Supporting Success

Year 11 Learning Managers

11A Amanda Rashleigh

11M Matt Page

Pastoral Support

• Tutor • Learning Manager • Key Stage 4 Co-ordinator • Assistant Headteacher – Guy Whitehead • Inclusion Mentor • Learning Mentor • All can be contacted via the Key Stage 4 office

Assessment Data

• 5 data inputs will take place over the next 9 months

• Subject teachers will record this information which will then be used by the mentors in their meetings with their mentees

• It will be available via the MyChildAtSchool.com after each input in: October, November, January, February and April

• An online report will be produced in June 2014

Monitoring Students

• Assessment data collected monthly and available to parents via learning link or email

• Our post 16 Open Evening 7th November 2013 • Other Open days/evenings will be publicised for

students • Parents’ Evening (6-8pm) 28th November 2013 • Parents’ Evening (4-6pm) 5th December 2013 • Applications for 16+/FE will be out in December • Mocks begin 9th December 2013 • Interviews for 16+ January 2014 • Mock results day - Tuesday 21st January 2014

Controlled Assessment

• Has replaced coursework

• Independent study skills are central to success

• Booklets are on the website for Parents and students will be given their own copy in tutorial

• The Heads of Department for each of the Core subjects will speak to you to give you more detail

• Deadlines are different for every subject - the key thing is that deadlines must be met

Assertive Mentoring

• Every Year 11 student has an assertive mentor who will discuss each round of data with your child

• Monthly meetings will be held to discuss their progress

• Targets will be set and intervention used if necessary to ensure students achieve their target grades, which will be recorded on p.176 of their planners

Examinations • The examinations officer – Eleanor Gregory telephone 0116 277

1555 or e-mail on egregory@countesthorpe.cc

• GCSE entries will be finalised by departments in March, when tiers are decided (if appropriate)

• Examination entry statements will be given to students before the Easter holidays and individual seating plans after Easter holidays

• Please read the exams policy which is on our website

• Parents and students can contact Eleanor directly if there are

any inaccuracies or queries

• Queries about re-sits should be directed to the Head of Department in the first instance

Exams

• The official start of the summer examination period is Monday 12th May 2014 but practical exams will be taking place before this date in Music, Drama, Art, Languages and PE

• Those involved will be given exam slips • Results will be available to students on:

Thursday 21st August 2014

Good Habits

• Planners – please ensure your child is using it and you are checking it and signing it

• Equipment – this will be checked by tutors and students are aware of the requirements

• Attendance – please ensure any absence is reported to our attendance officer at the earliest opportunity, texts will be sent for absences

• Details – please ensure details are updated especially emergency contact numbers

English in Year 11

In English …

• Most students take both English Language and English Literature. Some excellent results already

• Assessment is by Controlled Assessment and external examination

• Intervention is used to address underachievement

• Parental support is vital

Year 11 Controlled Assessments

All written controlled assessments are done.

There’s just one Speaking and Listening left:

• December 2013 Topical Discussion

In Year 11 we will also look to re-do any assessments that are under target grades

Year 11 Exams

20th May 2014

English Literature 1 – 2 hours, 35%

Of Mice and Men / Unseen Poetry

22nd May 2014

English Literature 2 – 2 hours, 40%

About a Boy / An Inspector Calls

or Lord of the Flies / Blood Brothers

3rd June 2014

English Language 1: Reading – 1 hour, 20%

English Language 2: Writing – 1 hour, 20%

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

Countesthorpe College

GCSE Maths in Year 11

GCSE Maths • Countesthorpe students are entered for the

WJEC Linear Mathematics Course. We are doing an early entry for Year 11 in November 2013. Letter given to your child and on our website, to establish minimum target grades.

Examination Dates:

Wednesday 6th November 2013 AM Mathematics – Linear

Paper 1 Foundation 1hour 45minutes

Paper 1 Higher 2hours

Monday 11th November 2013 AM Mathematics – Linear

Paper 2 Foundation 1hour 45minutes

Paper 2 Higher 2hours

GCSE Maths • Students will then take the linear exam in June, and we will be

expecting all students to have moved up one grade.

Examination Dates:

Monday 9th June 2014 AM Mathematics – Linear

Paper 1 Foundation 1hour 45minutes

Paper 1 Higher 2hours

Tuesday 17th June 2014 AM Mathematics – Linear

Paper 2 Foundation 1hour 45minutes

Paper 2 Higher 2hours

GCSE Further Maths • Some students in the top sets will be taking an additional

GCSE in Further Maths. This will be for students who gain an A/A* in the November 2013 sitting.

Examination Dates:

Monday 16th June 2014 AM Paper 1 Non-calculator 1hour 30minutes

Friday 20th June 2014 AM Paper 2 Calculator 2hours

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*

How Students Excel

Commitment to study – in and out of school Take responsibility – review learning, plan revision Know what to revise Use appropriate resources: Analysis of previous tests/APP Revision Guides and Work Books Past papers Web Sites: www.mymaths.co.uk (User: Countesthorpe, Password: prime) College learning platform - Fronter Access support from teachers, parents and friends

Homework

• Homework is a compulsory element of our

courses and is set weekly. • We have pre-prepared weekly homeworks

following our scheme of work. Homeworks are accessed from Fronter and are also available as a printed booklet.

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

We will encourage and support all students to achieve their best

• Most students do well through full participation in their weekly lessons.

• We identify students who are underachieving and intervene to boost their performance. This is particularly the case for those on the D/C borderline.

• We also look out for rapid improvements where target grades were less than D and want to be better.

• As the final exam approaches we will provide additional revision opportunities.

Intervention Strategies

• Provide every student with a set of revision booklets and topics to revise.

• Use mock exam results and analysis to identify students likely to underachieve and provide additional support in the run up to exams.

• A target group will be identified and provided with additional support in preparation for the final exam in June.

• Mathematics Clinics after school twice a week.

SCIENCE

Year 11 Science Courses

Additional Science More appropriate for A’ Level courses Targeted at grades A* - C

Triple Science Best for A’ Level courses, targeted at A* - C

BTEC Vocational course – coursework and exam Targeted at grades C – G, not for A level

Additional Science

• Chemistry, biology and physics topics

through the year for three exams C2, B2

and P2 (25% each) in June 2014.

• Coursework Investigation – ISA in autumn

term, after half term worth 25%.

• Triple science do three ISAs in Year 11.

Triple Science

Same as Additional Science Curriculum

except –

• Extra content taught in option lesson as

in Year 10.

• All 9 exam papers taken in May/June

2014.

BTEC

• Coursework assignments worth 75%.

• 2-3 week deadlines all the way through.

• MUST keep up to date with assignments.

• Exam in March 2014 worth 25%.

• Course not suitable for A Levels in

Science afterwards.

Support

• Tuesday and Thursday P.A.S.S. Sessions

(Pupil After School Support).

• Revision Guides

• Learning Link

• Websites e.g. BBC Bitesize (links in

Fronter VLE)

• Past Papers for practise.

ACHIEVING SUCCESS DESIGN TECHNOLOGY YEAR 11

For either AQA GCSE Resistant Materials, Graphic Products,

Textiles or Food.

HOW IS IT STRUCTURED?

The course is assessed as 2 units:

Unit 1: Subject knowledge acquired from introductory projects

and independent research. Worth 40%

2 hour exam paper in May or June

Research and revision around a theme / topic which they will be

given in March 2014

A question relating to the preparation sheet

may look like this

The preparation sheet for the exam

will look like this

Preliminary Material for the exam paper

25% of the marks for the exam can be “rehearsed” through good

preparation.

The remaining 90 marks will test subject knowledge and understanding. This will

include relevant issues such as sustainability and Fair Trade.

Responses to higher marked questions should be practised at home. The exam

board will award higher marks to the more detailed responses that use subject

terminology in the correct context. Key words must be learnt and spelt correctly.

Attendance to the exam is vital.

1. Gather images to do with the theme

2. Produce lots of different design ideas

3. Annotate where it meets key criteria & how it could be

made

Another very useful resource for

research and revision is BBC

Learning Zone classroom clips. It

shows lots of industrial practices.

Past exam papers and revision hints are also available so that students

can start practising as soon as possible.

Encourage them to use Fronter as part of their revision preparation. This

includes the mock exam in December as well as the final summer exam.

A revision guide/student workbook is essential for all DT subjects and it

is expected that students will have been using one of these throughout

the course.

UNIT 2:

This is the Controlled Assessment Unit, worth 60% of the overall grade. Students will

researching, designing, developing, planning and making a product.

Students have been given monitoring dates and progress targets

CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT MONITORING POINTS DEVELOPMENT, TESTING, FINAL PROSOSAL & MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATION:

18th October, 2013 (Textiles)

1st November, 2013 (Res Mat/ Food)

29th November, 2013 (Graphics)

PRACTICAL WORK PROGRESS & DIARY OF MAKING: 8th December, 2013 (Res Mat/ Food)

7th February, 2014 (Textiles)

21st February, 2014 (Graphics)

FINAL TESTING & EVALUATION:

7th February, 2014 (Res Mat/ Food)

14th March, 2014 (Graphics)

21st March, 2014 (Textiles)

FINAL HAND-IN ALL GCSE DT SUBJECTS 21st March, 2014

A good project should be concise. It isn’t about quantity. The exam board

limits students to 20 sides of A3 or 20 slides for an e-portfolio.

They need to be independent & pro-active

Activities that could be going on at home are:

Conducting interviews with their target group & retail outlets where product is

to be sold

Show models of their idea to target groups for feedback for improvements &

using this information under CC to modify their proposal.

Typing up draft work seen by teacher.

HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT YOUR SON/ DAUGHTER? Check planners for equipment or materials needed….especially Textiles and Food.

Textiles: Purchase the fabric to make their product & bring into College next week

Attend support sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays when late buses run.

Meet Controlled Assessment deadline, needs to be signed off by 21st March 2014)

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. The only practical work that may be

done at home are adding embellishments.

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.

DT23 (Graphics) is available every lunchtime for students to

complete folder tasks or type up their work.

REVISION GUIDES AND

STUDENT WORK BOOKS:

Letts and Lonsdale series:

Students have had letters to

order these already.

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/d

esign/

Suitable for all DT subjects

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

and Technology’

Useful websites and revision guides

BTEC LEVEL 2 ENGINEERING

BTEC Engineering consists of 4 units.

Students have already completed 2 units for this course and are well

on track.

No formal examination. All internally assessed and verified.

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

Merit, Distinction or Distinction plus (P,M or D).

THE UNITS & STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE

Students do 4 units, two as separate units and two inter-linked.

Evidence will be reports, slide shows, verbal and electronic presentations,

photographs and teacher observations

UNIT 19: Electronic Circuit Construction (24 weeks) Making an amplifier, design circuits and soldering. The cover for the amplifier will

have been designed for unit 2 using TechSoft 2D Design.

UNIT 10: Using Computer Aided Drawing Techniques in Engineering

(24 weeks) A prototype will be produced using the CNC milling machine from a CAD drawing.

Units to complete….

HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT YOUR SON/ DAUGHTER?

The use of FRONTER is essential. All

assignments, including homework tasks, are

submitted electronically

Check assignment feedback on Fronter. Feedback

on assignments is given electronically. To improve

to the next grade, all assignments must be at

that level.

Download Google Sketch-up. This will enable

them to practice for unit 10 to do CAD drawings.

GCSE Humanities AQA 4070

Expectations and Course Content

Maggie Devine

Head of Humanities

GCSE Humanities Course

The topics are: • 1. Culture and Beliefs (Paper 1-Year 11) • 2. Environmental Issues (Paper 1 – Year 11)

• 3. Prejudice and Persecution (Paper 2 –Year 11) • 4. Global Inequality (Paper 2 – Year 11)

Unit 2 – Year 11

Prejudice and Persecution

Causes

• Types

• Case Studies

• Evaluation of strategies used to prevent prejudice and discrimination

Global Inequality

• How to identify it

• Causes

• Impact on MEDCs and LEDCs

• Addressing the issues

• Aid agencies and their contributions

Scheme of Assessment

There are 2 exam papers: • Paper 1: 1 hr 15 mins. Culture & Beliefs/

Environmental Issues. • Source Booklets will be released to

candidates. • Paper 2: 1 hr 15 mins. Global Inequality/

Prejudice & Persecution. • Controlled Assessment – Year 11

Autumn/Spring Term

Preparation GCSE Humanities Exam

• A source book to accompany the exam will be issued

• Revision Booklets will be available for a small cost

• Practice exam questions 2 to 12 marks

• Timed exam questions.

Year 11 Controlled Assessment

• Worth 25% • 2000 words • Investigation and planning 8-12 hours • Final presentation, students work independently, under

formal supervision for 3-4 hours (exam conditions). • May take research materials but not a plan into the

formal supervised sessions. This must be submitted to the exam board.

• Focus question will change every year – “Globalisation and interdependence between countries can cause more challenges than benefits.” Do you agree?

Preparation for Controlled Assessment

• Regular research tasks to develop skills required for Controlled Assessment.

• Encouragement of students to accept responsibility for own learning.

• Access to research facilities as part of Humanities lessons; to be followed up at home.

• Practise ‘Controlled Assessment’ skills.

• Maintain a bibliography.

Why study Humanities?

• Develops understanding of social, political, religious and moral issues.

• Develops communication and lifelong skills.

• Allows you to consider issues from different perspectives

• Develops academic skills across a range of school disciplines 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.

• Parents were sent usernames and passwords in June.