YEAR 1

0

WELC

OME PARENTS

EVENING

School Home

Student

THE CORE CURRICULUM

Subject GCSE/Course

English Language and Literature 2 GCSE

Mathematics 1 GCSE

Core Science 1 GCSE/BTEC

Religious Studies 1 GCSE

Citizenship Studies 1 GCSE

Physical Education

OPTIONS

Most students with the core and the options combined study 10 GCSE/BTEC subjects

Key Stage 4 curriculum changes from September 2012.

 End-of-course GCSE examsSince Sept 2012 there have been significant changes to GCSE and BTEC qualifications. •These changes include a return to exams taken at the end of the course, and measures to improve the assessment of spelling, punctuation and grammar.•As the regulations stand at the moment. Students will still be able to retake a full GCSE in Maths, English and English language in November of their year 12• Other retakes will be available only in the summer •Controlled assessments ( which replaced coursework) are internal assessments and not part of the exam cycle, so the timing of these will not be affected by the change. •Spelling, punctuation and grammarMarks will be awarded for accurate spelling, punctuation and use of grammar  in GCSE exams that have a sufficient written English element.  BTECs and other vocational courses At least 20% will be externally assessed.

CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT

GCSE Coursework has goneIt has been replaced by

controlled assessmentAll work has to be completed at

school under controlled conditions within a set time limit

The timetable is on the website!

HOW C

AN WE A

SSIST

STUDENTS

TO A

CHIEVE

THEIR

FULL

POTE

NTIAL?

School Home

Student

HOW CAN YOU ASSIST AT HOME?

• Be aware of the controlled assessment calendar and when students have these to complete

• Help students to get their files and books organised

• Ensure that everyone in the family knows the importance of external examinations and that study rooms are free from disturbance

• Equipping: provide pens, paper, cards, highlighters, folders, etc.

• Offer support and advice

School Home

Student

NEGOTIATE

Periods of time for revision well in advance of exams especially at Easter

The most appropriate revision periods during the day, when distractions are least likely

Reduce distractions in the revision room

(e.g. TV, radio, and switch off mobile phones)

ENCOURAGEMENTAssist students to stick to their homework timetable.

Encourage them to do their best.

5 A-C grades are essential for most 6th forms and colleges.

Offer to test material

Use of revision websites e.g. BBC Bitesize etc

REVISION TIMETABLES

Timetable Students need to create time for revision

Keep the sessions short

Set targets to be met for each session

Take regular breaks- every 40 minutes -hour

Ensure time is allocated for:Repetition and recallFrequent testing- at different levels of difficultyRe-testing

www.myrevisionplan.com

DEVELOPING STUDY SKILLS

Its essential students develop good study skills from the outset

CARDS

Can make them out of paper if you want

Or buy a set of cards

Wilkinson, Tesco and WH Smith all sell these cards

Sometimes called record cards

MAKING THE CARDS

The idea is that you put the things you must know on the card

1 concept or topic per cardCan design them how you wantCan include colours if you want and

picturesThese are kept and can be used to

revise in a short space of time.

MAKING A MIND MAP

Turn paper Landscape

Put title in the middle

Split into sections

Use different colours for each section

Keep splitting up the sections

Use pictures when needed

Keep viewing the mind map

WHAT WILL WE BE DOING AT SCHOOL?

Tracking of Data• Grade Gathers of current grades

• Target grades

• Teacher Predictions

• Effort grades

ENGLISH LANGUAGE GCSE – CURRENT POSITION

Modular examinations were removed at the end of the academic year 2012-13. Students now only have one chance to gain their qualification during KS4.

Speaking and listening has been removed and is no longer part of the overall qualification grade. This 20% has now been added to the examination.

The weightings of the qualification is now 40% controlled assessment and 60% terminal exam.

English is essential in order to progress to most other courses.

IMPORTANT DATES

October English controlled assessment

27 November 2014: Parents Evening

January Citizenship controlled assessment

March grade gather and tutor report

June DT, MFL & science controlled assessment

22 June year 10 exams and full reports

CONTACT

• Mr P Bowles HOY 10 or tutor

p.bowles@overtongrange.sutton.sch.uk