Welcome to our YEAR 9 CURRICULUM EVENING Thursday, 6 h September 2018

1. Welcome to our YEAR 9CURRICULUM EVENING Thursday, 6h September 2018 Working together to ensure success for your child ‘A Christ-centred learning community, committed to the development of the whole person’ Seamless education from 4-19 years for all faiths and beliefs

3. Dear Lord, Bless me with a happy and successful year, remove my worries, insecurities and fears. Amen

4. HEADLINE FIGURES 2018 • A LEVEL: • High ranking A Level results across Worcestershire – 99% of students achieved 3 or more A Level passes • 17% of students achieved 4 or more A Levels • A*-B grades were achieved with the following percentages: Music 100%, • Performing Arts 75%, Physics 73%, Chemistry 73%, Mathematics 69%, Geography 69% and Chemistry 67% • From a cohort of 108 students 94 A*/A grades or equivalent were achieved • 20 students gained a massive 47 A*/A grades between them

5. HEADLINE FIGURES 2018 • GCSE: • 81.1% of students achieved 5+ standard passes at GCSE with English and Mathematics (81.45% in 2017, 80% in 2016) • 90.1% of students gained a standard pass in English (Grade 4); 77% of students gained a strong pass in English (Grade 5) • 86.5% of students gained a standard pass in Mathematics; 66.2% of students gained a strong pass in Mathematics • Students achieved 100% 9-5 grades in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Polish and Spanish • To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), • Transport, Numeracy, New Technologies, the Catholic Life of the School, our • Catering Providers and the PTFA.

6. HEADLINE FIGURES 2018 continued • GCSE: • Students achieved the following 9 - 4 grades: • 100% in Drama, 84% in English Language, 89% in English Literature, 89% in French, 85% in Geography, 82% in History, 92% in PE, 86% in RE and 84% in Science Combined • Students achieved the following A*-C grades: • 91% in ICT and 89% in Media Studies and 97% in Product Design • Students achieved the following BTEC/CNAT grades equivalent to A*-C/9-4: • 100% in Children’s Play, Engineering, Sport and Travel and Tourism, 85% in Art, 83% in Business Enterprise, 80% in Food, 98% in HSC and 100% in MOS • To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), • Transport, Numeracy, New Technologies, the Catholic Life of the School, our • Catering Providers and the PTFA.

7. HEADLINE FIGURES 2018 continued • GCSE: • 30% of all results delivered grades 9-7, A*-A or equivalent – that is an amazing 640 results at the highest grades with 328 of those grades at 9-8, A* or equivalent. • 8 students gained all of their 11 GCSEs at grades 9-7, A*-A or equivalent, 1 of whom gained all 9-8, A* grades or equivalent • 17 students gained 10 or more GCSEs all at grades 9-7, A*-A or equivalent • To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), • Transport, Numeracy, New Technologies, the Catholic Life of the School, our • Catering Providers and the PTFA.

8. INTRODUCTION • From the  Assistant Principal,  Ms S Fletcher • THE BIG PICTURE • To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), • Transport, Numeracy, New Technologies, the Catholic Life of the School, our • Catering Providers and the PTFA.

9. AIMS OF THE EVENING • Future job market? • Options after KS4 • Targets setting • Key dates • Reports • Exams • Controlled assessment • Independent learning • Attendance • Support mechanisms • To find out about uniform, our Summer School, Literacy (ERIC), • Transport, Numeracy, New Technologies, the Catholic Life of the School, our • Catering Providers and the PTFA.

10. The future for your child Sixth Form Apprenticeships/Careers/College courses Entry requirements Entry requirements onto courses Entry requirements onto specific University courses – how much more in a lifetime Aspirations – Post 16 Adviser

11. How can I help my child – key dates and exams Assessment Maths and English – Wednesday 12thSeptember 2018 Assessment week – 15th October 2018 Short reports – 8th November 2018 Parents’ Day – 6th December 2018 Assessment week – 10th December 2018 Short reports – 28th January 2019 Assessment week – 3rd June 2019 Last Reports – 18th June 2019 Parents evening – 27th June 2019

12. REPORTS – WHEN ARE THEY & WHAT DO THEY MEAN • Target Grade - How are targets set? • Forecast Grade • Working at Grade • Attitude to Learning • Behaviour

13. English, Maths and Science The importance of English, Maths and Science GCSEs Changes to assessment in each

14. Mathematics Exams FROM June 2018 • Key Challenges • Time spent teaching maths in the UK compared to other countries • New 9-1 GCSE : 40% more content than at present • More demanding content, more exam time , higher expectations • (4½ hours compared with 3½ and more formulae to memorise) • The new “benchmark” grade (5) is the equivalent of an old C+/B- • Less scaffolding/ structure in questions – more problem-solving • Less predictability of exam paper content and structure • Students not having had the full benefit of new KS2/3 curriculum • More difficult “tiering” decisions

15. Mathematics Exams FROM June 2018 Edexcel 1MA1 What did we learn from the first two rounds of examinations in the Summer of 2018 and 2019? Extremely difficult to “predict” exam content The importance of PREPARATION The importance of PROCESS The importance of EXPLANATION The importance of COMPARISON The importance of MATHEMATICAL REASONING

16. MATHEMATICS at ST AUGUSTINE’S - OUR PHILOSOPHY • 7 term GCSE starting in Year 9 • Possible curriculum/ qualification enhancements in Y9 and Y10 Key Elements of Our Mission Encourage independence Eliminate Fear Equip for all eventualities Enthusiasm Partnership Humour

17. Term 1 Final new teaching: accept and ask for support! Term 2 Prepare for mock exams, finalise post-18 plans. A Levels Term 3 Intense revision and support sessions Final A Levels Wave PLCs GO!! PiXL GCSE Apps GET SET Post-16 transition – taster day + summer work KS3-4 Transition: Complete Year 8 assessment Post-16 study choices ON YOUR MARKS Term 1 Are you in a Maths Form? Understand Expectations for Year 11 St Augustine’s Catholic High School MATHEMATICS LEARNING JOURNEY Term 3 Building Resilience – AM I within a grade of my target? LI6 Term 2 Grow in confidence, start applying your maths skills LI2 Term 3 Begin to develop maturity in thinking skills and problem solving LI3 Term 3 Intense revision, Easter Revision, meaningful investment of time Term 2 Give Back: to Maths lessons, working with middle schools Term 3 Prepare for end of year exams: apply for UCAS Term 1 Learning and Growing new and review: cycle LI4 Term 1 Master the basics. Work ethic. Asking for help. Term 1 Finding my voice: complete transition assessment and setting. LI1 Term 2 Mock exams: are you where you need to be? How to revise? Intervention. Countdown begins! Term 1 Complete LI assessments, mini mocks, after school intervention Pixl WAVE. Term 2 Maturing in Problem Solving? LI5

18. Mathematics Exams FROM June 2018 How you can help: Access to on-line texts and learning tools especially –Mathswatch VLE, and mathsgenie.co.uk Support and encouragement - avoid negative thinking “Can-do” mentality Accountability culture – we all play our part – school does not finish at 3.50pm Little and Often

19. ENGLISH EXAMINATIONS The English department offer two GCSE qualifications across KS4 GCSE English Language GCSE English Literature They are assessed separately and count equally for students. All exams are single tier A small number of Year 11 students will be completing the AQA Step Up to English entry level qualification: a supporting step to their qualification.

20. Term 1 Final new teaching: accept and ask for support! Complete all NEA Term 2 Prepare for mock exams, finalise post-18 plans. Remember Year 11? A Levels Term 3 Intense revision and support sessions Final A Levels Wave PLCs PiXL GCSE Apps GCSEs Post-16 transition begins Post-16 Extra curricular: University lecture days, theatre visits, Catholic life focused trips, public speaking competitions, Literary events KS3-4 Transition: Complete Year 8 assessment Post-16 study choices St Augustine’s Catholic High School ENGLISH LEARNING JOURNEY Term 3 Consolidate and apply in Language exams to show your progress. Showcase oracy in Up for the Debate Term 2 Grow in confidence, embrace difficult texts. Increase reading age through DEAR. Term 3 Building Independence: early entry GCSE Literature for some. End of Year Lit exams: be prepared! Term 2 Completing Entry Level Step Up qualification for some. High Level reading skills in action Term 1 Language study Intervention begins: organization and resilience needed Term 2 Mock exams: recall, organisation and resilience. Preparation is everything. Term 3 Intense revision, Final GCSEs (two each) in Language and Literature Term 1 Resilience needed for 19th Century and Shakespeare study. Assessment in December. Term 2 Give Back: to English lessons, partake in extra curricular event Term 3 Prepare for end of year exams: apply for UCAS or your Higher Level apprenticeship Term 1 Finding my voice: complete transition writing assessments Term 1 Begin Literature or Lang/Lit study. Are you on the right course?

21. The main challenges we meet: The course is linear with four exam papers at its conclusion. GCSE English Language contains pre-20th Century material and challenging reading content: students need to be able to read and understand quickly GCSE English Literature: students need to learn quotations and facts from 2 plays (including Shakespeare), 15 poems and a 19th Century novel. A GCSE English Literature paper has on average 4417 words. Increasing reading speed to 120 wpm will give students 12 more minutes writing time. Average reading speed at KS2 is 90 wpm.

22. Our reading strategy at St. Augustine’s: All students are tested for reading, spelling and phonics upon arrival. Graduate Coach and whole class intervention put in place where necessary. First 15 minutes of every Year 9 lesson to be reading time DEAR (Drop Everything And Read). This is an extra 1 and a half hours reading a fortnight! It is essential that students have texts to read during this time All students have one lesson per fortnight to distinctly address reading skills: Lexia / Core 5 comprehension and understanding; reading resilience of 19th Century text extracts; emotional literacy; mechanics of word meanings and roots Differentiated class reader

23. Year 9 Science • All students will begin studying AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy • Students will be awarded 2 Grades based on a 17 point scale which will range from 1-1 to 9-9 where 9-9 is the highest possible grade • Some students may go on to study separate sciences in year 11

24. Year 9 Science • AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy • Students will be assessed throughout the year during assessment weeks and also with end of topic tests throughout the year. • Required practical's

25. Term 1 Final new teaching and completion of all content! Term 2 Prepare for mock exams, finalise post-18 plans A Levels Term 3 Intense revision and support sessions Final A Levels Use of Seneca Learning Use of PLCs Educake use to secure key knowledge GCSEs Post-16 transition begins Post-16 Extra curricular: STEM club, Take on a teacher, Science lectures KS3-4 Transition Post-16 study choices St Augustine’s Catholic High School SCIENCE LEARNING JOURNEY Term 1 Completion of GCSE content. Begin revision of key content Term 2 Mock exams: recall, apply and evaluate! Term 2 Continue with paper 2 topics – develop practical and mathematical skills Term 3 Intense revision, Final GCSEs (six exams). Recap of key practicals Term 1 Finish paper 1 content and begin Paper 2 topics Term 2 Support in STEM clubs or take on a teacher. Develop skills and learn key knowledge Term 3 Prepare for end of year exams: apply for UCAS Term 3 Consolidate knowledge in end of year exams to show your progress Term 2 Develop practical skills and reflect on areas of strength and weakness Term 1 Settling into my new group. Starting GCSE Combined Science Term 1 Which science course is for you? Start your chosen courses! Standards and settling in Term 3 End of year exams. Suitable GCSE courses selected – combined vs separates

26. Biology Cell biology Organisation Infection and response Chemistry Atomic structure and the periodic table Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter Quantitative chemistry Physics Energy Electricity Particle model of matter

27. How you can help: Support in completion of homework and the use of Educake (online homework resource) Ensure they have the correct equipment at all times – including Scientific calculator, protractor Test them regularly on subject content – eg physics equations/key facts and terms Access to resources on our school area – PiXL resources, Encourage them to take an interest in science in the world around them –watch scientific programmes, documentaries, news etc

28. Knowing about support mechanisms – the pastoral system Form tutor - sees them on a daily basis Head of Year – Mr Mill - concerns re homework, attendance, attitude etc. Assistant Head Pastoral (Safeguarding Lead) – Mr Gariff Post 16 Adviser Mrs Watkins – SEN  Mrs Bird – Deputy Safeguard Mrs Such -  Attendance Encourage them to speak to us – we can help!

29. The Importance OF ATTENDANCE – THE GREATER THE ATTENDANCE, THE GREATER THE ACHIEVEMENT. •IRREGULAR ATTENDANCE – Half a day a week missed can mean the loss of at least one GCSE grade for every subject taken. That could prevent you from being able to carry on to 6th For • PUNCTUALITY – Being late for school is not acceptable – just as being late for work is not acceptable – one of our jobs here at Saint Augustine’s is geeting students ready for life after school • EXPECTATION – 96% attendance. Falling below this level may result in missing out on reward trips as well as detrimental affect on education

30. MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF YEAR: - We have high expectations at Saint Augustine’s – maybe higher than what parents and students are used to- We have become an extremely successful school due to all parties – school, home and student working together- Must avoid any unnecessary conflict that takes away from our primary concerns of education and developing the whole person in a Christ centred learning environment- We are delighted that you have chosen to send your son/daughter to a Catholic School- I am your point of contact for any concerns that you may have about any aspect of school life (mille@saintsa.co.uk )

31. Good habits Sleep enough Eat breakfast! Eat lunch! Eat dinner! Eat healthy snacks! Exercise! You brain needs and uses energy and burns calories so feed it!

32. Mental Health and Exams • Access to Pastoral Support • Workshops - Exam anxiety • Form Tutor – Character development and PiXL Edge • Useful links: • https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-survival-guide/ • https://www.mind.org.uk/ • https://www.minded.org.uk/

33. Key Contacts Mr Mill Head of  Year – mille@saintsa.co.uk Ms Fletcher Assistant Head of KS4 – fletchers@saintsa.co.uk Mr Gariff Assistant Head of Pastoral – gariffd@saintsa.co.uk Mr O’Connor Head of School – oconnorg@saintsa.co.uk MORE THAN A SCHOOL……….