Supporting Success Evening Year 10

Learning Managers

Kat Russell 10K

&

Angela Howe 10H

How you can help us

A sound start with a positive attitude leads to great achievement

1. Contact us (tutor first point of contact)

2. Check and read information in the planner

3. Keep up to date with information on the website – in particular the parent area

www.countesthorpe.leics.sch.uk

4. Make sure we have your contact details, including your mobile number

Absence and Holidays

• We are aiming for 100% attendance for every student – please try to make appointments out of school time and certainly ensure that your son/daughter makes up any work missed.

• If your son/daughter is absent please let Victoria our attendance officer know. 01162771555 then press 1.

• Holidays – Take them in holiday weeks, it is against the law to remove students during term time.

The coming year – an overview

• Most subjects have controlled assessments throughout the year – you will hear details from Heads of Department and receive dates and deadlines in booklets

• So just to explain…

Controlled Assessment

• Controlled Assessment has replaced coursework – this will occur regularly throughout the year

• Students are expected to complete controlled assessments in class time, in exam conditions – although preparation time will have been allowed and some of this will be set as homework – it’s ideal if you can help monitor what your son/daughter is completing at home

Monitoring

• We will send you interim statements of progress with target grades, predicted grades and a motivational score for each subject.

- Mid October 2013 - Mid November 2013 - Mid February 2014 • Parents’ Evenings are 16th January (late 6 – 8 pm) or 23rd

January (early 4 – 6 pm), students to make appointments on your behalf

• Annual/Summative report –June 2014 • End of Year Exam Results – July 2014 • Online reporting – My ChildAtSchool.com – information to

follow later in presentation.

The motivational scale

What we will do…

• At each assessment point as Learning Managers we will review how well students are performing – in relation to target and predicted grade and looking at motivational scores.

• Some students will receive certificates for their consistently high levels of motivations.

• Underperformance will trigger interventions e.g. subject report, contact with home, tutor report or meetings.

To get further information

• Booklets - for students during tutorial Friday and on line for parents

• The Learning Link - Fronter

• Tutor

• Key Stage 4 office

• Attendance officer (Victoria Wright)

• Exams officer (Eleanor Gregory )

English in Year 10

Some things you should know…

• Most students take both English Language and English Literature

• Assessment is by Controlled Assessment and external examination

• Intervention is used to address underachievement

• Parental support is vital

Course Outline

English Language

• End of Year 11 exams – 40%

• Written controlled assessments – 40%

• Speaking and Listening assessments – 20%

English Literature

• End of Year 11 exams – 75%

• Written controlled assessment – 25%

Overview of English Controlled Assessments

5 Written Controlled Assessments and 3 Presentations

• 7th Oct 2013 – Of Mice and Men – 2 hours 15% - Language

• 11th Nov 2013 – Spoken Language Study – 2 hours 10% - Language

• Dec 2013 – Speaking and Listening role play – Language*

• 24th Feb 2014 – Shakespeare & Poetry – 3 hours - Literature

• 17th Mar 2014 – Descriptive Writing – 1 hour 7.5% - Language

• 12th May 2014 – Narrative Writing – 1 hour 7.5% - Language

• June 2014 – Speaking and Listening – Presentation – Language*

• Dec 2014 – Speaking and Listening – Discussion – Language*

• *Speaking and Listening currently worth 20% of Language GCSE

How to help your son/daughter with their English …

• Check they’ve done their homework, and it’s

more than just a couple of lines!

• Encourage them to come to every lesson

• Encourage them to attend catch up and

intervention sessions when offered

• Remind them to use the College’s virtual

learning platform when researching and revising

• Talk through their progress and ask them what

they are working on in English

• Please, please encourage them to read at home

GCSE Maths at Countesthorpe

Studying Maths

• All students study Maths to GCSE level.

• There are three 60 minute Maths lessons each week.

• Homework is set each week.

• Students follow the WJEC Specification.

• There are two tiers of assessment: – Foundation giving GCSE grades G-C

– Higher giving GCSE grades D-A*

Maths Sets

• All students are placed in Maths sets at the start of year 10.

• Students are setted using KS 3 assessments and year 9 tests.

• There are 5 or 6 sets in each section of the timetable.

• Setting is reviewed regularly and set changes happen after Key Assessment points.

GCSE Tiers and Targets

• Broadly speaking we would expect : – Set 1: Higher tier GCSE entry targeting grades A/A*/B – Set 2: Higher tier GCSE entry targeting grades A/B/C – Set 3: Higher or Foundation tier GCSE entry targeting grade B/C – Set 4: Foundation tier GCSE entry targeting grades

C/D – Set 5: Foundation tier GCSE entry targeting grades

D/E/F – but not excluding C

GCSE Maths Assessments

• The option of modular assessment has been removed for GCSE Maths exams from 2014. This is national policy and applies to all GCSE Maths specifications.

• GCSE Maths is assessed by 2 exams. We are doing an early entry at the end of Year 10 in June 2014.

• The last chance to improve their grade will be at the end of Year 11 in June 2015.

• Some students in the top set will be taking an additional GCSE in Further Mathematics at the end of Year 11.

• There is no coursework or controlled assessment in GCSE Maths.

Assessment

• All students will have a target grade based on their attainment before they started at Countesthorpe, this may be raised if progress is rapid, never lowered!

• There will be regular tests to check that students are meeting their targets.

Homework

• Homework is a compulsory element of our courses.

• We have pre-prepared weekly homeworks following our scheme of work. Homeworks are accessed from Fronter and are also available as a booklet.

• Teachers will check that homework is completed, provide answers and mark some work in detail.

Equipment

Students are expected to bring their own equipment for each Maths lesson. This should include:

• Scientific calculator

• Pen

• Pencil

• Ruler

Independent Learning

Our most successful students take responsibility for their learning by: – Taking pride in the quality of their work in and out

of school

– Checking their understanding is sound and seeking the support they need from published resources, teachers, parents, friends etc

– Organising systematic revision

Resources to support learning and revision

• Test Analysis • Revision Guides and Work Books • Specimen and past papers • Web Sites:

– www.mymaths.co.uk (User: countesthorpe, Password: prime)

– BBC GCSE Bitesize

• Fronter

Mathematics Post 16

The College offers the following opportunities to study Maths in the Sixth Form:

• AS and A level Maths

• AS and A level Further Maths (giving a double Maths qualification)

• GCSE Maths resit for students needing to improve their performance after Year 11

The Sciences in Year 10

SCIENCE IS DIFFERENT!

• Most students get their first GCSE at the end of year 10 (not Triple Science students or Skills students).

• GCSE Exams start early in Science –

June 2014 (not Triple or Skills)

• Two teachers for Life and Physical Science

lessons

The Course in the Autumn Term

Life Science

• Biology

• Chemistry

Three exams in Summer 2014

Physical Science

• Physics

• Chemistry

Each Exam is worth 25% of year 10 grade

Triple Science and Skills

Same as other students’ curriculum except –

Triple Science

• Extra lessons in option block

• Exams for Triple Science all at end of course

• Three ISAs in year 11

Skills Group

• Core Science course but over 2 years with

exams at end.

Coursework (ISA)

• An assessed practical investigation will

take place in the Autumn term (after half

term)

• Worth 25%

• Assessed by two written exam papers

Support

• Tuesday and Thursday after school

P.A.S.S. Sessions (Pupil After School

Support)

• Revision Guide

• Learning Link (has links to other sites)

• Websites e.g. BBC Bitesize

• Past Paper practise

ACHIEVING SUCCESS DESIGN

TECHNOLOGY YEAR 10

Students in year 10 will be taking either Resistant Materials, Graphic

Products, Textiles or Food. This is a two year course but will draw on

experience and skills gathered at Key Stage 3. Alternatively, some

students will have opted for BTEC Level 2 Engineering.

HOW IS GCSE DT STRUCTURED?

The course is assessed as 2 units:

Unit 1: This covers all of the subject knowledge for that material

area

It is worth 40% of the mark

Part of the exam will entail students having done some research,

designing and revision around a theme/topic which they will be given

in March 2014.

HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT YOUR SON/ DAUGHTER?

They will have home learning which will be placed on the learning link (Fronter). Information about projects are clearly linked on Fronter, as well as past papers with mark schemes. It would be really helpful if you could support your son/ daughter by checking that this has been done and alert HoD (Emma Chadfield) if there is any difficulty in this being completed so that we can arrange additional sessions or targeted help if necessary. A revision guide or student revision workbook (except for Engineering) is compulsory

UNIT 2:

Controlled Assessment Unit and it is worth 60% of the overall grade. This starts after the

Easter holiday.

Students will need to respond to a design context by researching, designing, developing,

planning and making a product. The more skills that they can show, the more credit they will

be given.

Important is the on-going testing and research. For example sourcing images to use in

their graphics. They need to use their own initiative and be pro-active about doing this.

Quality not quantity: exam board limits of 20 sides of A3 or 20 slides for an e-portfolio.

The key to success is good organisation. Students have Controlled Assessment

monitoring points. Progress is checked and additional sessions are provided if required:

TEXTILES:

Initial research into the brief/ design context: 2nd May 2014

Initial design ideas: 13th June 2014

RESISTANT MATERIALS/ FOOD

Initial research into the brief/ design context: 2nd May 2014

Initial design ideas: 23rd May 2014

Development, modelling and testing: 20th June 2014

GRAPHICS

Initial research into the brief/ design context: 16th June 2014

HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT YOUR SON/ DAUGHTER?

Textiles: Students will need to purchase the fabric they

require to make their product. Fabric should be being

brought into College early in the autumn term. Each

student will have a one-to-one conversation with their teacher

about what is needed before they are asked to get their fabric.

Food: Students will need to provide the main ingredients for

their practical sessions. Anna Robertson (Food Teacher) will

provide your Son/ Daughter with plenty of notice of when this is

required.

Food practical sessions will always be on the same day and

are as follows:

10Y Monday

10W Friday (Anna’s group)

10W Tuesday week 1 and Monday week 2 (Sharon’s group)

10X Friday

At home, students can be writing/ typing up any

testing they have done. To do this, they will need to

access pictures which will have been uploaded onto

shared area.

Purchase a revision guide. It has helpful sections

that support Controlled Assessment work.

Download Google Sketch-up (which is free!!). This

will enable students in Engineering and Resistant

Materials to be able to practice at home.

ADDITIONAL STUDY SESSIONS

Additional sessions are arranged with students as required. These take place

mainly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students should speak directly to their

subject teacher.

POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT DT CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT

Research work using the library or the Internet can be undertaken

outside of College. However, this must be used for reference only

and should not be submitted in its entirety as part of the project.

Folders must remain in College and any major practical work has

to be carried out under supervision in class time or during an after

school session.

Under agreed circumstances only, any work that is taken home

must be agreed with the teacher, signed out officially and signed

back in again. This is essential in order to enable the teacher to verify

that it is the students own work.

USEFUL WEBSITES

There are many websites for DT, but the best ones are listed below and

can be used for research, acquiring knowledge and revision

http://www.design-technology.info/ Suitable for all DT subjects

http://www.designandtech.com/ Suitable for all DT subjects

http://www.technologystudent.com/ Suitable for all DT subjects

http://www.mr-d-n-t.co.uk/index-page.htm Suitable for Graphics

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/

design/

Suitable for all DT subjects

http://www.techitoutuk.com/ Suitable for all DT subjects

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/ Search for video clips in

‘Secondary Design and

Technology’

BTEC LEVEL 2 ENGINEERING

This is a two year course with a more vocational focus than GCSE.

BTEC comprises of 4 units which are delivered through 120 guided

learning hours (GLH).

There is an externally examined unit (unit 1) and the other 3 units are

assessed internally at the College.

The qualification is equivalent to 2 GCSE’s A*-C and it is graded as Pass,

Merit, Distinction or Distinction plus.

THE UNITS & STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE

Students will do 4 units over the duration of the course. There is some

cross over between units.

Evidence for each 3 of these units will take the form of reports, slide shows,

verbal and electronic presentations, photographs and teacher observations.

One unit will be assessed through an exam.

UNIT 3: Health & Safety in Engineering (30 GLH) This is internally assessed. • This will be incorporated into a practical project which utilises the lathe and electronics.

UNIT 6: CAD Engineering (30 GLH) This is internally assessed. • Be able to use CAD (Computer Aided Design) system to produce an engineering

drawing.

• Use CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) to manufacture a component and circuit board.

UNIT 1: The Engineered World (30 GLH) This is assessed by the exam board. • Students will investigate what is meant by the term “engineering”

• The processes that are used

• Environmental impact – waste reduction and sustainability.

UNIT 2: Investigating an Engineering Product (30 GLH) This is internally assessed. • Investigate the performance requirements of the product

• Why specific materials are used in components

• Why a particular manufacturing process has been selected

• Quality control

HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT YOUR SON/ DAUGHTER?

Encourage them to check FRONTER

Check homework's and course information.

There will be a program of home learning tasks on FRONTER which

will be set on a regular basis. Hand-ins are electronic and are submitted

through Fronter.

Feedback on assignments is also given electronically. Students can

access this at home, make amendments and re-submit their work to

achieve or exceed their target grade.

GCSE Humanities AQA 4070

Expectations and Course Content

Maggie Devine

Head of Humanities

Unit 1: Year 10

Culture and Beliefs

• Similarities and differences

• Influence of agents of socialisation

• Nature v Nurture

• Migration/immigration

• Multiculturalism

• A Case Study

Environmental Issues • Demands on the environment

• Renewable and non-renewable resources

• Impact of human activity

• Environmental pressure groups impact

• Tackling environmental problems

Preparation Year 11 GCSE Exam

• A source book to accompany the exam will be issued

• Updated Revision Booklets, available for a small cost

• Practice exam questions • Timed exam questions will also take place in

lessons

Unit 2 – Year 11

Prejudice and Persecution

• Causes

• Types

• Case Studies

• Evaluation of preventions

Global Inequality

• Identification

• Causes

• Impact on MEDCs and LEDCs

• Addressing the issues

• Government and non-government agencies

Year 11 Controlled Assessment

• Worth 25% of final mark

• 2000 words

• Investigation and planning 8-12 hours

• Final presentation, students work independently, formal supervision, 3-4 hours.

• Focus question will change every year.

Written Exam Papers

• 2 Exam Papers + sources booklets (2 x 1 Hr 15 mins)

• Unit 1 = 2 questions on the core topics

• Unit 2 = 2 questions; one each on the option subjects

• Unit 1 will be taken in May/June during Year 11

• Unit 2 will be taken in May/June during Year 11

Expectations

• Consistent effort and co-operation

• Perform to ability

• Completion on weekly homework, e.g. research tasks; practice questions; learning key words

Why study Humanities?

• Develops understanding - social, political, religious, moral

• Develops communication and life long skills

• Allows you to consider issues from different viewpoints

• Develops skills for other subjects eg History, Geography, Sociology

• Develops knowledge of current affairs

• Interesting and thought-provoking subject!

MyChildAtSchool.com

• Online way to share attendance, behaviour and progress information to parents.

• The website is live and shows lesson by lesson attendance and punctuality.

• Through this password protected website we provide parents with reports.