1. 2017 Results
The headlines that schools now have to report to the DfE have changed.
We now have to report:
% of students who achieve the ‘basics’ – passes in English and Maths
Progress 8 – average score of all students across 8 subjects from their starting point
Attainment 8 – average score of all students across 8 subjects
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2. 2017 Results
PACA Basics:
% of students that achieved passes (level 4+) in English and Maths = 70% (FFT5)
% of students that achieved strong passes (Level 5+) in English and Maths = 50% (FFT5)
Attainment 8 score
Progress 8 score – not confirmed until February but it is very positive.
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3. Why do last year’s results affect my child?
Last year was a difficult year – new and harder qualifications in English and Maths. New information published throughout the year. This led to difficult decisions being made to ensure that students had the best chance of success.
This years all other subjects are having the new numerical qualifications introduced. There will be more late releases of information from examination boards and the DfE and we will ensure that our students and staff are not disadvantaged by this.
Your trust in our professional judgement is essential.
Last year’s results should build your confidence that we can navigate the difficult educational terrain, but we need your backing to translate that into success for your child.
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4. My child isn’t in year 11, why is this relevant?
Your child’s success at school is not just measured in grades at the end of year 11, but in the progress they made from the end of primary school.
It tells a story about their character, their work ethic and all the other things that universities and employers are interested in.
Therefore every lesson, from year 7 onwards builds towards year 11 success:
Every piece of homework
Every day of absence
Every period a student might not be able to attend a lesson because of a uniform issue
Every internal exam not revised for
Every parents / carers’ evening not attended
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5. Learning cycle
Missing any step in the cycle can damage student progress
Teacher input
Student applies learning
Feedback
Student acts upon feedback
Assessment
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6. Pre-public Examinations
GCSE examinations have no coursework.
Linear, lengthy, closed book examination mean that students must develop effective revision strategies and techniques to tackle high stakes assessments.
Frequent ‘mock’ examinations get students drilled in methods and formality of these assessments.
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7. How do we prepare students for their GCSEs?
From year 7 onwards
Learning cycle
Homework that involves preparation for lessons (flipped learning)
‘Walking talking mocks’
Examination analysis -> gap filling bespoke to the student
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8. What you can do to support your child’s progress:
Attendance
Attendance to interventions
Holidays
Helping your child to study and revise
All round support
Rewards and treats
Key staff
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9. Expert learner Launched last year at PACA Promotes independence
Provides focus on key areas such as attendance, attitude to learning, homework and entrepreneurial attributes
Encourages students to broaden their interests and skill set
Aspirational
Not ability dependent
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10. Attendance
Attendance is the single biggest factor in a child’s success at school. As a result 95% attendance is the minimum expectation.
If your child is not at school, we cannot support them.
We need you to support them in coming to school every day.
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11. Interventions to support your child
Year 11 students are expected to attend 4 after-school sessions per week from 3:30 until 4:30. Students will be given a timetable of the after-school sessions they need to attend and most of them have already started. Please support us by encouraging your child to attend.
How can you help?
We need to work as a team. Year 11 is a very difficult year for students and this can manifest itself in several ways. We need you to talk with us if you feel we can do anything to help. The entire staff are here to support and to make sure your child gets the best possible results, therefore giving them the best possible range of choices at the end of the year.
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12. Year 11 Timeline 175 days until first GCSE examination.
A classic mistake is to revise for the first GCSE only! Students need to plan their time and the sooner they start working, the easier the year will be. We would suggest ½ a day work at home on a Saturday or Sunday at this stage. From January onwards we would suggest a full day until their last examination.
This year, students will be taking on average 16 examinations.
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13. Providing all-round support
Ensure the message you tell your child is that they can be successful – even in subjects they find tricky. Their target grades are based on their performance at key stage 2. More than 60% of students in every year group are categorised as being in the top 2 ability categories nationally.
Any issues you have with school, please discuss them with us. Don’t give them reason to mistrust our judgement.
Keep us informed of any situations outside of school that might affect their concentration.
Have clear boundaries around screen time / gaming / phones in bedrooms – once these battles are lost, they are very difficult to re-establish.
Ban fizzy caffeinated drinks from home as well as school. Sugar has very negative consequences on concentration and mood.
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14. Providing all-round support
The best way to support your child during the stress of revision and exams is to make home life as calm and pleasant as possible. It helps if other members of the household are aware that your child may be under pressure and that allowances should be made for this.
Make sure there are plenty of healthy snacks in the fridge and try to provide good, nutritious food at regular intervals. Encourage your child to join family meals, even if it's a busy revision day - it's important to have a change of scene and get away from the books and computer for a while. Also encourage your child to take regular exercise. A brisk walk around the block can help clear the mind before the next revision session.
Try not make too many demands on your child during exam time. Arguments are counter-productive and will only add unnecessary stress and distract from revision.
It's important to get a good night's sleep before an exam, so discourage your child from staying up late to cram. And make sure he or she eats a good breakfast on the morning of the exam.
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15. How can I help my child revise?
The secret to doing well in exams lies in planning. You can help your child to create a clear revision plan and method of studying that will make them feel in control of their work.
Tips for revision planning:
work out a revision timetable for each subject
break revision time into small chunks - hour-long sessions with short breaks at the end of each session often work well
make sure your child has all the essential books and materials
condense notes onto postcards to act as revision prompts
buy new stationery, highlighters and pens to make revision more interesting
go through school notes with your child or listen while they revise a topic
time your child's attempts at practice papers
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16. Bribes, treats and rewards
“Encourage your child to do well for his or her own sake rather than for money or to please you. Explain that exams aren't an end in themselves but a gateway to the next stage of life - to another Key Stage or to GCSEs, A levels, university, college or work. Good results are themselves the best reward for hard work and will make your child proud of his or her achievements.
Make sure your child knows you're interested in their work and that you'll be proud if they do well. Provide small treats by way of encouragement - perhaps a piece of cake or some biscuits after a chunk of revision has been completed. The end of exams can be celebrated with a treat that everyone can look forward to, such as a meal out or a trip to the cinema.” BBC Bitesize
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17. PACA: Bribes and Rewards
The Prom: Invitations will be sent to students who have:
attendance of 95% or above
a positive Progress 8 score
an excellent attitude to learning
completed all homework set
attended after school sessions regularly
attended holiday intervention sessions
At interventions, we will provide refreshments where possible and tea an toast on a Friday.
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18. Key Staff Head of Maths: Ed Vale Head of English: Isobel McCall
Head of Science: Julie Taylor
Intervention Lead: James Vanstone
Pastoral Managers: Ms Clarke, Ms Moss, Ms Benett
Heads of year:
Mr Jones (year 7)
Mr Dunsdon (years 8 & 9)
Ms Rudd (Years 10 & 11)
Mr Watson (years 12 & 13)
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