The Key Stage 4 Curriculum Paul Miller, Deputy Headteacher

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum Offer Subject Hours per fortnight No. of GCSEs or BTECs English (Lang. and Lit.) 6 2 Maths 6 or 8 1 Science (double or triple) 10 or 12 2 or 3 Religion and Life 4 PE Option 1 5 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Some students have additional English & Maths lessons in place of one of their 4 options

New GCSEs and BTECs Year 10 are studying new, ‘reformed’ GCSEs in English and Maths These are more demanding academically, and with more content There is an increased emphasis on Spelling, Punctuation and grammar (SPaG) in all qualifications.

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum Offer Preparing students for the new GCSEs and BTECs: Teachers will be ensuring their marking focuses on SPaG For most subjects, teachers will be providing weekly feedback to students

The new GCSE grading scale New grade 9 will be a higher standard than current A* grade Expected standard will be higher than current grade C

Assessment and measuring progress

New Performance Measures English & Maths (grades 5-9) English Baccalaureate Attainment 8 Progress 8

English & Maths Expectations for most students: A grade 5-9 in both English and Maths is the expected national standard These grades will be required to progress on to A Level courses in the Sixth Form

English Baccalaureate Expectations for most students: The ‘Ebacc’ is a package of subjects that most students are expected to study: English, Maths, Science, a Language and History / Geography A grade 5-9 or A*-C in all these subjects is desirable.

Attainment 8 This is a measure of overall attainment of a student: The average grade of a student’s best 8 subjects English and Maths are ‘double weighted’ This may become a measure used by Sixth Forms and colleges when considering post-16 courses x 2 x 2

Progress 8 A measure of the overall progress of a student: A student’s best 8 GCSE grades are compared with the national average for students with a similar performance in the Year 6 SATS For example: a Progress 8 score of +1 means that a student has achieved 1 GCSE grade higher (on average) than the national average for students of similar ability – i.e. made more progress than the national average. Predicted Progress 8 (P8) scores will appear on Student Profiles: P8 = positive – better progress than expected P8 = 0 – expected progress P8 = negative – underachievement

You will receive a Student Profile 4 times a year: Progress 8: +0.5

Controlled Assessments Controlled Assessments are a key part of the GCSE assessment process, and can represent a significant proportion of the marks awarded for a GCSE qualification. Controlled Assessments are usually completed in class under ‘exam conditions’ (or in the words of the examination boards, “a high level of supervision”), but may involve some preparation work at home. It is vital that students go into controlled assessment lessons properly prepared having revised the appropriate skills and knowledge or having conducted the necessary research, practice or pre-drafting. It is obviously essential that students are in school for all the controlled assessment lessons. Make sure you take a Controlled Assessment booklet!