through traditional lessons and investigational work

 Information gathered will help us decide as to which pathway students should pursue  The Maths GCSE will be new for your sons/daughters  The main addition is that functional maths skills (application of maths to the real world) will be embedded into the exams of the award.

 GCSE Mathematics and  GCSE Statistics and  Additional Mathematics – (a Free Standing Mathematics Qualification)  Fits between GCSE and AS Level  Recognised nationally  Worth valuable UCAS points

 GCSE Mathematics and  GCSE Statistics  2 full GCSEs awarded by the end of year 11  Students will have an added ‘string to their bow’

 GCSE Mathematics - covered over two and half years  Full support and time given to students who find mathematics a challenge  This will ensure that students achieve their best in the subject  The majority of students will follow this route