Welcome to our Year 10 target setting evening Mr P McMenamin Deputy Headteacher November 2015

What we will cover this evening? Distribution of your daughter’s progress report and attendance data Explanation of progress report and attendance data Key dates in the Year 10 calendar Next steps and the sixth form Opportunity to set targets and discuss progress with staff

What does the progress report contain? A current grade: the grade your daughter is currently working at A predicted grade : the grade teachers feel your daughter will achieve in 2017 based on her current rate of progress A challenging target grade (the minimum grade we feel she should aim to achieve) % attendance to date GCSE grades go from 9-1 in English and Maths and A*-U in all other subjects We have also included a progress report if you daughter is accessing GCSE classes outside the school day Where a current grade is lower than the autumn grade, please remember that subjects assess different skills and knowledge at each assessment point so grades can fluctuate Where the predicted grade is lower than the target grade, action plans will have been created in each subject area

Changes to the GCSE grading system GCSE exams are being reformed with the first reformed GCSE courses being taught from September 2015 The subjects concerned are GCSE English Language, GCSE English Literature and GCSE Maths These reformed GCSE subjects will be graded from 9-1. Other GCSE subjects will be graded A*- U as has been the case since GCSE was first examined in 1988 (with the A* grade added from 1994)

Grade for English and Maths Comparative grade 9A* 8A*/A 7A 6B 5B/C 4C 3D/E 2E/F 1G

Why does this report matter? An important milestone towards summer exams They tell us as teachers where your strengths are and what you need to do to improve We are now well into the first year of GCSE studies so these grades will help to focus minds

Why do your English and Maths results matter? Students who get good GCSE passes in both English and Maths, along with at least 3 other GCSE qualifications will have a wider range of Post-16 options Students who get good GCSE passes in both English and Maths, along with at least 3 other GCSE qualifications earn a higher average salary over the course of their working life than those who don’t

English update Ms Whitehead, Curriculum leader for English

Two GCSEs English Language GCSE English Literature GCSE

English Language 100% exam 2 exams – No tiers of entry Component 1: Reading – Five reading questions on an extract from a 20 th Century prose text. Creative prose writing – 1 task from a choice of four titles. 1 hour 45 minutes. Component 2: Reading – Six reading questions on extracts from 19 th and 21 st century non-fiction texts. Two compulsory Transactional/Persuasive writing tasks. Spoken Language assessment – 1 task. Does NOT form part of final grade.

English Literature Component 1: 2 hours. Closed book. Shakespeare. One extract and one essay question on a Shakespeare text. Poetry from 1789 – present. Two questions based on poems from the WJEC/Eduqas Poetry Anthology. Component 2: 2 ½ hours. Closed book Post 1914 Prose/Drama – source based essay question. 19 th Century prose – source based essay question. Unseen poetry – response

Implications of 100% exam Knowledge of set texts. Importance of VSSPS. Regular opportunities for exam practice, both in the classroom and more formal setting. New grading system 9-1 – grade 9 not criteria based. Opportunity to buy own copies of set texts and annotate.

Tiers Foundation Grade 1-5 Higher Grade 4-9 So the key messages to take away are that a grade four will be equivalent to a grade C, and a grade seven will be equivalent to an A. NEW OLD

Three exam papers which are 1hr 30mins each Paper 1- Non calculator Paper 2- Calculator Paper 3- Calculator

The new GCSE is a much larger, more ‘challenging’ GCSE in Maths. There is more emphasis on solving problems that require multi-step solutions. There will be new topics at both tiers. In addition, students will be expected to learn key mathematical formulae by heart. For example;

Sciences update Mrs Hayward, Curriculum leader for Sciences. Mr. McBurney, KS4 Co-ordinator.

Three Pathways in GCSE Sciences 1.Separate Sciences in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (worth 3 GCSEs). 10Sc1 pupils - Currently completing units B1/C1/P1. - Next progress tests on B1/C1/P1 December Possible re-setting. - Due to start B2/C2/P2 after Easter. - Overall SIX progress tests will be completed in Y10. - Developing skills in HSW ready for CAs in Y11. - NO GCSE external papers this summer!

Three Pathways in GCSE Sciences 2.Core and Additional Sciences (worth 2 GCSEs). 10Sc2/3/4/5/6 pupils - Currently completing units B1/C1/P1. - Progress tests on B1/C1/P1 content in December. - Possible re-setting. - Due to complete B1/C1/P1 content in May. - Exams during Y10 examination week June Developing skills in HSW ready for CA. - Core Science CA in June/July 2016 (25% of GCSE). - Start B2/C2/P2 content in May Additional Science CA in January 2017 (25% of GCSE. External B1/C1/P1 GCSE papers: May External B2/C2/P2 GCSE papers: June Entries made at Higher or Foundation level.

Three Pathways in GCSE Sciences 3.Core Science (worth 1 GCSE). 10Sc7 pupils - Currently completing units B1/C1/P1. - Progress tests on B1/C1/P1 in December. - Mocks sat on ½ of the course in June Developing skills in HSW ready for CA. - CA (worth 25% of GCSE) sat in Y11. - NO GCSE external papers this summer!

GCSE Sciences Support Drop in revision sessions already operating for B1/C1/P1 and more available after Easter (lunchtimes and after-school). Core Science Revision Guides available in school (£3.00) from Biology Prep. Room. Revision materials available from individual staff. Past papers and mark schemes available from AQA website. On-line revision materials.

Key dates Y10 parents evening Wednesday 16 th March 2016 (4pm-6pm) Controlled Assessments ongoing Work experience 18 th -29 th January 2016 Year 10 exams begin 13 th June 2016 Employability interviews Summer term 2016 Year 10 reports issued July 2016

Holidays (use time wisely) Christmas: Monday 21 st December – Monday 4 th January 2016 February half-term: Mon 15 th February –Friday 19 th February 2016 Good Friday 25 th March 2016 Easter Monday 28 th March 2016 Easter break: Monday 4 th April– Monday 18 th April 2016 (Easter break, pupils return on Tuesday 19 th April) May half-term: Monday 30 th May – Friday 3 rd June 2016

Post-16 options Mrs Allerston, Head of Sixth Form

Why Bellerive? 99% Pass Rate at A level Excellent record for successful transition to Further and Higher Education Well-qualified and committed teachers Excellent facilities and resources Specialist college for mathematics, sciences computing and applied learning Excellent care, guidance and support Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre

Curriculum Offer A full range of a level subjects including some new subjects that you will not have studied before ……….. Media studies Psychology Government and Politics Health and Social Care 28 courses on offer across the Partnership Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre

1.Know what you want to study? – Check out the entry requirements 2.Not sure yet? – Keep your options open! 3.Think balance 4.GCSEs and other standard level qualifications matter… 5. Make sure you know WHY? Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre The Five Point Plan For Making Your Post 16 Choices

Entry Requirements Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre If you achieve 5 GCSEs at A*- C ( or 5-9 in English/Maths) you can take A Levels in Year 12. In addition, each subject has specific entry requirements. Some subjects, for example, require a B at GCSE

Wider Opportunities Leadership Opportunities Volunteering University visits Sixth Form Council Trips Duke of Edinburgh Mock United Nations Oxbridge Preparation Programme Bellerive FCJ Sixth Form Centre

What can parents do to help with GCSE studies in general? Encourage your daughter to attend extra support classes Ensure there is a suitable study location at home Minimise her time on social networking and the internet! Make sure you have a copy of the homework timetable displayed at home Continue to support us in making sure your daughter attends school and is punctual Contact us with any concerns

What happens next? Please complete the target setting sheet and pass this in to us before you leave Please collect a parent information booklet, a revision booklet and a study timetable This PowerPoint will be available on the school website ( Please contact the relevant subject leader if you have any concerns or speak to us this evening Many thanks for taking the time to attend this evening We will see you again on Wednesday 16 th March for Y10 parents evening