Year 10 Parents InformationEveningMegan Browne, Assistant Head

New GCSE Grades

• 9-1 in majority of GCSE subjects

• Grade 4 = ‘standard pass’

• Grade 5 = ‘strong pass’

• Grade 7 is aligned with a ‘grade A’

Key Dates 2017-18

• Thursday 14th December – Progress Reports

• Monday 22nd January – Friday 2nd February – Year 10 Pre-Public Exams

• Thursday 8th March – Progress Reports

• Thursday 15th March – Parents Evening

• Thursday 12th July – Full Reports

For Year 10 students and their parentsJim EltringhamHead of Science

Rob HoltKS4 Science Co-ordinatorSeparate Sciences

Science at Southam

Emma CallanKS4 Science Co-ordinatorCombined Science

Having the right information is vital

“Hey, wait a minute! This is Grass! We’ve been eating grass!”

This is about:

• Our *NEW* GCSE Courses

• When the exams are

• How we will get you there

Hang on a minute!

Hang on a minute!

• Did you say *NEW* courses?

What the new exams are like

Grades:

1-9

I expect you know about that by now.

The Courses

• AQA Combined Science Trilogy (8464)

• AQA Biology (8461)

• AQA Chemistry (8462)

• AQA Physics (8463)

Your course structure

• 100% Exams - No coursework

• Required practicals completed throughout

• Combined Science covers topics in Biology, Chemistry and Physics

• Separate Science courses cover the same topics as Combined Science but in more detail

That’s nice - but what do we actually do?

• Let’s have a closer look at the topics we will cover

Topics we cover- Biology

• Cell Biology

• Organisation

• Infection and response

• Bioenergetics

• Homeostasis and response

• Inheritance, variation and evolution

• Ecology

Topics we cover- Chemistry

• Atomic structure and the periodic table• Bonding, structure and the properties of matter• Quantitative chemistry• Chemical changes• Energy changes• The rate and extent of chemical change• Organic chemistry• Chemical analysis• Chemistry of the atmosphere• Using resources

Topics we cover- Physics

• Energy

• Electricity

• Particle model of matter

• Atomic structure

• Forces

• Waves

• Magnetism and electromagnetism

• Space physics (Only Separate Science Physics)

Don’t forget the extra maths!

10% of Biology

20% of Chemistry

30% of Physics

There’s also the Physics Equations...

•23 to recall and use.

•Another 12 to know how to use (but not recall).

What about practical work?

What about practical work?

• There is no coursework!

• There are now REQUIRED PRACTICALS – Which you must know about and have completed.

• These are throughout your entire course and could/should turn up in the written exams.

So… Practical work is still really important!

So… Practical work is still really important!

Some practical work yesterday

Your Exams

• 2x Biology Papers

• 2 x Chemistry Papers

• 2 x Physics Papers

• Combined Science - 75 minutes per exam

• Separate Science - 105 minutes per exam

• All examined summer Year 11

Year 11 ???????

‘Please, Mr Eltringham, can we not have some tests before that?’

Of course you can.

You will continue to have end of unit tests throughout Y10.

They will, of course, contain synoptic material.

What’s that?

Material from previous units.

But why?

The real exams at the end of Year 11 are on everything.

‘Hooray! And can we please have some help?’

Oh, go on then.

This lady will dress up as you and take your exam for you.

Not really.

But she co-ordinates revision resources on the Y10 BLOG…

…such as the revision cards.

All your Science teachers will also be happy to help you, obviously. Mrs Jones

So…

...what do we do to get the best out of your child…

So…

...what do we do to get the best out of your child…

...and how can you as parents support this?

Now, 2019 is a long way off…

…and we don’t want to be too late.

How to prepare for exams in Science

• Resources from the AQA website

(including specimen papers and specifications)

• Books and Revision guides

• Revision notes

• (Past exam papers)

• (BBC Bitesize website)

• Revision “cards”, see the Y10 BLOG.

This is notcheating.

Resources we use

Resources we offer

Revision notes (used sensibly)

Past exam papers are still useful...

...but do be careful what you use.

Generally speaking, it’s all good...

...but if you’re not sure, ask.

Revision “cards” on the Y10 BLOG.

Online text book information

The first of many revision questions.

Shall we have a quick look?

(Do YOU know the answer?)

And lastly…

...don’t underestimate the impact parents can make.

Thank you for listening.

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Reformed Mathematics GCSE

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

General Changes• GCSE Mathematics is more demanding for everyone:

– The demand of the content has increased with harder topics being introduced too.

• The pupils will achieve a numerical grade (9-1)

• Students will be following the Edexcel Syllabus

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

The Content• There is roughly a third more content required for GCSE Mathematics

• A lot of content has moved from Higher Tier to Foundation Tier as well as from A-Level to Higher Tier. There has also been the introduction of some new topics.

• A greater focus on problem-solving

• Additional requirements to provide clear mathematical arguments

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Foundation Tier Content

Number25%

Ratio, Proportion &

Rates of Change25%

Algebra20%

Geometry & Measures

15%

Statistics & Probability

15%

“Foundation tier will focus on core mathematical

understanding and skills for all students to master”

This is now a stand-alone area

of content

Number25%

Ratio, Proportion &

Rates of Change25%

Algebra20%

Geometry & Measures

15%

Statistics & Probability

15%

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Content Moved to Foundation• Index laws: zero and negative powers (numeric

and algebraic)

• Standard form

• Compound interest and reverse percentages

• Direct and indirect proportion (numeric and algebraic)

• Expanding double brackets

• Factorise quadratic expressions in the form 𝑥2 +𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

• Solve linear simultaneous equations

• Solve quadratic equations by factorisation

• Plot cubic and reciprocal graphs, recognise quadratic and cubic graphs

• Trigonometric ratios in 2D right-angled triangles

• Fractional scale enlargements in transformations

• Lengths of arcs and areas of sectors of circles

• Mensuration problems

• Vectors (except geometric problems/proofs)

• Density

• Tree Diagrams

Number15%

Ratio, Proportion & Rates of

Change 20%

Algebra30%

Statistics & Probability

15%

Geometry & Measures

20%

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Higher Tier Content

“Higher tier will focus on questions that will stretch the

most able”

Number15%

Ratio, Proportion & Rates of

Change 20%

Algebra30%

Statistics & Probability

15%

Geometry & Measures

20%

Number15%

Ratio, Proportion & Rates of

Change 20%

Algebra30%

Statistics & Probability

15%

Geometry & Measures

20%

This will be tested more than previously

These will be tested less than

previously

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Content Moved to Higher• Expanding triple brackets

• Interpret the reverse process as the ‘inverse function’; interpret the succession of two functions as a ‘composite function’ (using formal function notation)

• Deduce turning points by completing the square

• Calculate or estimate gradients of graphs and areas under graphs, and interpret results in real-life cases (not including calculus)

• Simple geometric progressions including surds, and other sequences

• Deduce expressions to calculate the nth term of quadratic sequences

• Calculate and interpret conditional probabilities through Venn diagrams

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

New content to both tiers• Use inequality notation to specify simple error intervals.

• Identify and interpret roots, intercepts, turning points of quadratic functions graphically; deduce roots algebraically.

• Fibonacci type sequences, quadratic sequences & geometric sequences.

• Relate ratios to linear functions.

• Interpret the gradient of a straight line graph as a rate of change.

• Know the exact values of sin 𝜃 and cos 𝜃 for 𝜃 = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°; know the exact value of tan 𝜃 for 𝜃 = 0°, 30°, 45° and 60°.

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Grades and Tiers

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Higher Tier

Foundation Tier

Overlap

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

The Examinations• The total time for the examinations is increasing from 3½ hours to 4½

hours.

• This is spread out over 3 examinations.

• All exams will be sat at the end of the course.

• No early entry option available for pupils.

• There are fewer marks at the lower grades and more marks at the higher grades for both Foundation and Higher Tiers.

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

The Examinations

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Formulas

• Students will be required to memorise formulas– Fewer formulas will be provided

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Formulas• Formulas provided

9

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Formulas• Formulas removed and will need to be memorised

×

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Assessment and Tracking• At the start of each topic students are given

a summary of its content

• Following each unit of work students will sit a short end of topic test.

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

PPEs (Mock Exams)• Students will sit three papers

– Paper 1 – Non Calculator

– Paper 2 – Calculator

– Paper 3 - Calculator

• 1 hour 30mins each

• Students will be graded on

the 9-1 scale

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Equipment

• Pencil

• Black Pen

• Ruler

• Rubber

• Pair of compasses

• Protractor

• Scientific Calculator (recommended Casio fx series)

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Resources

• Textbooks

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Resources

• Textbooks

• Revision Guides

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Resources

• Textbooks

• Revision Guides

• www.mymaths.co.uk

Login: southamPassword: integer

GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

Resources

• Textbooks

• Revision Guides

• www.mymaths.co.uk

• PiXL Maths App

School id: SM882

jane.durman@gmail.comjane.durman@gmail.com

GCSE English LanguageYear 10 Entry

65

Key Information

• English Language and English Literature are two separate, equally important GCSE qualifications

• English Language assesses reading and writing skills through unseen material

• English Literature assesses reading skills through pre-read texts and some unseen material

• Both qualifications are 100% exam• English Language will be examined at the end of Year 10• English Literature will be examined at the end of Year 11• Both qualifications have 2 exams – so there are 4 exams in total• There are no tiers of entry: all students sit the same exam• English Literature exams are ‘closed text’. i.e. Students will not take

copies of the text into the exam

Split Entry Success at Southam

NATIONAL DATA SOUTHAM COLLEGE SUMMER2017 YEAR 10 RESULTS

68% Grade 4 and above

85% Grade 4 and Above

54% Grade 5 and above

64 % Grade 5 and Above

GCSE English Language

• Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (1 hour 45)

• Section A: Reading (50% of the marks for the paper)• Students read one extract from a creative text – this is likely to

be an extract from a novel• 4 questions• Q1: Retrieval of information (4 marks) • Q2: Analysis of language (8 marks)• Q3: Analysis of structure (8 marks)• Q4: Evaluation (20 marks)

The questions increase in challenge and in marks

GCSE English Language

• Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (40 marks – 16 are for SPAG)

• Section B: Writing (50% of the marks for the paper)

• A choice of questions – either descriptive or narrative

• E.g. A piece of writing inspired by an image such as this:

GCSE English Language

• Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives (1 hour 45)

• Section A: Reading (50% of the marks for the paper)

• Students read two extracts: one modern non-fiction (e.g. a news article) and one pre-1900 literary non-fiction (e.g. travel writing)

• 4 questions

• Q1: True or false (4 marks)

• Q2: Summary of both texts (8 marks)

• Q3: Analysis of language (12 marks)

• Q4: Comparison of views and language (16 marks)

The questions increase in challenge and in marks

• Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives (40 marks – 16 are for SPAG)

• Section B: Writing (50% of the marks for the paper)

• 1 question – writing to argue and persuade

• The question will be based on the reading material

• Students will be given a statement to argue for or against

GCSE English Language

Research Survey Findings…

Pupils who regularly achieve their target grade or higher owe their success to:• Being helped/monitored at home with their home-learning• Handing their home-learning in on time• Having a designated and quiet area to complete their home-learning• Packing their bag the night before by checking their planner• Reading at home/outside of school• Not having games consoles or televisions/laptop computers in their

bedrooms or reducing the time spent on these devices• Having the correct equipment at home• Feeling confident with their written accuracy• Having a wide range of vocabulary• Receiving individual attention to support with their learning

How can you help?

• Encourage wider reading of 20th and 21st Century novels

• Support your son/daughter to include English revision in their revision timetable –purchase a revision guide for them

• Ensure that your son/daughter is completing their home-learning booklet

• Provide opportunities for reading of the news online and in print

• Encourage them to attend revision sessions (advertised on our social media)

• Practise reading texts from the past together e.g. letters or diaries by famous writers such as Charles Dickens, Florence Nightingale, Charles Darwin

• Practise spellings and punctuation by reading their work with them and testing them on spellings and homophones

• Log in to Show My Homework and support students with completing home-learning

• Follow our social media page (Facebook) 73

How can students revise?

Thank you for listening, any questions?Thank you for listening, please contact Amber Burrows or a member of the English department for further information.

burrows.a1@welearn365.com