1. The Key Stage 4 Curriculum Paul Miller, Deputy Headteacher

2. The Key Stage 4 Curriculum Offer
Subject
Hours per fortnight
No. of GCSEs or BTECs
English (Lang. and Lit.) 6 2
Maths
6 or 8 1
Science (double or triple)
10 or 12
2 or 3
Religion and Life 4 PE
Option 1 5
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Some students have additional English & Maths lessons in place of one of their 4 options

3. New GCSEs and BTECs
Year 10 are studying new, ‘reformed’ GCSEs in English and Maths
These are more demanding academically, and with more content
There is an increased emphasis on Spelling, Punctuation and grammar (SPaG) in all qualifications.

4. The Key Stage 4 Curriculum Offer
Preparing students for the new GCSEs and BTECs:
Teachers will be ensuring their marking focuses on SPaG
For most subjects, teachers will be providing weekly feedback to students

5. The new GCSE grading scale
New grade 9 will be a higher standard than current A* grade
Expected standard will be higher than current grade C

6. Assessment and measuring progress

7. New Performance Measures
English & Maths
(grades 5-9)
English Baccalaureate
Attainment 8
Progress 8

8. English & Maths Expectations for most students:
A grade 5-9 in both English and Maths is the expected national standard
These grades will be required to progress on to A Level courses in the Sixth Form

9. English Baccalaureate
Expectations for most students:
The ‘Ebacc’ is a package of subjects that most students are expected to study:
English, Maths, Science, a Language and History / Geography
A grade 5-9 or A*-C in all these subjects is desirable.

10. Attainment 8 This is a measure of overall attainment of a student:
The average grade of a student’s best 8 subjects
English and Maths are ‘double weighted’
This may become a measure used by Sixth Forms and colleges when considering post-16 courses
x 2
x 2

11. Progress 8 A measure of the overall progress of a student:
A student’s best 8 GCSE grades are compared with the national average for students with a similar performance in the Year 6 SATS
For example: a Progress 8 score of +1 means that a student has achieved 1 GCSE grade higher (on average) than the national average for students of similar ability – i.e. made more progress than the national average.
Predicted Progress 8 (P8) scores will appear on Student Profiles:
P8 = positive – better progress than expected
P8 = 0 – expected progress
P8 = negative – underachievement

12. You will receive a Student Profile 4 times a year:
Progress 8: +0.5

13. Controlled Assessments
Controlled Assessments are a key part of the GCSE assessment process, and can represent a significant proportion of the marks awarded for a GCSE qualification.
Controlled Assessments are usually completed in class under ‘exam conditions’ (or in the words of the examination boards, “a high level of supervision”), but may involve some preparation work at home. It is vital that students go into controlled assessment lessons properly prepared having revised the appropriate skills and knowledge or having conducted the necessary research, practice or pre-drafting. It is obviously essential that students are in school for all the controlled assessment lessons.
Make sure you take a Controlled Assessment booklet!