GCSE Revision Guidance for Parents and Carers
2015/16
Subject Area Information
GCSE English Language
Exam Board: AQA Exam date: (60% of overall grade) Tuesday, 7th June 2016 Length: 2 hours 15mins Unit Code: ENG1F/ENG1H
Examination Information
Section A Reading (1 hour and 15 minutes) Students will be given 3 non-fiction unseen texts that they have to read and answer questions about. The texts usually include a website, a newspaper article and often a blog or extract from an autobiography. Students will be tested on the following reading skills:
Inference (reading between the lines and understanding what an article suggests). Language analysis (how a writer uses words and language features for a particular
impact). Presentational feature analysis (how a writer uses presentational features such as
image, headline and colour for a particular impact).
Section B Writing (1 hour) Students will be given 2 writing tasks to complete.
Shorter task: Writing to inform, explain or describe. Longer task: Writing to argue or persuade.
Students will be marked on the following: 1. Style/tone/formality. 2. Vocabulary choices and spelling. 3. Paragraphing and structure. 4. Use of language techniques appropriate to the writing style. 5. Punctuation and Sentence variety.
Your child will complete a mock examination in GCSE English Language in December 2015. They will then be given personalised Target Response Booklets to cater for their individual areas for development.
GCSE English Literature
Exam Board: AQA Date: Paper 1: (40% of overall grade) 23rd May 2016 Length: 1 hour 30mins Unit Code: 97151F/H Date: Paper 2: (35% of overall grade) 27th May 2016 Length: 1 hour 15mins Unit Code:97154F/ H
Examination Information
Paper 1 Literature - Section A, modern prose or drama. An Inspector Calls Students will read the play An Inspector Calls in lessons in preparation for the examination. The students will be given a choice of two questions from which to choose but they will only answer one. One question will usually be on the characters or relationships between the characters and the second question will usually be on a theme in the play. They will have 45 minutes to answer the question.
Paper 1 Literature- Section B, Exploring Cultures. Of Mice and Men Students have read the novel Of Mice and Men previously as part of their English Language qualification. They will revise it again prior to their literature examination. The students will be given one, two part question to answer. The first part of the question will be about the presentation of a theme or character in an extract from the novel.
The second part of the question will be about relating this character or theme back to the context of the novel. This could be about race, gender, discrimination, social attitudes etc. They will have 45 minutes to answer the question.
Paper 2 Literature: Section A, Conflict poetry comparison Students have studied a selection of poems from the Moon on the Tides anthology on the theme of conflict.
In the examination they will get a choice of two questions asking them to compare two of the poems from the conflict cluster of poems. They will be asked to compare them in relation to a particular theme.
They will have 45 minutes to answer this question.
Paper 2 Literature: Section B, Unseen Poetry analysis. Students will be given a poem printed in the examination paper which they will not have seen before. They will be asked to answer a question on the presentation of a particular idea or theme in the poem. They will have 30 minutes to answer the question.
IN BOTH EXAMS STUDENTS WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO: Identify quotes from all texts Analyse the quotes in relation to a theme or idea Be able to discuss the writers choices
GCSE Mathematics
Exam Board: Edexcel Exam Dates: 26th May 2016 (non-calculator) Exam Dates: 9th June 2016 (calculator) Assessment The course will be tested through written examination papers only with Edexcel. Candidates are entered for their final examination papers at different levels, according to their individual progress and attainment:
Higher level will award grades A*, A, B, C, D Foundation level will award grades C, D, E, F, G
Key Stage 4: GCSE Mathematics To develop the ability to:
Use and apply Mathematics effectively in everyday situations Set out mathematical problems clearly using the appropriate symbols Think abstractly using algebra Organise and present information in a variety of forms (e.g. tabular or graphical) Perform calculations by suitable methods (including mental methods and the use of
calculators) Work accurately Recognise patterns and structure Recognise and use spatial relationships in 2 and 3 dimensions Use mathematical instruments to draw to an acceptable degree of accuracy Carry out investigational work Discuss mathematical ideas.
The department uses resources at Key Stage 3 and 4 which have been developed by the Mathematics Department and have since been adopted by a number of schools within the A+ Trust. The range of ICT used in the department includes MyMaths, MathsWatch, Sumdog, Interactive Resources including the SMART Notebook software for delivering our lessons throughout the curriculum. All pupils are provided with a login for www.mymaths.co.uk and Sumdog which is an online learning tool that provide tutorials and practice questions to help pupils with their revision. Pupils are assessed on a regular basis and sit a series of mock examinations in preparation for their final GCSE examination at the end of Year 11. Following the mock examinations pupils are provided with a question by question analysis of their assessments to ensure they all know where to focus their revision. There are opportunities for a variety of learning styles. These include problem-solving; investigations; practical Mathematics; teacher exposition; routine practice and questions to develop conceptual understanding. Homework is regularly set to consolidate previously learned concepts and to gauge understanding.
http://www.mymaths.co.uk/http://www.mossleyhollins.com/www.mathswatchvle.com
GCSE Science Provisional 2016 Exam Dates Triple Science students: GCSE Biology: B1 Tues 17th May (pm), B2 Fri 10th June (am), B3 Mon 20th June (am) GCSE Chemistry: C1 Thurs 19th May (am), C2 Wed 15th June (pm), C3 Wed 22nd June (am) GCSE Physics: P1 Wed 25th May (pm), P2 Fri 17th June (am), P3 Fri 24th June (am) GCSE Science students (11D and 11-3): B1 Tues 17th May (pm), C1 Thurs 19th May (am), P1 Wed 25th May (pm) GCSE Additional Science students (11B, 11C, 11-2): B2 Fri 10th June (am), C2 Wed 15th June (pm), P2 Fri 17th June (am) Examination Preparation in School
GCSE Mock examinations and examination analysis: o Students will sit mock GCSE unit examinations in all science disciplines over the
course of the next 6 months so we can monitor their progress and provide them with vital examination practice. Revision homework will be set shortly before these examinations take place. Analysis of the results will inform us as to what the next steps should be;
Triple Science students: lunch time intervention classes: o Students studying separate science will be expected to come to booster sessions
during lunchtime if they are below target in a particular topic area. Students will be informed of which classes they are expected to attend. Of course they are welcome to attend all classes.
GCSE Science and Additional Science GCSE students- Food for Thought: o Targeted students will be invited, by letter, to attend the school Food for Thought
programme;
All students - after school targeted revision classes: o These classes will begin after February half term. A letter will be sent home to
explain more about this.
All students- pizza nights: o Two hour revision sessions held the evening before each examination. Letters will
be sent home with more information.
Helping with Examination Preparation at Home The following resources and information should help you to support your child as they prepare for their examinations throughout the year:
Revision guides: we can order a set of revision packs, each of which includes a revision guide, workbook and answer booklet and covers the subject content for all of the relevant May and June 2014 examinations. We have sent letters out already and have ordered the first batch of these, but another letter will be sent out later in the year giving you another opportunity to purchase a set.
The CGP iphone app: if your son or daughter has an iPhone they can download this revision app for 1.49, which works alongside the revision guide.
Access to the school VLE: students can access all the Boardworks PowerPoint presentations used in lessons via the science departmental area on the VLE. Students can access all the revision PowerPoints and quizzes using the password boardworks.
Access to www.pearsonactivelearn.com: this website contains an electronic version of the textbooks we use in class, as well as revision quizzes and exercises which will help your child consolidate their understanding of lesson content. All students in Year 11 have access to this, although some students will have undoubtedly forgotten Passwords and log-in details can be reset as required.
I hope that you find the resources above useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me or your childs class teacher if you would like any further revision material or
