1. GCSE assessment information evening
Thursday 9th November 2017
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2. Changes to examinations
New number grades
The higher the number, the better the grade…

3. A** (not currently available)
New number grades
Grade
New number grade
A** (not currently available) 9 A*
8/9 A
7/8 B
5/6 C 4 D 3 E 2 F 1 G U
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4. What do these mean?
Grade ‘4’ is similar to the old ‘C’, however, the government have raised the bar and will use grade ‘5’ to decide if a student with average primary school scores has made enough progress
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5. Changes to examinations
Most subjects will be assessed via 100% exam except in subjects such as art
There will be more ‘essay based’ questions
Students will need to have good literacy skills to do well across a range of subjects

6. How will you know if your child is on track?
Challenging targets have been set based on Year 6 SAT scores
Current attainment data will be collected 3 times a year (and predictions for some)
Reports will be sent home each time with this information and will also tell you about your child’s effort, behaviour, homework and organisation

7. Changes to English 100% examination – no Controlled Assessment
Only ONE paper – no tiers of entry
Length of examinations
Shakespeare and pre 19th century text in exam
Only one question on Literature- no choice of questions
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8. English
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Succeed together.

9. English
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10. Mathematics
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11. Mathematics
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12. Mathematics
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13. Mathematics
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14. Mathematics
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15. Mathematics
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16. Mathematics
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17. AQA Combined Science – 2 GCSEs
Pupils will be taught 24 units.
Biology -7 units.
Chemistry - 10 units.
Physics - 7 units.
The course includes 21 required scientific practicals that pupils must complete.
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Chase dreams.
Succeed together.

18. AQA Combined Science – 2 GCSEs
Pupils will sit 6 x 1hr 15 min examinations. 2 for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
15% of all marks will be related to practical skills.
Maths skills will form part of the exam papers in the following proportions:
10% of all marks in Biology.
20% of all marks in Chemistry.
30% of all marks in physics.
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19. AQA Separate Science – 3 GCSEs
Pupils will be taught 24 units.
Biology -7 units.
Chemistry - 10 units.
Physics - 7 units.
The course includes 21 required scientific practicals that pupils must complete.
The units are similar to those taught in combined science but go into more detail to provide pupils with a richer deeper understanding of scientific concepts.
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Chase dreams.
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20. AQA Separate Science – 3 GCSEs
Pupils will sit 6 x 1hr 45 min examinations. 2 for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
15% of all marks will be related to practical skills.
Maths skills will form part of the exam papers in the following proportions:
10% of all marks in Biology.
20% of all marks in Chemistry.
30% of all marks in physics.
Think big.
Chase dreams.
Succeed together.

21. History Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together. 9 10 11 Year Paper
Content
Exam
% worth 9
Paper 1: Medicine in Britain, c1250–present. The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches.
Thematic study and historic environment.
Ideas about the cause of disease and illness
Approaches to prevention and treatment
July in Y11.
Written examination: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
This exam paper is worth 30% of the total qualification. 10
Paper 3: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39.
Modern depth study.
The Weimar Republic 1918–29.
Hitler’s rise to power, 1919–33.
Nazi control and dictatorship, 1933–39.
Life in Nazi Germany, 1933–39.
Written examination: 1 hour and 20 minutes.
This exam paper is worth 30% of the qualification. 11
Paper 2: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88.
Period study and British depth study.
Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66.
William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066–87.
Norman England, 1066–88.
Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
This exam paper is worth 40% of the qualification.
Paper 2: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91.
The origins of the Cold War, 1941–58.
Cold War crises, 1958–70.
The end of the Cold War, 1970–91.
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22. Geography Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together. 9 10 11 Year
Paper
Content
Exam
% worth 9
Paper 1 Physical Geography (Natural Hazards)
Paper 2 Human Geography (The Challenge of Urban Environments)
Tectonic and meteorological hazards and climate change. Their causes and the impacts these have on different parts of the world.
Looking at features, opportunities and challenged of urban areas in contrasting parts of the world (Rio de Janeiro and Manchester)
July in Y11.
Paper 1 is a written exam 1hr 30mins
Paper 2 is a written exam 1hr 30mins
Paper 3 is a written exam 1hr 15mins
- Paper 1 exam is worth 35% of the qualification.
- Paper 2 exam is worth 35% of the qualification.
- Paper 3 exam is worth 30% of the qualification. 10
Paper 1 Physical Geography (UK Landscapes and The Living World)
Paper 2 Human Geography (The Changing Economic World)
Features and processes affecting rivers and coasts. Features and processes affecting tropical rainforests and hot deserts.
How and why national economies differ and change, comparing Nigeria to the UK. 11
Paper 2 Human Geography (The Challenge of Resource Management)
Paper 3 Geographical Applications
How supply and demand for resources (specifically food) change and can lead to conflict.
Questions relating to fieldwork and an issue evaluation from materials that will be seen 12 weeks before the exam.
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23. How can we all help? Think big. Chase dreams. Succeed together. Staff:
Recruitment of specialist teachers
Increased curriculum time in Maths and English
Re-written schemes of work that have tracked back from A-level
Catch-up sessions/intervention sessions offered when needed and will become more regular in Year 11
Period 6 for Year 11
Holiday school for Year 11
Mentoring in all year groups
Staff and parents:
Show My Homework
Parents’ evenings
Contact home regarding effort/attainment
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Chase dreams.
Succeed together.

24. What now?
Curriculum Leaders and Lead Practitioners from all subject areas are here to answer any specific questions you have about the course/revision guides etc.
More detailed conversations with your child’s subject teachers at parents’ evenings but please contact us sooner if you have a specific query.
Think big.
Chase dreams.
Succeed together.