Welcome to our Key Stage 4 Information Evening

New GCSEs - How have they changed? In 2015: New (9-1) GCSEs in Mathematics, English Literature and English Language Now: 2016: New (9-1) GCSEs in all subjects at Cotham apart from Textiles, Psychology, Child Development, Graphic Products and Resistant Materials (A*-G)

With the new GCSE broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 4 and above as currently achieve a grade C and above broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 and above as currently achieve a grade A and above broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 1 and above as currently achieve a grade G and above

What do we know about the new GCSEs? New, more demanding content, which has been developed by the government and the exam boards. Courses will be designed for two years of study students will take all their exams in one period at the end of their course. Exams can only be split into foundation tier and higher tier if one exam paper does not give all students the opportunity to show their knowledge and abilities.

Tiers are different... More challenging content in both Foundation tier (can now access old B grade) and Higher tier. Important that you trust our professional judgement on the most suitable tier Far greater % of students will be entered for Foundation

Independent study Home learning this year will be important consolidation and help with this should be sought from your child s teachers. Next year home learning will consist of regular revision papers.

Make the most of online resources

Mathematics Both Foundation and Higher tier now get more difficult more quickly. Students are likely to find the start of year 10 challenging. Due to higher grades being available (up to B grade standard) on the foundation tier, we anticipate that a much higher proportion of students will be entered for Foundation level. This should not be viewed as a negative. The syllabus is larger than in the past and students are expected to remember more formulae. Year 10 Maths assessments will be in November, March and June.

Mathematics Resources for independent learning: Online revision and selfassessment tool Textbooks - in class & from library Kerboodle online textbook (with hyperlinks to online resources) Mathematics HW Club - every Monday and Wednesday in A209 after school until 4:15 Run by A-level Mathematicians Revision guides Video tutorials Comprehensive online lessons and self-assessments

English Language A linear course, no coursework. All final examinations will take place at the end of year 11. No foundation or higher tier. Skills based - not a huge amount of revision can be done in terms of memorising long lists of quotations etc. Students can revise by ensuring they can use language terminology fluently. Students should also be reading regularly in their own time to improve their inference and summary skills as well as improving their vocabulary.

English Literature A linear course, no coursework. All final examinations will take place at the end of year 11. No foundation or higher tier. Students will cover three of the four set texts in Year 10: a Victorian novel, the poetry anthology and a modern text. Students need to know these texts well - regular re-reading of texts is essential. Students need to use their independent learning time to write summaries of chapters and character summaries whether the teacher has set this as formal homework or not. CLOSED BOOK EXAMS

Science

Humanities Geography - higher literacy levels, more detailed terminology (see books and Weebly) Controlled Assessment now gone. More emphasis on fieldwork (Human and Physical). This is tested in the Paper 3 exam. 3 exams in total History - Exams longer with new skills assessed. No controlled assessment. 2 exams only. Migration over time and Restoration England are the new topics. REP - A core component being offered that follows a newly devised syllabus. The option REP offers in depth Philosophical & Ethical questions on belief and values. 2 exams covering 50% of the course. PSHE - Level 2 Preparation for Working Life qualification (GCSE). Jobs, budgeting, pay, discrimination, health and safety. 2 exams

MFL (French or German) All four skills - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing - will be tested in Summer 2018 (25% each) Key topics; Identity & Culture, Local, national, international and global areas of interest, Current and future study and employment. Focus on language structures and language acquisition.

How can you support your child?

Parental support is eight times more important in determining a child s academic success than social class (TES 2003) The Campaign for Learning found that parental involvement in their child s education can mean the difference between an A* and mediocrity at GCSE

So where do I come in? 1.Support at home, quiet work space, equipment they need 2.Talk to them about their school work, get them to explain what they ve done in school 3.Be interested and engaged 4.Help them with organising themselves, check their planners weekly, ask to see their homework 5.Allow them to Post-it your house with key / trigger words 6.They need good sleep and nutrition 7.They need balance

Key events and activities... Thurs 1st December: Parents Evening Mon 12th - Fri 23rd June: End of Year 10 Mock Exams Mon 3rd - Fri 7th July: Year 10 Work Experience

Work Experience (WEX) Students take part in work experience during the first week in July Students will spend 5 days in a work experience placement

Finding a placement... Students organise placements themselves We provide access to an online system with details of a vast number of potential placements Students are encouraged to be proactive and approach other businesses / organisations they are interested in Contacts via family or friends

What happens next... Student finds a placement Complete and hand in a Work Experience Placement Form H&S Checks requested by school Work Experience Agreement Form and Health Declaration Forms sent home Forms signed and returned to school

Who to talk to Your child s tutor is the first port of call For subject queries, talk to your child s teacher For wider learning queries, talk to Mrs Wilkie A booklet detailing the content of each GCSE and BTEC course and the assessment points in the year will be emailed to all parents next week. A link will also be on the school website.

Find out how can you support your son/daughter... Subject teachers and leaders from: Mathematics: Mr King and Mr Udall Science: Mr Ellis and Ms Hovell English: Mr Bonehill and Ms Clement Humanities: Mr Lloyd (History), Mr Vaughan (Geography), Ms Almey (REP) Mr Saunders (PSHE) MFL: Mr Morton and Mrs Elwell Inclusion: Mr Warnock Work Experience: Ms Arnold

Thank you for coming