1. Year 10 Curriculum Evening
Ms G Barrett
Ms L Brennan

2. Content New GCSE levels Equivalence between GCSE grades and levels
Impact on students
What a ‘good pass’ looks like
Colleges, employers and universities
Increased demand
Impact on schools

3. 1. New GCSE levels
The GCSE’s your children are taking will not be graded A*-G as has traditionally been the case.
Instead they will be levelled from 9-1, with 9 being the highest and 1 the lowest level.

4. 2. Grade and level equivalencies9 A*
8.5 A 6 B
5.5 C 4 D 3 E 2 F
1.5 G 1
There is no direct translation between grades and levels, but as a rough guide

5. 2. Grade and level equivalencies9 A*
8.5 A 6 B
5.5 C 4 D 3 E 2 F
1.5 G 1
There is no direct translation between grades and levels, but as a rough guide

6. 3a) Expected attainment, or ‘a good pass’
Previously the expected attainment required to progress to A level courses or required by universities was a GCSE grade C
Under the new system the expected threshold is a GCSE level 5
This is roughly equivalent to a current grade B.
So the level of demand for a good pass has increased.

7. 3b) Colleges, employers and universities
During this transitional period sixth form colleges, employers and universities may have less clarity about entry requirements
There is no data which they can use to make direct comparisons with previous cohorts.
It will be more difficult for them to understand the ’currency’ of your children’s qualifications

8. 3c) Increased demand
At the same time as the grading changes, the GCSE syllabi have changed.
Content has become more demanding, stretched towards what was previously A level content
Question styles have changed requiring more independent thought, problem solving and essay writing skills
The expected level of response to exam questions has increased.

9. 3c) Increased demand
Exams will be taken at the end of the two-year course rather than as modules.
There will be more substantial texts in English literature and a number of new topics in Maths.
Everyone will have to do at least two science GCSEs
Coursework and controlled assessment has disappeared from most subjects, apart from practical ones such as Art, Food and Drama.

10. 4) How schools are measured
Schools have for some years measured by what percentage of pupils
Achieve 5 or more A*-C grades (including in English and Maths)
Make ’expected progress’ in English and Maths

11. 4) How schools are measured
School performance will now be measured by 5 key indicators:
Attainment 8
Progress 8
% of pupils who attain the ’basics’
% of pupils who attain the notional E-Bacc qualification
Destination data - where year 11 pupils end up
These changes make it more difficult to compare current and historical performance data, within and between schools.

12. Best 8 subjects Basics E-Bacc suite Other GCSEs English Maths Sciences
Humanities
Languages RE
English Lit
Arts

13. Further information
There is a lot of (mis)information currently in the media around these issues.
The Senior Leadership Team and some Department Heads will now be available if you have any questions or concerns.