Woodkirk AcademyWelcome to the 2016 Year 10 Information Evening

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO HELP?

Research

Parental support is eight times more important in determining a child’s academic success than other factors such as the parent’s educational background.The Campaign For Learning

Parental support

• The good news is that you don’t need to be an expert in any of the subjects your child chooses to make a real difference. You also don’t need to give up your life and other responsibilities – you just need to know how best to spend the time you do have.

• Your support, encouragement and interest can make a spectacular difference to your child’s motivation and ability to cope with the academic and organisational demands of the exam period.

• Quiet place to work, revision guides etc

ATTENDANCE and PUNCTUALITY

• Ensure your child has a high level of attendance - research tells us that 17 missed school days in a year results in a drop in one GCSE grade. Aim for at least 96%.

• 90% in an exam is a great result but in terms of attendance it means that the student has missed 1 of every 10 days – over a period of a year this is equivalent to 4 weeks of school and it will ultimately affect their final result

• Punctuality - lateness disrupts the start of lessons and affects others too!

How you can help your child?

Holidays – there are 175 non school days in a year to spend on family time, visits, holidays, shopping etc

Appointments – outside of school hours if possible

Attend Parents’ Evenings

Act as the go between (home and school) – ensure problems are dealt with as soon as possible

Rules around the use of technology?

MONITORING PROGRESS

THE OPT SYSTEM – link on the school website

PARENTAL ACCESS

Please get in touch if you don’t have your access details.

THINGS TO WATCH FOR

Please ensure you view all reports and please discuss them with your child – contact school if necessary.

Curriculum and Assessment

Understanding your child’s curriculum and assessment

• All GCSEs now have terminal exams• No modules or resits

• All BTEC/OCR qualifications all have externally assessed units.

• All the other units take place in lesson time and homework.

Understanding the qualifications

• All GCSEs apart from Sociology, DT and Business Studies will be reported in grades 9 – 1.

• Sociology, DT and Business Studies still have grades A* - G.

• BTEC grades are Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction *

• Target grades are aspirational but achievable with consistent hard work.

Curriculum and Assessment

New GCSE Grade Old GCSE Grade9 A**

8

A*

A*

A+

7A

A-

6B+

B

5B-

C+

4C

C-

3

D+

D

D-

E+

2

E

E-

F+

F

1

F-

G+

G

G-

• Assessments taking place throughout the courses. These are used by teachers to identify gaps in knowledge and understanding.

• Exams should be taken seriously and thoroughly revised for.

• A gap in knowledge or understanding is much more difficult to correct later.

Don’t leave it too late!

• Students must stay in education or training until they 18.

• Competition for the best places at 6th form and colleges.

• Achieving the best grades possible is vital.

• Parental support has the greatest effect on a child’s achievement.

Curriculum and Assessment

• Homework every evening – if non set, recap work completed during the week.

• 1 – 11/2 hours work each evening increasing at assessment times.

• Take advantage of support sessions after school and during the holidays.

• Encourage students to keep on top of their work, not leaving things until the deadline or ignoring sections they don’t understand.

• Revise thoroughly for all tests and exams.

Expectations

ACHIEVE THE BEST GRADES POSSIBLE

• The quality of your child’s results matter

• GCSEs and equivalents – grades stay with students for life

• Start planning for the future. Aspirational plans can be very motivating when the going gets tough!

• 6th Form Open evening is Thursday – come along!

The Sixth Form @Woodkirk Academy.

Community spirit