Year 11 Parents’ Information

Evening

Supporting progress and success in Maths and English

To present parents with an overview of GCSE Maths and GCSE English Language and Literature.

To provide parents with a range of practical strategies to help your sons and daughters succeed for GCSE Maths and GCSE English Language and Literature.

To familiarise parents with the key resources required to succeed in GCSE Maths and GCSE English Language and Literature.

Why are we here tonight?

Grades and Progress◦ Success is not just about the final outcome, but how

hard you work to get there.

Targets◦ Set based on prior outcomes◦ Targets are not limits◦ Aspirational to encourage the best from everyone

Students and teachers share the responsibility

What constitutes Success English and Maths

What will your children study?

English

Awarded two GCSEs by the end of Year 11: GCSE English Language. GCSE English Literature.

Two strands externally assessed: Reading and Writing. Speaking and Listening.

Two tiers of entry: Foundation or Higher Paper.

KS4 English in Summary

Unit 1: Understanding and Producing Non-Fiction Texts 2 hours 15 minutes. 60% of overall GCSE grade.

Unit 3: Controlled Assessment Reading assessment on Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Two pieces of creative, original writing. Spoken Language Study. 40% of overall GCSE grade.

Unit 2: Speaking and Listening Controlled Assessment No longer included as part of the overall GCSE English Language

grade. An endorsement on final GCSE English Language certificate.

Exam ContentGCSE English Language

Unit 1: Exploring Modern Texts Two set texts. 1 hour 30 minutes external examination. 40% of overall GCSE grade.

Unit 2: Poetry Across Time A selection of poems from the AQA Moon on the Tides Anthology. 1 hour fifteen minutes external examination. 35% of overall GCSE grade.

Unit 3: Controlled Assessment Shakespeare and Literary Heritage Comparative Study. 25% of overall GCSE grade.

Exam ContentGCSE English Literature

What will your children study?

Maths

One GCSE awarded at the end of year 11.

Assessment is through two exams◦ 50% Calculator◦ 50% Non-Calculator

All four ‘strands’ of Maths are assessed in each exam◦ Number – Algebra – Shape – Statistics

Students are assessed in each exam in three ways◦ Recall of Mathematical facts (up to 50%)◦ Selection of methods to apply to a context (up to 30%)◦ Problem solving and reasoning mathematically (up to 30%)

KS4 Maths in Summary

The Maths Content Number

◦ Basic Operations◦ Fractions◦ Decimals◦ Percentages◦ Ratio◦ Complex Percentages◦ Standard Index Form◦ Direct and inverse proportion

Algebra◦ Algebraic Expression◦ Solving Equations◦ Plotting Graphs◦ Coordinates◦ Graphical Transformations◦ Quadratic Equations◦ Algebraic Fractions◦ Proof

The Maths Content Shape

◦ Area and Perimeter◦ Measures and Units◦ Transformations◦ Angle Rules◦ Volume◦ Shape Properties◦ Trigonometry◦ Complex volume and area

Statistics◦ Averages and Range◦ Charts and Graphs◦ Data Collection◦ Probability◦ Histograms◦ Conditional Probability◦ Cumulative Frequency

Studying for Success

English

IF YOU READ!YOU WILL

SUCCEED!

Helping your child with English

You can help your child to develop their reading skills by: Encouraging them to read for a short amount of

time every day. Encourage them to read good quality journalism. Read your child’s set texts and discuss them

together. Let your child see you reading. Read together!

Helping your child with English - reading

Helping your child with English – spelling, punctuation and grammar

You can help your child to practise these skills by: Encouraging your child to use a dictionary. Working with your child to check through

work for spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.

If you aren’t sure, look things up together.

Helping your child with English – understanding You can help your child to practise this skill by: Asking your child to describe the main

characters in their books. Talk about the story and the parts the

characters play.

GCSE Study Guide series are available for all titles.

Studying for SuccessEnglish and English Literature

BBC Bitesize. Universal Teacher. Sky Learning. ‘English Biz’. www.gcseresult.co.uk Cherwell online @YouTube. BBC Skillswise. Use the AQA online resources for GCSE

English and English Literature.

Studying for SuccessEnglish – Tap into Technology

Studying for Success

Maths

Maths – Then and Now

◦ The Maths has not changed but the methods look a bit different sometimes.

◦ The most common is multiplication…

Studying for SuccessMaths

Maths – Then and Now Different methods do not mean you can not help.

◦ Spend time working with children on problems.◦ If the methods you use are different compare solutions,

discuss which is more efficient, ask them to explain their methods to you.

◦ Make sure they know the basics – times tables.◦ Encourage them to believe they can do maths.

Studies have shown that students and parents spending time studying together has a positive impact on outcomes.

Studying for SuccessMaths

Studying for SuccessMaths – Have a go!

These are both Past paper questions.

Past exam papers provide essential preparation and should all be completed to the very best of a students ability

Revision Guides

Homework◦ Set each week and will be either a past paper or a question booklet◦ Should be treated throughout as preparation

Help Available◦ Staff run after-school classes◦ Ask parents/carers/grandparents/siblings…◦ Attend holiday revision classes

Know you basics◦ Times tables◦ Number Bonds◦ Basic Formulae◦ Fractions/decimals/Percentages

Studying for SuccessMaths

MathsWatch CD

GCSE Bitesize – BBC

Apps (smartphone)◦ Available free specifically for GCSE or just for general practice◦ Maths Card

MyMaths Website◦ Individual passwords for each student ◦ Tracks progress and gives instant feedback

YouTube tutorial videos

Studying for SuccessMaths – Tap into Technology

Importance of Maths and English

Good grades in all subjects are essential but

◦ Employers more and more want good grades in Maths and English

◦ A minimum standard has been introduced for all students to achieve and they will have to keep studying until 18 to achieve it

◦ This is about more than factual knowledge and is about demonstrating communication skills, problem solving ability and initiative

Grades and opportunities

We will be here to answer any questions now but if you do have any other questions please feel free to contact us directly through the school.

Thank you