1. Y7 and Y8 Parents’ Information and Consultation Evening. The Changing landscape of Curriculum & Qualifications September 2014

2. What has happened?  New National Curriculum from Sept 2014. So what is different? “Study fewer things in greater depth, so a deeper understanding of central concepts and ideas can be developed. Assessment should focus on whether the children have achieved this” Tim Oats – Chair of the expert panel which informed the review of the National Curriculum

3. What is the National Curriculum? Maintained schools in England are legally required to follow the statutory national curriculum which sets out in programmes of study, on the basis of key stages, subject content for those subjects that should be taught to all pupils.

4. What is the National Curriculum? Key stage 1Key stage 2Key stage 3Key stage 4 Age5 – 77 – 1111 – 1414 – 16 Year groups1 – 23 – 67 – 910 – 11 Core subjects English  Mathematics  Science  Foundation subjects Art and design  Citizenship  Computing  Design and technology  Languages  Geography  History  Music  Physical education  Religious education  Sex and relationships 

5. What is the National Curriculum? Key stage 4 entitlement areas  The arts (comprising art and design, music, dance, drama and media arts), design and technology, the humanities (comprising geography and history) and modern foreign language are not compulsory national curriculum subjects after the age of 14, but all pupils in maintained schools have a statutory entitlement to be able to study a subject in each of those four areas. The statutory requirements in relation to the entitlement areas are:  schools must provide access to a minimum of one course in each of the four entitlement areas  schools must provide the opportunity for pupils to take a course in all four areas, should they wish to do so  a course that meets the entitlement requirements must give pupils the opportunity to obtain an approved qualification.

6. What has happened?  New National Curriculum from Sept 2014.  Removal of levels from Key Stage 3 subject assessment.  All GCSE and A level qualifications assessed with linear examinations (summer 2014).  Significant reduction or removal in the contribution of controlled assessment to qualifications.  Reduction in the number of vocational qualifications that qualify for school performance.

7. What’s in the pipeline?  Sept 2015 - First teaching of new GCSEs in English and Maths.  Sept 2016 – First teaching of new GCSEs in most subjects.  New grading structure for GCSEs. A* - G will be replaced with 9 – 1.

8. What will these new qualifications demand?  Writing by hand  for long periods  from memory  at one point in the year  no use of technology  little practical application

9. The new GCSE grades explained…

14. Assessment and reporting at Millom School Current assessment system uses ‘levels’. Current reporting system:  Interim report twice a year  Written report once a year  Reports on – attitude, homework, current level, target level and ‘expected’ progress.  Same for every subject.

15. Assessment and reporting at Millom School.  How happy are we with our current process?  Does it tell you what you want to know?  Does it meet our requirements?  Is it fit for all of the subjects?  What short term changes do we need to make?  What longer term changes?

16. Assessment and reporting at Millom School. With the removal of levels we therefore have the opportunity to develop our own system that:  Is based on developing the key knowledge and skills required for success at Key Stage 4.  Is based on our high expected standards of students which believes they will improve because of the effort they put in.  Is based heavily on feedback that allows students to improve and develop a ‘can do attitude’.  Incorporates periodic testing or assessment.  Is simple and easy to understand – for students, parents and staff.  Has consistent principles, to be used across subjects, but the flexibility to be suitable for all subjects.