Year 9/10 Parents’ Information Evening 29/6/11

1. Year 9/10Parents’ InformationEvening29/6/11

2. Outline of the Evening • Welcome introduction • KS4 Expectations • KS4 Handbook • Reporting System • Setting Target Grades • Calculating Forecast Grades • Attitude to Learning Levels • Intervention Strategies • Coaching and Mentoring • Controlled Assessment • How you can help

3. KS4 Expectations • Taking responsibility • Seeking advice • Being prepared for lessons • Completing home learning exercises • Setting targets for improvement • Appropriate behaviour and attitude • Attending help sessions • Taking controlled assessment seriously

4. KS4 Handbook • This is your guide to KS4 • It will outline every course being offered at KS4 • It will include information on reporting procedures, exam specification, syllabus, content, assessment, and suggested enrichment activities • It is available on the School website and can be accessed via a link attached to this week’s Parents’ Newsletter

5. Setting Target Grades • These will be set by subject teachers in September • How are they calculated? Using previous data, work completed in the Summer term and the professional judgement of teachers • They will include both aspirational and minimum target grades • These are intended to encourage students to work hard • They should not change once they have been set • Class teachers will discuss these with individual students in lessons

6. Reporting System • Students will have 3 Progress Reports and a Parents’ Evening per year at KS4 • The Progress Reports will include Target Grades, Forecast Grades, Attitude to Learning Levels and Targets for Improvement for every subject • This should mean that the information is more accessible to all

7. Calculating Forecast Grades • This grade is calculated looking at how students are performing in the subject and will take into account the following: attitude to learning, class work, home learning, etc • This grade is the likely GCSE grade which students will attain if they continue to work at their current level • These grades may fluctuate throughout the course

8. Attitude to Learning Levels • There are nine different levels • Many students will be at level 5 and above • It is intended that students achieve 6 as this suggests that not only are they working hard, but they are actively trying to improve their performance by seeking the advice of their teachers • Those students falling below the expected parameters will be monitored closely • This is not just about behaviour, but also about attitude, motivation and commitment

9. Intervention Strategies • Departmental Intervention • Report Card • Traffic Light Report • Coaching • Mentoring • Leadership Mentor • Interview with parents • Study days

10. Coaching and Mentoring • Students are closely monitored by the KS4 Team • We compare their Forecast Grades with their Target Grades to monitor under-achievement • Those clearly under-achieving will be assigned a Coach • Those who are ‘vulnerable’ may have a Mentor • These are generally fortnightly meetings where issues are discussed and targets set • The Coach/Mentor can help students to plan their time effectively, mediate where there are problems and help them prepare for exams

11. Modular Exams and Controlled Assessment What’s the difference between terminal exams with coursework and the new modular exams with controlled assessment? 11/12/2014

12. Coursework takes up 20% of the overall marks for a GCSE qualification LAST YEAR GCSE Subject

13. Controlled assessment takes up % of the overall marks for a GCSE qualification which is examined in modules over a 2 year period NOW

14. 7 subjects following modular assessment

15. Subjects with Controlled Assessment

16. What is new about the module (sometimes known as unitary) exams? • They are continuous over the two year course - usually coming shortly after the unit has been studied – November, January, March May/June • The exams take between 40 – 60 minutes. The students sit the exam in the hall. Results come in 2 months later. • The students bank their marks as they progress. • They can re-sit the modules (at their cost) if it is appropriate

17. What is new about controlled assessment? • Written task, performance or activity. Takes place in controlled circumstances usually in lessons. • Distinction made between low, medium and high levels of control. Eg Art has low levels of control, occurs over many lessons and is quite open. History has high levels of control, takes place over 3 – 4 lessons and is almost like an exam. • There is a high level of preparation by the teachers and students for controlled assessment and they are likely to knowthe question or task in advance. • The work is marked by the teachers and sent off for moderation by external examiners

18. The Impact of Coursework LAST YEAR

19. The Impact of Controlled Assessment NOW?

20. The impact of modular exams and controlled assessment Students can still achieve higher grades in their controlled assessment compared to written exams. Students will have to prepare for controlled assessment task rather than complete a topic in their own time. They have the opportunity of knowing the task in advance – so they can still do well. Will they realise the task is an exam – the real deal? Students will be able to sit an exam in a course they have just done so they should remember it. Will they realise its the real exam? Pressure over two years in all subjects – almost continuous testing. Avoid really big build up of pressure

21. How can you help? Be aware of the various deadlines for controlled assessment in the different subjects. This is outlined in your booklet. Check to see if there are clear guidelines to help your child complete the controlled assessment. Impress upon your son or daughter that this is the real deal Keep a close eye on the exam schedule and impress upon your son or daughter that this is the real deal and they should be revising Discourage the attitude of – I can sit it again. Don’t book a holiday in term time. Absence could be fatal

22. RESITS – don’t do it unless you really have to! • Scores are cumulative – in other words you don’t have to get the same grades for every module or controlled assessment to get your final grade (see slide above) • The module is not re - taught – so your son or daughter will have to prepare for the exam on their own • While they concentrate on their resit they are being distracted from their current module

23. How can you help? • Providing a quiet working area at home • Taking an interest in their studies • Encouraging them to use the VLE at home • Encouraging them to try some of the suggested enrichment activities • Looking at their books • Reporting concerns immediately to the Subject Team Leader or to the KS4 Team Leader • Keeping the Pastoral Manager informed of any social issues which may affect their progress

24. Important Note! There will be no changes of subject after the end of this term Students cannot ‘drop’ subjects