How to help your son get the best possible GCSE results

1. How to help your son get the best possible GCSE results

2. Set the scene

3. Create the time

4. Reward

5. Show an active interest

6. Work, rest and play

7. Structured revision

8. Keep positive

9. Talk, talk, talk

10. RE – vision

11. Guides

12. Welcome to GCSE English Language and English Literature

13. Examination board: AQA 2 Qualifications: English Language(8700) English Literature (8702)

14. English Language (8700) Two examination papers worth 100% of Grade (No Coursework) Assessed numerically with grades 1-9 (9 is the highest grade with grade 4 being a pass grade) No examination tiers

15. Language Paper • There are two language papers to sit. • Paper 1 focusses on fictional writing and has four questions based on a single text. It also has a writing task which is descriptive or narrative. • The extract will be from the 20th/21st century.

16. Language Paper • Paper 2 focuses on non-fiction and differs in that there are two extracts on this paper. One will be from the 19th century and the other will be either 20th/21st century. Your son will be expected to compare both extracts. • The writing task on this paper will require your son to write in a specific style of writing, to a particular audience and in a specific format.

17. Importance of SPAG • 20% of the qualification is now based on the quality of good accurate writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar. • The need to recheck all written work has never been more important.

18. Start of Term • Your son has been given the assessment objectives for the English Language papers. We have begun the year working on English Language paper 1. • Your son has been given a breakdown of what is on each examination paper for Language and Literature and a teaching plan for the whole of year 10, showing what units will be studied in each term this year.

19. How can you help? • Encourage reading of both fiction and non-fiction as preparation for both papers. • Read the novels alongside your child. • Encourage them to read newspaper articles from ‘good quality’ newspapers. • Buy them a dictionary and thesaurus. • Be patient-big step up in standard.

20. English Literature (8702) Two examination papers worth 100% of Grade (No Coursework) Assessed numerically with grades 1-9 (9 is the highest gradewith grade 4 being a pass grade) No examination tiers

21. Paper One: Shakespeare and the 19th –century novel • 40% of GCSE • One Shakespeare play:Macbeth • The 19th-century novel:Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

22. Paper Two: Modern texts and poetry • 60% of GCSE • Section A Modern Texts: An Inspector Calls • Section B Poetry: Power and Conflict • Section C Unseen poetry

23. Changes to literature • Closed book – students will need to know all of their texts and learn quotes. • Unseen poetry is now comparable to another unseen poem.

24. Advice to Parents • Ensure that your son annotates his copy of his texts in detail. The texts are taught in detail once. • Please read the texts with your son. Investigate his understanding of the text, even if you are unfamiliar with it. • Ensure that your son has folders to keep his notes in and cue cards to write down the key quotes.

25. Advice to Parents • It is a two year linear course; what he does in Year 10 will impact on his performance at the end of Year 11. • If an opportunity arises to go to the theatre to watch a studied text, please take it. • Use the library, the internet, Doddle and television documentaries as learning resources. • Avail of our ‘open door’ policy.

26. Concerns • If you have any concerns, please email the school portal and the department will reply with any advice or support that we can offer.

27. GCSE MATHEMATICS YEAR 1O -11 MISS CARPENTER

28. Raising standards • Linear course with exams at the end of Year 11 • Problem-solving at the heart of teaching and learning and of the assessment • 3 years have now sat the new GCSE

29. New specifications • There are 2 tiers of entry, Higher and Foundation • Higher tier includes questions that will stretch the most able • Foundation tier will focus on core mathematical understanding and skills for all students to master • A greater focus on problem-solving

30. New specifications • Five content areas: F H • Number 25% 15% • Algebra 20% 30% • Ratio, proportion, rates of change 25% 20% • Geometry 15% 20% • Probability & Statistics 15% 15%

31. New specifications • New to Foundation tier: • use of pi and surds • reverse percentages • factorising quadratics • basic trigonometry • circle properties • vectors • venn and tree diagrams • New to Higher tier: • gradient at a point on a curve as rate of change • areas under graphs • Venn diagrams (conditional probability) • standard form • compound interest • simultaneous equations • direct and inverse proportion • fractional scale enlargements • conditional probabilities • frequency trees • functions • arithmetic and geometric progressions • frequency trees • iteration

32. New specifications • Three papers, 80 marks each • Paper 1 only non-calculator • Fewer formulae available in examinations • quite a lot fewer than the old GCSE!

33. Formulae to remember Foundation tier: • Area of a trapezium • Volume of a prism Higher tier: • Area of a trapezium • Volume of a prism • The quadratic formula • Sine and cosine rules • Area of a triangle = ½ab sin C

34. FOUNDATION 1 – 5 • HIGHER 4 – 9 • LEVELS THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED 4 – 5 are the cross over levels

35. GCSE SYLLABUS • The topics covered each term can be found on the Campion Website • On a daily basis the work is broken down into topics and these can be found in each pupil’s exercise book

36. TOPIC 1 – ALGEBRA 1 YR 10 - H

38. Software Programs • Every pupil has access to My Maths. • Active Learn (Run by Pearson/Edexcel) • Pixl Maths App • Doddle • Maths Genie

39. HOMEWORK • Homework should be completed on the night it is set. Main homework is a weekly revision sheet which will be put on DODDLE • Please check regularly that your son has completed his homework • If there are gaps, it means he has problems with that piece of work and he has to get help from his teacher

40. AVAILABLE HELP The Maths Office is open for all who have problems with homework Maths teachers are available to answer questions every lunch time or before school No pupil should be handing in incomplete work

41. EQUIPMENTFor every lesson your son should have • Exercise books • Calculator • Pens, Rulers, compass and protractor • TEXT BOOKS

42. Summary • GCSE brings many challenges. • Be prepared to work hard in class and at home over the next 2 years. • Please check your son’s work regularly. • Please ensure your son has all the necessary equipment for lessons. • Encourage your son to get help before assignments are due in.

43. AQA GCSE SCIENCE Separate Sciences: equivalent to 3 GCSEs (sets 10A & 10E) Combined Science: Double award equivalent to two GCSEs (sets 10B, C, F & G)

44. Key Features of the New Specifications: No controlled assessment or coursework (ISAs). Students now carry out required practicals throughout the course and will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding of them in the final exams. 15% of GCSE marks will be for practical skills. Only a few formulae will be provided, most will have to be learned.

45. AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Specification is online at aqa.org.uk/gcse-trilogy Equal emphasis is given to biology, chemistry and physics and it will be taught as separate subjects.

46. How is it assessed? • Six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. • All the papers are 1 hour 15 minutes. • Tiers: Foundation and Higher. • Question types: multiple choice, structured, closed, short answer and open response.

47. Tier of Entry The Higher Tier paper covers grades 4-4 to 9-9 The Foundation Tier paper covers grades 1-1 to 5-5. The questions at Foundation level are more structured and include a higher proportion of multiple-choice and short answer questions. The decision on which tier paper the student will sit will be confirmed in Year 11 and will be made by agreement across all the subject teachers. Pupils who follow this course will still be able to access science at A’ level if they achieve high grades (7-6 or higher)

48. GCSE Biology AQA GCSE Separate Sciences Specification is online at aqa.org.uk/gcse-biology GCSE Chemistry Specification is online at aqa.org.uk/gcse-chemistry GCSE Physics Specification is online at aqa.org.uk/gcse-physics This provides an ideal preparation for pupils who may wish to go on and study science at A’ level

49. How are they assessed? • Six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. • Duration: all papers are 1 hour 45 minutes. • Students are entered for Higher Tier. The Higher Tier paper covers grades 4 to 9 • Question types: multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

50. Expectations of students Fully equipped pencil case, must include a calculator. Regularly read the relevant sections of the course text book on Kerboodle following lessons to consolidate learning. Meet deadlines and seek assistance if necessary prior to deadlines. Complete set tasks to best of ability. Make use of the available revision resources to prepare thoroughly for assessments.