1. Introduction to KS4 at Highgate Wood School What do we need / what can we expect from students, the school and parents? Advice to parents Timeline Q&A

2. National Context GCSEs are getting more difficult and the goal posts are changing This puts stress on students teachers and parents The government want fewer high level grades The only answer to this is to work harder and work smarter

3. Latest Results Year5A*-C EM 201168% 201272% 201368% 201468% The last two years results across the country have decreased

4. Results Needed for Sixth Form Art – Grade B in Art with C in Eng Language Mathematics – A at Maths Biology – B at Biology or A from additional science - B in Maths Media Studies – B at English Language or a C in English with a C+ in Media Studies. BTEC Business Studies as a single, double or triple award – 4 Cs at GCSE including at least a D in English Language. Chemistry - B at Chemistry or A from additional science - B in Maths Music Technology – C at Music with the ability to read music Drama – B in Drama and C in English Language BTEC Sport – C GCSE PE with C in English and an interest in Sport

5. Results Needed for Sixth Form Economics – B in Maths and C in English Language Photography – B in Art and C in English Language. For those who did not take GCSE Art a Portfolio can be submitted in July to gain entry English Language – B in English Language Philosophy – B at GCSE English Language with an average GCSE point score of 6 or over English Literature – B in English Literature and Language - plus reading for pleasure Physics - B at Physics or A from additional science - B in Maths Further Maths – A* at GCSE Maths Psychology – B grade at English Language and a B at Maths Government and Politics – B in English Language

6. Results Needed for Sixth Form Geography – B in Geography and C in English Language Sociology – B grade at GCSE English Language History – B in History and B in English Language Spanish - B at Spanish – native speakers do not need to have taken GCSE ICT – 4 Cs at GCSE with at least a D in English Language Textiles – B grade at Textiles or a B at Art with a subject interview GCSE Maths for those without a C+ GCSE English for those without a C+

7. Timeline DateEvent WB 13 th OctYear 10 concerns screen WB 15 th DecProgress check 24 th FebYear 10 parent’s evening WB 23 rd MarProgress check 12 th, 14 th, 20 th May Science GCSE exams for year 10 (core science) WB 15 th JunYear 10 exams start

8. Timeline DateEvent WB 13 th JulProgress check WB 13 th JulSLT meeting underachievers Dec 2015Year 11 Mocks 1 Jan 2016Year 11 Parent’s evening Mar 2016Year 11 Mocks 2 May 2016GCSEs start

9. Homework and Private Study Homework will be set regularly following the homework timetable Homework will be set regularly following the homework timetable Homework will be assessed in a variety of ways Homework will be assessed in a variety of ways If your child says they don’t have homework this is likely to be incorrect – ask to see it if they say it is done, contact the teacher if they say it is not set If your child says they don’t have homework this is likely to be incorrect – ask to see it if they say it is done, contact the teacher if they say it is not set

10. Homework and Private Study If the homework is not understood this is a good thing – students must not give up. Ask for help before the due date. If the homework is not understood this is a good thing – students must not give up. Ask for help before the due date. Tests are all very important. By doing well on them your child will do well in the year 10 exams / GCSE and better in the year 11 mocks and even better still at GCSE. Tests are all very important. By doing well on them your child will do well in the year 10 exams / GCSE and better in the year 11 mocks and even better still at GCSE.

11. Who to go to with concerns Any concerns that can’t be addressed by the teacher… Any concerns that can’t be addressed by the teacher… Contact the Head of Department if the matter is specific to a subject Contact the Head of Department if the matter is specific to a subject Contact your child’s tutor if your concern is more general Contact your child’s tutor if your concern is more general Communication between home and school is vital. It needs to be just right – not too much and not too little. Communication between home and school is vital. It needs to be just right – not too much and not too little.

12. How to Revise Regularly Regularly 30 minute blocks (5 minutes going over the previous work in that subject, 20 minutes revising new material, 5 minutes reviewing the 20 minutes) 30 minute blocks (5 minutes going over the previous work in that subject, 20 minutes revising new material, 5 minutes reviewing the 20 minutes) A 5 minute break after the 30 minutes A 5 minute break after the 30 minutes After two revision sessions at least a 15 minute break after another two sessions a good one hour break After two revision sessions at least a 15 minute break after another two sessions a good one hour break Build in relaxation with friends & family Build in relaxation with friends & family

13. Excuses and Answers 10 ways to avoid revision 10 ways to avoid revision 10 ways to avoid revision 10 ways to avoid revision

14. Excuses and Answers 10 ways to avoid revision 10 ways to avoid revision 10 ways to avoid revision 10 ways to avoid revision E: I do better if I don’t revise E: I do better if I don’t revise A: That is never true! A: That is never true! E: I revised at school / my friend’s place E: I revised at school / my friend’s place A: Excellent, show me your revision notes. After dinner you can do some more! A: Excellent, show me your revision notes. After dinner you can do some more!

15. Excuses and Answers E: I can learn by reading my text book E: I can learn by reading my text book A: This is never true. Revision must be active and always produces paperwork A: This is never true. Revision must be active and always produces paperwork Top ten tips Top ten tips Top ten tips Top ten tips

16. What are Controlled Assessments and when are they? Most subjects have controlled assessments Most subjects have controlled assessments They are internally assessed and have replaced coursework They are internally assessed and have replaced coursework They take place throughout the next year and a half depending on subject and teacher They take place throughout the next year and a half depending on subject and teacher They take place in school and so they do not cause bottlenecks of work They take place in school and so they do not cause bottlenecks of work

17. Attendance above 95%... …means that no grades should be reduced due to absence …means that no grades should be reduced due to absence 90% attendance (one day off per fortnight) will mean every GCSE is one grade lower than it should be 90% attendance (one day off per fortnight) will mean every GCSE is one grade lower than it should be 92/93% - on average half of your child’s GCSEs will be a grade lower than they should be 92/93% - on average half of your child’s GCSEs will be a grade lower than they should be

18. Additional Support in Year 10 In year 10 we use the concerns screen in October and the termly data to support students who are underachieving by: In year 10 we use the concerns screen in October and the termly data to support students who are underachieving by: Monitoring & report by tutors Monitoring & report by tutors House teams putting in place an individualised program House teams putting in place an individualised program

19. Additional Support in Year 11 Students who are underachieving (especially in English and Maths) are supported by the ‘Aspire and Achieve’ Programme. Each students: Students who are underachieving (especially in English and Maths) are supported by the ‘Aspire and Achieve’ Programme. Each students: Has a staff mentor Has a staff mentor Has a 6 th form tutor Has a 6 th form tutor Has a bespoke set of interventions specific to their needs Has a bespoke set of interventions specific to their needs

20. Final Thoughts Keep your child focussed on their success at school Keep your child focussed on their success at school Support us in supporting your child Support us in supporting your child Regularly speak to your child about their education Regularly speak to your child about their education Rewards and sanctions at home to support good grades attendance and conduct really do help Rewards and sanctions at home to support good grades attendance and conduct really do help

21. Questions?