1. Key changes to GCSE Courses for Y10 students

2. Key Changes
Students starting GCSE courses in September 2015 will follow the new GCSE 2015 courses in English and Mathematics.
All other courses will still follow the old GCSE courses (they are not timetabled to change until next year)
So current Y10 students will sit a mixture of old and new style GCSEs
Increased amount of content, increased level of difficulty and increased number of examinations

3. New Grading System The new GCSEs have a different grading structure
Instead of grades A* - G, they will be graded from 9 – 1 (with 9 being the highest)
These grades do not directly correspond to National Curriculum levels or Steps i.e. a grade 7 is not the same as level 7 or step 7.
and-a-level-changes/structure-of-new-gcses

4. Maths
Due to the increase in the amount of content being taught there is an increase in examination time from 3 ½ hours to 4 ½ hours (three 1 ½ hour exams)
An increased emphasis on problem solving and applying knowledge
An increased focus upon use of Ratio and Proportion
Students will be expected to learn and remember more formulae
Students will be expected to learn and remember key values of trigonometric functions e.g. Sin 30
There are still two tiers of entry – Higher and Foundation

5. Maths - Higher
Higher will cover grades 9 – 5 with 50% of the paper being targeted at grades 7-9 (A/A* material)
Exams made more demanding as a better preparation for A-level
New topics brought on to syllabus including functions, iteration, finding gradients to curves and areas under graphs (previously AS level)
More algebra than old exam – 30% of the exam will now be algebra based questions
Less statistics than old exam – only 15% of the exam

6. Maths - Foundation
Foundation will cover grades 5 – 1 with 50% of the paper being targeted at grades 3-5 (D-B)
Will be significantly harder than current GCSE particularly for the weakest students
Like the old ‘Intermediate’ level papers (pre 2008)
Lots of ‘B’ grade topics now on Foundation e.g. Standard Form, Trigonometry, Simultaneous Equations, Factorising quadratic equations
Less statistics than old exam – only 15% of new exam
50% of the exam will focus upon Number, Ratio & Proportion

7. Maths Teachers 11X 11Y Mr. Quinn Miss Dixon Mrs. Chapman Mr. Nicholson
Miss Chan
Miss Grime

8. Maths support
More Maths lessons – this year Y10 are getting 8 Maths lesson per fortnight (in previous years they would have had 6 Maths lessons per fortnight)
Homework and support sessions – Monday and Thursday lunchtimes
MyMaths – all students have their own personal login (can be re-issued if forgotten)
Revision guides – can be purchased from the Maths department at cost price
Additional support – Mrs Robinson and Mr Hopkins will be providing targeted intervention for individual students

9. Mrs Hammill Curriculum Leader for English

10. The English Department Year 10 GCSE Teachers
X Block
Y Block
10 X1: Mrs Hammill
10 X2: Miss Thompson
10 X3: Miss Connelly
10 X4: Mrs Adams
10 Y1: Miss Thompson
10 Y2: Mrs FirMan
10Y3: Mrs Adams
10Y4: Miss Baines

11. GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature
All students in Year 10 are studying for both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature. Students will be awarded 2 GCSEs.
There is no longer any Controlled Assessment or Coursework for either GCSE.
Both GCSEs are assessed by 100% exam.
Student can only take their exams at the end of Year 11 and can only sit their exams once.

12. Supporting your child in English
School will be providing all students with their own copies of the key texts so that they can work independently at home and revise.
Encourage your child to read. Reading lists will be available later this term with suggestions.
Read through your child's homework to help them proof- read for written accuracy, particularly spelling.