Weald of KentGCSE Information Evening for Parents

Helping Your Child Achieve

Welcome and Rationale

• Introductions – Miss Vidler, Mrs Collins (Directors of Development Year 11, Year 10)

• Mrs Corp – Senior Director of Development• Heads of Faculty in Mathematics, English

and Science – Mrs Cross, Mrs Barrett, Mr Fidock

• AST in Science – Dr Smith• Sixth form students

Format• General introduction – Mrs Collins• Sixth form students talk about their experiences

of GCSE• Dr Smith – study skills• Mr Fidock – Science in Years 10 and 11• Break into two year groups• Year 11 – Miss Vidler – specific arrangements• Year 10 – Mrs Barrett – controlled assessments,

Mrs Cross Mathematics in Year 10

The Importance of GCSEs

• This is the third GCSE Information Evening for Parents we have held – each year slightly different – but not doubt GCSEs are vitally important

• Indication of future performance• A Level offers will be based on GCSE results• Core subjects vital – English, Mathematics and

Science• Increasingly used by Universities

Our Overall Strategy

• Specialist subject teaching and preparation throughout the GCSE courses

• Started GCSE courses in Year 9 (current Year 10)• Limited number of external examinations in Year 10• Trial exams in Year 10 for rest of subjects• Mock examinations in Year 11• Revision lessons in Year 10 and 11 – some extras at

lunchtimes• Holiday/Easter revision courses

Strategy Continued

-Study support skills sessions in PSHE and on ACT days

-Revision timetable planning in PSHE-Regular interim grade checks – progress against

target (student tracking)-Mentoring by form tutor-Director of Development intervention and

support

Dates for Your Diary

• Individual examination statements of entry – end of February

• Public exams run from 16th May to 30th June• Language orals/Art for Year 11 – April/May• Year 11 public exams start early – 16th May• Year 10 exams – RE 17th May, Core Science on

7th, 15th and 17th June, ICT 16th June• Year 10 trial exams and WEX – end of June/early

July

Practical Information• Ensure your daughter has a revision and an

examination timetable – check the sessions – morning examinations start at 9.00 am and afternoon examinations at 1.30 pm

• Allow plenty of time for the journey – have the School’s number in phones and ring if delayed – 01732 373500

• Please ensure your daughter is correctly dressed

Illness or other issues

• Ring the School immediately if you are unable to attend any examination session – ask for Mrs Kain the Examinations Secretary or Ms Forde the Assistant Headteacher.

• Get a doctor’s letter as soon as possible.• If you are ill and miss a paper the

Examination Boards still may be able to award a grade.

Preparation

• Clear plastic pencil case• Water bottles without labels• Black biros, pencils, ruler, sharpener,

eraser• Compasses, protractor, calculator (non

electronic), set texts• Spare equipment

Not permitted

• Tippex• Pagers, phones, ipods, electronic organisers,

electronic or noisy calculators, dictionaries or electronic translators

• Canned or cartons of drink, chewing gum• Any other food including sweets• Bags• Malpractice is a serious issue

Finally

• There is life beyond GCSEs• The Weald of Kent has a great deal of

collective experience in supporting students (and parents)

• Thousands of students have successfully been through the process!

GCSEs – What to expect and how you

can help

What to expect…

• Extra lifts• Mood swings • Stress• The need to buy extra revision

materials• A few tears

Dealing with stress• Revision timetable• Food• Regular breaks• Keep up hobbies• Rescue Remedy• Breathing techniques

How you can H.E.L.P.P

Helping hand

Encouragement

Listen

Praise

Patience

How Weald will help

• Revision sessions• Extra help at lunchtimes• Reassurance• Support

Exam day

• Early night• Good breakfast• Avoid cramming• Be on time• Water• Preparation

Useful websites• www.s-cool.co.uk• www.bbc.co.uk/school/gcsebitesize• www.getrevising.co.uk/timetable/int

ro• www.samlearning.com

Thank you!

Weald of KentGCSE Information Evening for Parents

Study Skills - D. Smith

Learning Styles and Their Application for Effective Study

Skills

• We do not all learn in the same way• The key to success is finding what works best for you

Learning Styles - V.A.K.A learning style is the way in which an individual learner tries to learn information.

1) Visual - they mainly learn through seeing

2) Auditory - they learn mainly through hearing

3) Kinaesthetic - they learn through doing

Preferred Learning Styles - How Do You Know?

A) Open it up and try to put the item together without reading the instructions?B) Read all of the instructions before you attempt to put the item together?C) Hand the instructions to someone else to read them to you, or read them aloud to yourself?

IKEA Test - If you buy something that you have to assemble when you get it home, do you:

Preferred Learning Styles - How Do You Know?

A) Take it out of the box and fiddle with the pieces before you read any instructions?B) Read all of the instructions before you attempt to press any buttons?C) Ask someone else to read the instructions and explain it to you or read the instructions out to yourself aloud?

Mobile phone test - Similarly with a new mobile phone do you:

V) Enjoy reading books and may appear to day-dream during a session with a lot of verbal activities.A) Usually like discussion in lessons and may tend to whisper when reading.K) Usually tend to remember things that they physically do and may tend to tap their pencil or pen during a lesson.

You may know a student has a preferred learning style by their behaviour. For example:

A visual learner may find it most helpful to:

• Use posters, flash cards, diagrams and charts• Place information, sticky notes and posters,

above eye level around the room• Use coloured pens and paper• Use mind maps and spider diagrams

An auditory learner may find it most helpful to:

• Engage in discussion• Use poems, rhyme, rhythm, rap and jingles• Read passages or questions out loud• Have background music on while studying• Revise best when they are asked questions when studying for an exam

Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain

An kinaesthetic learner may find it most helpful to:

• Build in regular planned physical breaks (20 mins)

• Use brain gym• Get involved in group work and role play• Use cards or sticky notes to make key points, and manoeuvre them about until the content is sequenced correctly• Model making

Model Making

Taking Responsibility…Taking Action

• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey

• Habit 1 - Be Proactive• Realising that our own decisions are the

primary determining factor for effectiveness in our life. Get the job done.

• Habit 2 - Begin with the end in mind• Have goals; have a plan; be ambitious; want

amazing

• Effective people also have an off switch! • They know how to relax, enjoy what they have

in their life and to have fun.

How can Parents Help?1) Designate a space in the house for studying,

free from distractions.2) Show your interest and offer to help - try to

have conversations rather than interrogations.

3) Help to plan a study timetable. 4) Provide materials such as sticky notes, cards,

coloured pens, books etc.5) Encourage them to have suitable breaks.

And Finally…6) Be as stress-free as possible yourself!

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

GCSE Sciences• Mr K Fidock

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

ISA

P3

C2B2

GCSE Science UnitsExternal 75% Internal 25%

B1 C1 P1Core

Additional P2

Separate B3 C3

ISA

ISA ISA ISA

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

ISA

C2B2

GCSE Double Science UnitsExternal 75% Internal 25%

B1 C1 P1Core

Additional P2 ISA

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

B2

GCSE Further Biology UnitsExternal 75% Internal 25%

B1Core

Additional

Separate B3

ISA

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

C2

GCSE Further Chemistry UnitsExternal 75% Internal 25%

C1Core

Additional

Separate C3

ISA

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

P3

GCSE Science UnitsExternal 75% Internal 25%

P1Core

Additional P2

SeparateISA

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

ISA

P3

C2B2

GCSE Science UnitsExternal 75% Internal 25%

B1 C1 P1Core

Additional P2

Separate B3 C3

ISA

ISA ISA ISA

What is an ISA?

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

Investigative Skills Assignment

A three stage piece of class undertake an AQA-designed practical, during which they collect a set of results. They then take an AQA-set test in controlled conditions during normal lesson time, which is marked by their teacher using an AQA mark scheme. Marking of the ISA is moderated by an AQA moderator. The whole assignment, including the test, is expected to take around two or three lessons.

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

The Three-Stage Process Stage 1: Discussion and Trial

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

Stage 2: Practical work

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

Drawing the graph or bar chart

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

Stage 3: the test

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

General points• All work is done under the direct supervision

of the teacher – candidates are not allowed to take work home

• Completed ISAs must never be returned to candidates

• Cash-in and moderation occur at the end of the Key Stage

What can you do parents?

Year 10• Discuss with your daughter’s the option of Further or Double

Science. Having good science qualifications is vital for their future economic well being and shows that your daughter can reach that academic level.

Year 11• Work with your daughter to organise her revision timetable

and ensure that revision is active.• Site to assist: www.aqa.org.uk for access past papers.• To achieve the EBAC you require two good Science GCSE’s.

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights

reserved.

Provides a course in mathematics which is designed to: -consolidate connections between Mathematics

-approach the subject in a purely mathematical manner

Provides a course in mathematics which is designed to: -explore applications of mathematics in real life and every day contexts

-provide an introduction into financial and business applications

Assessment is by examination only there are no course work tasks or controlled assessments

Methods in Mathematics consists of two units.

Each unit is assessed by a written Examination Paper.

Unit 1 Non Calculator1 hour 45mins 100 marksUnit 2 Calculator allowed1 hour 45mins 100 marks

Applications in Mathematics consists of two units.

Each unit is assessed by a written Examination Paper.

Unit 1 Calculator allowed1 hour 45mins 100 marksUnit 2 Calculator allowed1 hour 45mins 100 marks

Methods in Mathematics Unit 1 June 2011

Applications in Mathematics Unit 1 March 2012

Methods in Mathematics Unit 2 June 2012

Applications in Mathematics Unit 2 June 2012