year 11 information evening - ponteland high school · year 11 information evening preparing for...

Year 11 Information Evening

Preparing for GCSEsTuesday 10 October 2017

Staff Students

Kieran McGraneJim Balkwill Grace, Lucy, Ellen & Sam (English)David CockburnJohn Dolman Lauren, Francesca & Katrina (Maths)Mark WarlandLarraine Tilley Honor, Annabel & Matthew (Science)Sally Huntley

Y11 Information Evening

1. New Grades for most GCSEsNew GCSE

Grading StructureOld GCSE

Grading Structure

9 A*8

A7

6 B

5

C4

3 D

2 E

F1

G

2. Attendance Matters

In 2016 GCSEs students with less than 90% attendance scored on average a P8 figure of -0.9

Year 11 timeline before GCSE exam period▶4 weeks before the Y11 mock exams▶8 weeks teaching before Christmas▶15 weeks teaching after Christmas

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” (Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher, 604-531BC)

The time is now:▶Plan Organise Do.

3. Timescale

In 2011▶188,000 students failed Eng. Lang. GCSE▶210,000 students failed Maths GCSE

About half the students resat. Of these …

By 2013▶6% had passed English Language▶7% had passed Maths

4. Year 11 is the time

Headline Figures 2017

English/Maths 4+ 80% Attainment

English/Maths 5+ 54% Attainment

EBacc 4+ 34% Attainment

EBacc 5+ 31% Attainment

English 4+ / 5+ 89% / 70% Attainment

Maths 4+ / 5+ 82% / 64% Attainment

Progress English basket (KS2 - KS4) +0.33 Progress

Progress Maths basket (KS2 - KS4) +0.35 Progress

Progress EBacc basket (KS2 - KS4) +0.25 Progress

Year 11 Summer 2017 - Ponteland HS

ENGLISH Supporting Your Child


General Information▶ Exam board: Edexcel▶ All students will take a GCSE in both English Language and

English Literature.▶ It is an untiered qualification.▶ The assessment consists of four externally examined

papers (2 for English Language; 2 for English Literature), plus a separate endorsement of Spoken Language which is internally assessed.

▶ It is a linear qualification so all examination papers must be taken at the end of the course.

▶ The qualification will be graded and certificated on a nine grade scale from 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest grade

GCSE English Language

Paper 1- 1 hr 45mins (40%) Paper 2- 2 hrs (60%)

Section A (15%)

Unseen 19th Century Fiction

Section A (30%)

Comparison of two unseen non-fiction texts

Section B (25%)

Creative WritingSection B (30%)

Transactional Writing

GCSE English Language

Paper 1- 1 hr 45mins (40%) Paper 2- 2 hrs (60%)

Section A (15%)Unseen 19th Century FictionExtract will be approx 650 wordsShorter response questions will focus on close analysis of the text; longer response questions will ask students to show their understanding of the whole text.

Section A (30%)Comparison of two unseen texts from the 20th and 21st centuryOne non-fiction; one literary non-fictionExtracts will be approximately 1000 words in totalShorter response questions will focus on close reading of the texts; longer response questions will ask students to compare the texts.

Section B (25%)Creative WritingChoice of 2 tasks linked to the theme of the 19th century fictionOne task will include images to help students address the taskAudience and purpose along with SPaG will be assessed.

Section B (30%)Transactional WritingChoice of two tasks linked to the theme of the textsNewspaper articles, letters etcAudience and purpose along with SPaG will be assessed.

GCSE English Literature

Paper 1- 1 hr 45 mins (50%) Paper 2- 2 hrs 15 mins (50%)

Section A (25%)

Romeo and JulietSection A (25%)

19th Century Fiction‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ or ‘A Christmas Carol’

Section B (25%)

Post-1914 British Drama or Prose‘An Inspector Calls’‘The Woman in Black’

Section B (25%)

Poetry from the Anthology: RelationshipsUnseen poetry

GCSE English Literature

Paper 1- 1 hr 45 mins (50%) Paper 2- 2 hrs 15 mins (50%)

Section A (25%)Shakespeare: Romeo and JulietTwo questionsOne based on a 30 line extract and one on the whole play

Section A (25%)19th Century Fiction‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ or ‘A Christmas Carol’Two questionsOne based on a 400 word extract and one on the whole novel

Section B (25%)Post-1914 British Drama or ProseEither DRAMA or PROSEChoice of essay questionsSPaG is assessed

Section B (25%)Poetry: RelationshipsOne question comparing one named poem from the chosen anthology collection with another of the student’s choice from the collectionOne question comparing the two unseen contemporary poems

What Can I Do To Help?

1. Get a copy of the texts so your child can annotate, reread and revise.

1) ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (ISBN: 9781107615403)

2) Either ‘A Christmas Carol’ (ISBN: 9781407143644)Or ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ (ISBN: 9780141439730)

3) Either ‘The Woman in Black’ (ISBN: 9780099288473)Or ‘An Inspector Calls’ (ISBN: 9780435232825)


2. Encourage your child to start revising now!

The ‘Edexcel endorsed’ TARGET GRADE 5 and TARGET GRADE 9 workbooks are available from the English department for £6.00 (Reading and Writing Workbook)


3. Ask about the English Exam Booklets

‘Formulas’, sample questions with answers, mark schemes and examiner’s commentary, a ‘toolkit’, practice questions, key exam dates.


4. Attend one of the workshops designed for parents

Proposed dates:Wednesday 10th January, 6-7pmThursday 8th February, 6-7pm

Invitations from Mr Dolman via school comms


5. Ensure your child attends English revision sessions

March onwards45 minutes sessions (to cover eight exam

sections) from 3.35-4.15pmRunning on a carousel so two

opportunities to attend each session


6. Ask about ‘Google Classroom’

Homework and additional reading material is available on the ‘Google Classroom’.


7. Encourage your child to seek help if they are struggling

Homework ClubEvery Thursday lunchtime/ after-schoolMiss Karatzenis (H11)

The ‘Real’ ExpertsYear 12 Students:

Grace HigginsLucy FraserSam Ryans

Ellen Sparshott

MATHS IN YEAR 11

THE NEW MATHS GCSE

FOUNDATION HIGHER A LEVEL

THE NEW MATHS GCSE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

G F E D C B A A*G F E D C B A A*

THE NEW MATHS GCSE

1 2 3 4 5

G F E D C B A A*

4 5 6 7 8 9

FOUNDATION

HIGHER

“Why can’t we just try higher?”

Maths GCSE

H


Maths GCSE

F


In 2016, 76% of entries for the old Maths GCSE were at the higher tier…

In 2017, this dropped to 53% for the new Maths GCSE.

Mock Exams

Used to determine which students should switch from higher to foundation.

Identify which topics you are struggling with and which topics you need to

prioritise for the summer.

Identify which students could get a grade 9 and the offer of additional support.

The Revision Regime

Morning Revision Sessions:• Run from 8:45 – 9:15 two mornings a

week from February.• Work through self guided booklets at a

pace that’s right for you.• Repetition aids retention.• Perfect opportunity to get help from

staff.

The Revision Regime

Weekly Practice Papers• One completed for homework every

week.• Marked with follow up questions to

work on your weaknesses.• Essential that you put a lot of effort into

these and not ignore the questions you find difficult.

The Revision Regime

Fortnightly Tests• Students are given a practice test to

study at home.• They do a similar test in lessons. • If they do not reach the pass mark they

do a re-test at a break or lunchtime. • If necessary, they attend a revision

session after school.

Making The Most Of

Maths GCSELauren, Francesca and Katrina.

Making full use of your time in school

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help in free time, at lunch or break (from teachers or friends).

• Attend the compulsory morning revision sessions and any after school/superlearning when applicable.

Revision out of lessons

• Look over your work when you get home and make sure you understand it – ask the teacher if not.

• Use MyMaths tasks and booster packs.• PHS Revision booklets cover a wide range of topics,

complete the ones you find most difficult.• Youtube tutorials - learning methods from Youtube

helps when you cannot have teacher guidance.• Don’t leave it to the night before – start revision

early, there’s a lot to cover!• Corbett Maths flashcards.

General Advice

• Don’t think you can’t revise for maths!• Past papers- complete all past papers

offered by school and others on AQA website.

• Specification.• Show all working as you can gain marks

for your method.• Prioritise topics that you find hard

rather than putting them off.• WORK HARD – to achieve high grades.

Mock Exams

• Revise for mock paper as it will give you an idea what a real exam is like.

• Do not just have an attitude that mocks don’t matter.

• It shows you your weaknesses and what you need to revise further.

Revision Guides

• Available to buy from school in D07.• £10 gets a revision guide, a workbook

and an exam questions book complete with answers.

SCIENCE Supporting Your Child


Science at Ponteland High School

www.edexcel.com

GCSESciences 2017-18

Progress to date….B1 - Biology key concepts ✓B2 - Cells and control ✓B3 – Genetics ✓B4 - Natural selection and genetic modification ✓B5 - Health Disease and medicineB6 – Plant structures and their functionsB7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasisB8 – Exchange and transport in animalsB9 – Ecosystems and material cycles

C1 - States of matter ✓C2 - Separating and purifying ✓C3 - Atomic structure ✓C4 - The Periodic Table ✓C5 - Ionic Bonding ✓C6 - Covalent Bonding ✓C7 - Types of Substance ✓C8 – Acids ✓C9 - Calculations involving mass ✓C10 - Electrolytic process ✓C11 – Obtaining and using metals ✓C12 - Reversible reactions ✓C13 - Transition metals (SEPS ONLY) ✓C14 – Quantitative Analysis (SEPS ONLY) ✓C15 – Dynamic Equilibria (SEPS ONLY)C16 – Chemical and fuel cells (SEPS ONLY)

C17 – Groups in the Periodic TableC18 – Rates of reactionC19 – Energy changes in reactions ✓C20 – Fuels ✓C21 – Earth and atmospheric science ✓C22 – Hydrocarbons (SEPS ONLY)C23 – Alcohols and carboxylic acids (SEPS ONLY)C24 – Polymers (SEPS ONLY)C25 – Tests for ions (SEPS ONLY)C26 – Bulk and surface properties (SEPS ONLY)

P1 – Motion ✓P2 - Forces and motion ✓P3 - Conservation of energy ✓P4 – Waves ✓P5 - Light and the EM Spectrum ✓P6 – Radioactivity ✓P7 – Astronomy (SEPS ONLY) ✓P8 – Forces doing work ✓P9 – Forces and their effectsP10 – ElectricityP11 – Static Electricity (SEPS ONLY)P12 – Magnetism and the motor effectP13 – Electromagnetic InductionP14 – Particle ModelP15 – Forces and matter

Making up the time for Separate Scientists

• Significant homework task for over Christmas holidays.

• Redistribution of teaching time between Biology, Chemistry & Physics to ensure all topics are taught fully.

• Pace will increase further in lessons, including lecture style delivery and significant homework tasks including background reading.

• Afterschool revision sessions run for Paper 1 topics before mock exam and Paper 2 topics before real exams.

What the exams will look like

Preparation for Mock Exams Revision Sessions – Seps. & Combined

Date Teacher Room Topic(s)Wednesday 11 October Mr Anderson C01 P4

Thursday 12 October Mr Tuck C15 C1/2/3/4

Friday 13 October Mr Hicklenton C01 B2

Monday 16 October Mr Close-Ash C04 C10/12/13

Tuesday 17 October Mr Warland C12 P3

Monday 16 October Dr Green C01 B4

Tuesday 17 October Mr Armstrong C11 P5

Wednesday 18 October Mrs Richardson C06 B5

Thursday 19 October Dr Miller C14 C8/9

Friday 20 October Mr Oliver C05 C5/6/7

Monday 30 October My Tulip C07 B3

Available from the Science Prep. room (£5 each).

Preparation for Mock Exams Revision Guides

Students have been given login details so that they can access this website. Contains an electronic version of

the textbook, homework tasks and modelled answers.

www.pearsonactivelearn.com/

Preparation for Mock Exams Active Learn

•Digital versions available on ActiveLearn.

•Hard copies can be purchased from Edexcel.

www.pearsonschools.co.uk/science

Preparation for Mock Exams Textbooks

http://www.pearsonschools.co.uk/science

http://www.pearsonschools.co.uk/science

Tier of Entry & Course Entry

• Following the November mock examinations the tier of entry (FT or HT) will be decided by class teachers for both Separate Science and Combined Science students. Parents can appeal the decision.

• Entry onto A-Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics will require students achieving a grade 6 on the HT paper. For Applied Science a grade 4 on either the FT or HT paper will be accepted.

• There is the option for Separate Science students to be entered for Combined Science in June 2018 if mock exam results are poor across all three subjects. Parents will be consulted.

Contacts

•Raising Achievement Leader Science (Physics) – Mr Warland

•Raising Achievement Deputy Science (Biology) – Miss Richardson

•Raising Achievement Co-ordinator (Chemistry) – Mr Tuck

•Raising Achievement Co-ordinator (KS4 Science) – Mr Tulip

‘Use highlighter pens to identify key facts in your lesson notes.’

‘Stay organised – make sure your book is sectioned into different topics and lessons, with key information highlighted.’

‘Speak to your teacher when stuck. They are there to help.’

‘Focus your revision on all of your science subjects not just the one you find easiest or most enjoyable e.g. Biology.’

‘Make notes throughout the lesson on anything that is new to you. Don’t wait for instruction from the teacher.’

Student Tips

‘Don’t leave revision till the last minute. Do a bit each night.’

‘Attend the extra revision sessions. They are always useful.’

‘When revising create a revision sheet to show the main pieces of theory in a topic and how they are related. Use the syllabus to focus on the areas you do not understand.’‘Buy the revision guides, they don’t cost much and are a big help. The textbooks are also really useful, especially for catching up on missed work.’

‘Revise thoroughly for each topic test as this will help you understand the science as you are taught the course. You will also learn which revision strategies suit you best.’

How to Cope

The ‘Stress Busters’ at a glance▶Sport and Exercise▶Meditation / Mindfulness techniques▶Music▶Reading a Book▶Hobby/Interest▶Being with Friends▶Time with Pets▶Medical Intervention▶Prayer or Reflection

Are there any practical considerations?- Would you need to organise certain things?- Would you need to buy anything?- Would you need to speak to anyone?

Coping Strategies

Coping Strategies Can you think of a time in your life when you were most content and settled?

Where was it?

When was it?

More importantly, why do you think you were so content and settled?

This might help you to think about what helps you to relax and reduce stress.

1. Attendance

▶You don’t fall behind▶You are reviewing previous knowledge▶You are learning new items▶You can ask questions and seek help▶You are going over past papers

How to Prepare and Succeed

2. Be Prepared

▶Organise your time▶Build up your revision schedule step by step ▶Plan your work/revision timetable weekly ▶Create a balanced work/relax/social schedule ▶Find how you best learn and revise ▶Seek support from parents, friends, teachers

Refer to the Y11 Revision Guidefor all the above


3. Become Calm

▶Stress occurs when we let things build up▶Calmness occurs when we learn to cope▶We cope by:✓ organising ourselves✓ planning a balanced, effective schedule✓ doing

Use the Guideto help you


year 11 information evening - ponteland high school · year 11 information evening preparing for...

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