Year 12 Parents’ Information Evening

More than good examination results, a thorough preparation for life

Tonight’s aims

For you to leave with a better understanding of:

• Results

• Key Stage 5 Ethos

• The revised Key Stage 5 curriculum

• Target Grades

• Assessment, Recording & Reporting (ARR)

• Desired student behaviours

• Student Support, Care & Guidance

Headlines 2015

Mr Moss

Results overview • Over three-quarters of A Level grades A*-B

• Best ever year across GCSE, AS and A2

• Top 10 comprehensive schools in England for both A Level Daily Telegraph

• 1st in Surrey for attainment

• Over half all entries are in facilitating A Levels: maths, sciences, English, humanities and modern foreign languages

• Almost 9 out of 10 students go on to top ‘red brick’ universities

40

59

52

64

46 47

56

65 62

83

72

81

70 66

75

86

23

35

27

40

22 23

33

38

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Per

cen

tage

Year 12 AS Level Grades

% A-B % A-C % A

70

75

79

60

63

76

88 90

92

85 85

93

41 42

52

28 31

41

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Year 13 A Level Grades

% A*-B % A*-C % A*-A

- - - - - - - - National A*-B

More than just good exam results Real Schools Guide 2015

Best state school in Surrey 25 different measures, including value-added, destinations, attendance, teacher-student ratios

Value Added & Curriculum

Mr Bodell, Deputy Head Curriculum

Exam Analysis GCSE

• Progress

• The best ‘progress’ since records began….

• Well, since 2009 anyway…

Year

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Prog.

1020

1018

1014

1006

1009

1020 1032

Estimated to be in the top

10% nationally

Exam Analysis AS level

Progress

Progress equivalent to the top 2% nationally

Progress equivalent to the top 8% nationally

Exam Analysis A level

Progress

Progress equivalent to the top 7% nationally

Progress equivalent to the top 20% nationally

The Key Stage 5 Ethos

Achievement

Work Ethic

Balance

Securing the future

School

Student Home

Helping students’

realise their

potential Learning

Student Support,

Care & Guidance

The Sixth Form curriculum and assessment • The current Year 12 will be taking ‘new’ and/ or ‘old’ A level

subjects • Old A level subjects are: Design & Technology, Drama, French, Geography, German, Maths, Further Maths, Media, Music, Physical Education, Spanish • Old A level Assessment AS levels taken at the end of Year 12 worth 50% of final grade A2 levels taken at the end of Year 13 worth 50% of final grade In each subject - AS (Year 12) plus A2 (Year 13) = A full A level

School

The Sixth Form curriculum and assessment

• New A level subjects are:

Art & Design, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, English Language & Literature, English Literature, History, Physics & Psychology

• New A level Assessment

AS levels taken at the end of Year 12 are ‘stand alone’ AS levels

A level exams (not A2 exams) taken at the end of Year 13 assess everything from Year 12 and Year 13

In each subject – Year 12 = A stand alone AS level

In each subject – Year 13 = A stand alone A level

School

The Sixth Form curriculum and assessment

• Year 12 students will be on varying assessment pathways

• Student takes all ‘old’ A levels

Eg Drama, Spanish, Geography, Design & Technology

• Assessment

Year 12 – 4 AS levels each worth 50% of the final A level grade

Year 13 – 3 A2 levels each worth 50% of the final A level grade

• Summary

This student ends up with 3 A levels and 1 AS level

School

The Sixth Form curriculum and assessment

• Year 12 students will all be on varying assessment pathways

• Student takes all ‘new’ A levels

Eg Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Economics

• Assessment

Year 12 – 4 ‘stand alone’ AS levels

Year 13 – 3 ‘stand alone’ A levels

• Summary

This student ends up with 4 AS levels and 3 A levels

School

What’s the difference between the ‘new’ and ‘old’ A levels

• AS and A levels are ‘decoupled’

• Assessment is linear so assessment is at the end of the year

• AS examinations are ‘examination’ only

• Some A levels will have non - examination assessment

School

A level assessment

• Why put students through AS level exams in the new A levels when they will be assessed on everything in Year 13?

1. Practice

2. Authentic AS grades will help inform predicted A level grades

3. Alternative – ‘In House’ examinations

4. Universities are still not united on their interpretation of A and AS levels for the ‘new’ A levels

School

What grade

am I

working at?

How do

I know?

What are my

next steps?

The fundamental learning process at Gordon’s

Assessment

events

Clear, specific targets

related to students’ work

School

‘Position’

Statement

AS level Target Grades

School

Year 12 Target Grades

AS

Level

Grades

Average GCSE Grades

D C B A* A

A

B

C

D

Represents

‘average’

student

performance

Represents top

10% student

performance

School Approximately half of Gordon’s

students achieve their target grades

every year

High quality teaching and learning

- Lesson observations, student voice, data analysis

Regular ‘next steps’ advice in lessons

- Tri weekly feedback & half termly ‘Key Assessments’

Department reviews

- Triennial

Work sampling

- Students’ books/ folders audited

School

• Prep/ Self study timings

- Year 12 = Minimum 6 hours/subject/week

- Year 13 = Minimum 8 hours/subject/week

School

Assessment, Recording & Reporting (ARR)

Gordon’s ARR Philosophy

- Little & Often (Every half term)

- Conversation is better than written dialogue

- Teacher’s judgement is valued

School

Effort Grades

1 = Outstanding

2 = Very Good

3 = Good but occasionally inconsistent

4 = Cause for concern

5 = Unacceptable

School

The relationship between progress and effort

Top 20 students for progress in Year 13 (2014/15)

Average effort grade =

Bottom 20 students for progress in Year 13 (2014/15)

Average effort grade =

1.5

2.3

AS Results 2015

Student GCSE Pts AS Target Grades AS Grades

1 6.4 B/C AABC

2 6.3 B/C DEEU

School

GCSE Pts

A* = 8, A = 7, B = 6, C = 5

1.3

2.5

Average Effort Grade

Effort Grades 1 - 5

School

Each half term there is a progress report sent home including: • Target Grade • Working Grade • Effort Grade • Next Steps advice – alternates half termly with Yr 12 & 13

Reporting

Target

Grade

A statistically generated A level grade that

is personal to each student and subject.

Working

Grade

The AS grade that a student is currently

working at.

Effort

Grade

The grade that reflects how hard a student

is working. It is not a reflection of academic

ability or performance.

• There is no ‘magic dust’ at Gordon’s

• Those students who achieve great grades:

- work very hard and are resilient

- have 100% attendance

- do the ‘simple things well’

- prioritise their studies & make sacrifices

- see Sixth Form as their ‘full time job’

- spend the right amount of time on prep.

Student

• Some ‘case studies’

- University places and GCSE results

- Sacrificing part time work

- Sacrificing a hobby

- Making a choice; Easter & anticipate hindsight

• Gordon’s is full of healthy distractions but, given we deliver such an academic Curriculum and students are assessed

predominantly at the end of Year 12, at some point they do become just that.

Student

Sixth Form Agreement

- Designed to support students academically

- Involves a commitment from Gordon’s to our Sixth Form students and vice - versa

School

Gordon’s Sixth Form will provide:

- Guidance time (8.20 – 8.40am)

- AS/A level Target Grades

- Quality teaching & ‘Next Steps’ advice

- Regular reporting

- Facilities & resources

- Work Experience & Career guidance

- Clear communication channels

- Extra Curricula activities

School

Gordon’s Sixth Form students will prioritise:

- Attendance & Punctuality

- 100% at lessons & registration

- Effort

- Average effort grade profile of 2.0 or better

- Achievement

- Meet ‘Next Step’ targets

- At AS achieve no more than 1 grade below TG

- At AS achieve no lower than a grade D

- Volume of subjects

- Follow 4 AS levels

School

Students who meet this criteria will be

‘on track’ to achieve their potential.

Those that fall short of this criteria are in

danger of ‘underachieving’ and extra self

study sessions will be prescribed.

Either period 7 or prep study sessions

Home

• Think of Year 12 as ‘Year 11 who have had a 10 week holiday’

• Check books/ folders for quality of work/marking & organisation

• Regularly discuss school and ‘Next Steps’ advice

• Ensure students prioritise prep & get into good study habits

• Reward/ sanction consistently and regularly (accountability)

• Think ahead to career aspirations including University and/ or employment. www.ucas.co.uk

Mrs Brazendale

Head of Key Stage 5

Developing The Skilled Sixth Former

Sixth Form Team

• Head of Key Stage 5: Rachel Brazendale

• Deputy Head of Key Stage 5: Billy Keates

• Oxbridge and Medical Tutor: Michelle Wright

• Sixth Form Administrator: Grethel Hall

• Sixth Form Registrar: Tina Humphrey

• Graduate Assistant (Academic Enrichment): Tom Beetham

Tutor Team

• Augusta 12/13 Miss Ali

• Balmoral 12/13 Mr Depoix

• Buckingham 12/13 Mr Dunn

• China 12/13 Ms Radford

• Gravesend 12/13 Mr Ellsworth

• Kensington 12/13 Mrs McConville

• Khartoum 12/13 Mr Schofield

• Sandringham 12/13 Mr Harrison

• Windsor 12/13 Mrs Lewis

The School Day • 30 period week + 4 extra

curricular periods

• All students take 4 or 5 AS Levels

• Equivalent to 20 or 25 periods a week

• All students are expected to take 1 extra curricular period per week

• No frees, study periods.

Registration Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Chapel House Meeting

Registration Registration Friday Focus

Friday Focus: • Mixed gender groupings • Sixth Form breakfast • Inter-Form competition • Committee

Role of the Tutors

• Attendance

• Settling Y12 students

• Post 18 progression/UCAS

• Liaising with Head of House

• Admin weeks

• Signing planners

• Mentoring

Enrichment

RECREATION & SPORT IS IMPORTANT

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Options:

a) Duke of Edinburgh Award

b) Extended Project (EPQ)

c) Career-Industry Talks

d) Camel School Magazine

e) Yearbook

f) Chess

g) Latin

h) Debating

i) Presentation skills

j) TEFL Level 2 Qualification, two-day course (by application, free to all Y12)

k) LAMDA lessons free to all Y12 by application for those involved in (h) and (i)

EXAMPLES OF SUBJECT-BASED OPPORTUNITIES

Biology - Olympiad

Physics - Trip to Cern LHC

Music - Menuhin School Composition Workshop

History – Visit to Kew Records Office

German – Work experience with French and German companies

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Options:

a) Duke of Edinburgh Award

b) Extended Project (EPQ)

c) Career-Industry Talks

d) Camel School Magazine

e) Yearbook

f) Chess

g) Latin

h) Debating

i) Presentation skills

j) TEFL Level 2 Qualification, two-day course (by application, free to all Y12)

k) LAMDA lessons free to all Y12 by application for those involved in (h) and (i)

LAMDA

London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

Acting | Public Speaking | Presentation Skills | Speaking Verse & Prose | Devised Drama

Reading for Performance

Gordon’s School

Self – Esteem | Empowerment | Communication | Poise | Conviction | Life Skills

Gordon’s School are very pleased to offer the LAMDA Qualifications for ALL year groups, including a subsidised scheme for Y12 and Y13 students to improve their skills in Public Speaking

and Presentation Skills.

•Levels of achievement widely acknowledged by UCAS and Universities •Supports the creative, intellectual and social development of the individual as a whole

•Offered at the leading public schools in the country Lessons will be run on a rota basis during the school day.

Sixth Form students will have tuition during their study periods. Lessons will be charged at £18 Per lesson. To apply for lessons for your child, please contact

music@gordons.surrey.sch.uk or phone 01276 858084

EPQ • Aims to inspire, enthuse and motivate students by

providing learners with the skills that Higher Education institutions look for through the encouragement of independent study.

• Develop and apply decision-making and problem-solving skills.

• Extend planning, research, critical thinking, synthesis, evaluation and presentation skills.

• Apply skills creatively, demonstrating initiative and enterprise.

• Qualifies for UCAS points • Run by Mr Grace, Head of Business Studies

Open Study One lesson per week

• Designed to extend students’ experience.

• Cooking for university

• Current Affairs

• Body and Soul

• Presentation Skills

Volunteering

• 20 hours per year

Peer teaching

Sports coaching

Running clubs

Working with school partners e.g. Holy Trinity Primary

Charity work

Careers & Higher Education

Year 12 • CV checking service

– deadline for CVs – Friday 11th September

– Workshop for 1:1 feedback from recruitment experts on Thursday 17th September

• Student World “Study Abroad” roadshow: Wednesday 7th October

• Careers Speed Dating (tbc)

• Free Morrisby psychometric test in June

• Work placement – 4th – 8th July 2016 (please attend Work Experience meeting on Wednesday 23rd September from 6-6:45pm)

• Careers interview and Morrisby debrief Sept-Oct 2016

• Career Industry Talks

• University taster days, and other time sensitive information to be communicated through Twitter, and Gordon’s Facebook page – look out for announcements

September-January

September 2015 • Tuesday 15th September – A Career in the Space Industry • Tuesday 29th September - TBC

October 2015 • Tuesday 13th October – A Career in Healthcare November 2015 • Tuesday 10th November – A Career in the Environment and Sustainability Industry • Tuesday 24th November – A Career in the Art and Design Industry December 2015 • Tuesday 8th December – A Career in the Performing Arts Industry

January 2016 • Tuesday 12th January – A Career in the Animal Industry

Careers Industry Talks

Preparation for Higher Education

• Dedicated tutor support

• Dedicated Oxbridge coordinator

• Opportunities for leadership

• Excellent record of students attending top universities

Y12 – Higher Education

Use Unifrog to help narrow down your search

Visit universities, speak to students,

Taster days, taster lectures

Work experience

Parents - Higher Education evening

Students – Higher Education day

Interviews with senior staff Heads of House & private study facilities Assessment Month in September to identify any

concerns & changes New Year: new start, new demands Building new relationships Independent Learning: study skills support Induction in and out of the classroom Planners & contact with home

Y12 - Support In The Transition Period

Student evaluation reveals they are positive and

happy because they enjoy good relationships with staff and other students.

As well as formal calendar meetings the pastoral team operate an open door policy for both students and parents.

We recognise the individual needs of students including the full range of Learning Support needs.

We recognise the stresses of AS Level studies and have an experienced pastoral team including professional counsellors.

The Human Scholar

Important Dates Coming Up This Half-Term Monday 14th September Admin week

Tuesday 15th September Sixth Form Committee/Mentors' meeting

Saturday 19th September Sixth Form Open House

Sunday 20th September Parade

Monday 21st September Senior Prefect Application Week

Friday 25th September Y13 UCAS grades and TG sent home

Monday 28th September Y12 Target grade issued to students this week

Tuesday 29th September Sixth Form Committee

Friday 2nd October School Photographs

Friday 2nd October Pizza and Film Night

Friday 2nd October Y12 assessment month ends (last day for changing subject)

Monday 5th October All UCAS forms to be completed

Tuesday 6th October Inter-House Baking Competition

Tuesday 8th October Sixth Form Committee

Wednesday 7th October Student World Roadshow

Thursday 8th October Sixth Form Open Evening

Wednesday 14th October Y12 Geography Fieldtrip (returns Sunday 18th)

Friday 16th October Y12 Progress report sent home

Friday 16th October Y13 NSA report sent home

Sunday 18th October Parade/Harvest Festival

Monday 19th October Y12 and 13 Learn It Live Music Trip

Tuesday 20th October Inter-House Music Competition

Tuesday 20th October Y13 Biology Fieldtrip

Heads of House, Head of Year, Teachers & Tutors

Elevate: planned programme throughout the year

Intervention: practical strategies to support success

Library Induction & Wider Reading

Extension and Learning Support

Private Study Facilities

Admin Weeks

Clinics & Revision Guides

Outside Speakers & organised events

U-Explore & Uni-Frog

Reward & Celebrate

Support Throughout The Year

• Period 7 • Volunteering Opportunities: 20 hours • Leadership roles • Inter-Form & Inter-House • Extension activities • Careers & Higher Education events • Trips & visits • Work Experience • Evaluation

Pleasure & Purpose

Balance

• Modern ideas Traditional values

• Challenge Support

• Academic Non-academic

• Affability Intensity

Thank you for listening