Dear ParentsCarers It is important for your child

Dear Parents/Carers, It is important for your child to speak to their subject teachers who will be able to share the details of any deadlines which have currently been set. Some examination dates are flexible and will be communicated to parents via students as soon as they have been confirmed. Thank you.

Year 10 Information Evening Welcome

The Purpose of this evening • To understand the expectations of GCSE study especially the core subjects of Maths, English and Science • To meet some key people in KS 4 Educating today’s young people for the world of tomorrow.

Who is here tonight? • • • Deputy Head KS 4 – Mrs C A Butler Head of Year – Miss L Bermingham KS 4 Maths - Miss G Winfield KS 4 English – Mrs S Parslow; Head of English – Mrs Rolls Head of Science – Mrs E Sarris

Details English Attendance Maths e. Bac Subjects English Biolog Chemi Phys Scien Maths Lang Lit. . . s. . . ics c. . . 84. 8 2 2 1 G 100 6 5 3 E 83. 8 3 3 3 E 100 9 7 5 A 86. 1 5 5 6 B 100 6 7 8 A* A A

The Downs School English Department AQA GCSE English Language Examinations Students will receive two separate GCSEs in English: English Language and English Literature English Language Paper 1 - Fiction and Imaginative Writing (1 h 45 mins) Paper 2 - Non-Fiction and Transactional Writing (1 h 45 mins) Spoken Language Endorsement (presentation in school) Paper 1 Fiction and Imaginative Writing Section A- Reading: questions on an unseen fiction extract Section B- Writing: a choice of two writing tasks. The tasks are linked by a theme to Section A. (descriptive or narrative writing) 80 marks available= 50% of GCSE 0%* Paper 2 Non-Fiction and Transactional Writing Section A- Reading: questions on two thematically linked, unseen non-fiction texts Section B- Writing: a choice of two writing tasks. The tasks are linked by a theme to Section A. (writing to present a viewpoint) 80 marks available= 50% of GCSE

The Downs School English Department AQA GCSE English Literature Examinations Students will receive two separate GCSEs in English: English Language and English Literature Paper 1 - Shakespeare and 19 TH Century Novel (1 h 45 mins) Paper 2 - Modern Texts and Poetry (2 h 15 mins) Paper 1 Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature Section A- Shakespeare: a two-part question, with the first task focused on an extract. The second task is focused on how a theme reflected in the extract is explored elsewhere in the play. Section B- 19 th Century Novel: a two-part question, with the first part focussed on an extract of approximately 400 words. The second part is an essay question exploring the whole text. Paper 2 40% of GCSE 60% of GCSE 19 th Century Novel and Poetry since 1789 Section A- Post-1914 British play or novel: One essay question. Section B- Poetry: Students compare a named poem from the AQA Poetry Anthology collection with another poem from the collection. Section C- Unseen Poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem. 64 marks available= 40% of GCSE 96 marks available= 60% of GCSE Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are closed book (no texts are allowed in the examination)

New AQA 2018 GCSE Science Trilogy and Separate: Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Two options: Single Science and Trilogy • Three separate grades are awarded. • Combined GCSE is a double award, you will be awarded two grades. • A grading scale with 17 possibilities will be used. 9 -9 9 -8 8 -7 7 -6 6 -5 5 -4 4 -3 3 -2 2 -1 1 -1

How is this course different? • No coursework • No GCSE exams at the end of year 10 • Two year course not two one year courses • No mixed tiers on the combined course

Required Practical's Instead of coursework students will have to carry out and remember core practical's in each area of science. 15% of exam- 10 investigations for each single science and 21 for trilogy Biology – Microscopy, Microbiology, Osmosis, Enzymes, Food Tests, Photosynthesis, Reaction time, Germination, Field investigations, Decay. Chemistry - Making salts, Neutralisation, Electrolysis, Temperature changes, Rates of reaction, Chromatography, Identifying ions, Water purification. Physics - Specific heat capacity, Thermal insulation, Resistance, I-V characteristics, Density, Light, Force and Extension, Acceleration, Waves, Radiation and absorption

Working scientifically WS 1. Development of scientific thinking. 2. Experimental skills and strategies. 3. Analysis and Evaluation. 4. Scientific vocabulary, quantities, units, symbols and nomenclature. “ If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulder of giants. ” Sir Isaac Newton 1642 -1727

Assessment – only exams now Paper 1 Paper 2 Biology Topics 1 – 4 Chemistry Topics 1 – 5 (aka 8 -12) Topics 5 - 7 Topics 6 – 10 (aka 13 -17) 5 -7 (aka 22 -24) Number of papers per qualification Questions Length of papers Marks per paper Physics Topics 1 -4 (aka 18 -21) (+8 Physics only) Trilogy 6 Separate Science 2 Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response 1 hour and 15 mins 1 hour and 45 mins 70 100

How are you assessed in class? • End of term tests and classroom assessments using exam style questions • WTM • Practical assessments in class

Science in year 9 • Students have been studying the content since year 9 so they must be reviewing their learning regularly. • In year 9 all students have already learned, cells, Digestion, Organisation, non-communicable diseases, Atom, the periodic table, chemical changes, energy, generating electricity, heat, forces, motion

End of term 5 assessment and feedback Year 10 Combined Science Road Map Term 6 B 11 - Hormonal co-ordination C 8 - rates and equilibrium Term 3 B 2 - cell division B 6 - preventing and treating diseases B 7 - non communicable diseases P 6 - molecules and matter C 7 - Energy Changes TERM 1 B 5 - Communicable diseases P 1 - Conservation and dissipation of energy Consolidation from year 9 End of term 1 assessment with feedback Term 2 End of term 2 assessment and feedback C 3 - Structures and Bonding C 4 - Chemical Changes P 4 - electrical circuits P 5 - Electricity at home Term 4 B 8 - photosynthesis B 9 - respiration B 10 - the human nervous system End of term 3 assessment and feedback Term 5 P 7 - radioactivity C 6 - Electrolysis End of term 4 assessment and feedback End of term 5 assessment and feedback

Year 11 Information Evening Welcome

The Purpose of this evening • To understand what has been done and what is to come of your child's GCSE exam (Maths, English and Science) • To meet some key people in KS 4 • Passport to success – what is it? • Key dates and information from HOY and subjects Educating today’s young people for the world of tomorrow.

Who is here tonight? • • • Deputy Head KS 4 – Mrs C A Butler Head of Year – Mr A Dunne KS 4 Maths - Miss G Winfield KS 4 English – Mrs S Parslow, Head of English – Mrs Rolls Head of Science – Mrs E Sarris

Passport to Success: Form of challenge for all students to achieve a select number of points 150 points entered into a prize draw Mandatory point catch up if failure to get involved. Leadership opportunity taken 4 4 4 4 4 X 40 + house points No behaviour points 3 5 3 5 3 5 0 to -10 behaviour points 4 4 4 4 4 Prefect duties Parents evening helper 2 3 2 3 2 3 Parent tours 3 3 3 3 3 Review, remember, revise session lunch time Review, remember, revise session after school 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 Extra-curricular activity in school 3 3 3 3 3 Extra-curricular house events 3 3 3 3 3 Careers action plan on grofar 3 3 3 3 3 Next steps on unifrog 3 3 3 3 3 Attendance 95% - 100% 5 5 5 5 5 Other 2 2 2 2 2

New AQA 2018 GCSE Science Trilogy and Separate: Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Two options: Single Science and Trilogy • Three separate grades are awarded. • Combined GCSE is a double award, you will be awarded two grades. • A grading scale with 17 possibilities will be used. 9 -9 9 -8 8 -7 7 -6 6 -5 5 -4 4 -3 3 -2 2 -1 1 -1

How is this course different? • No coursework • No GCSE exams at the end of year 10 • Two year course not two one year courses • No mixed tiers on the combined course

Required Practical's Instead of coursework students will have to carry out and remember core practical's in each area of science. 15% of exam- 10 investigations for each single science and 21 for trilogy Biology – Microscopy, Microbiology, Osmosis, Enzymes, Food Tests, Photosynthesis, Reaction time, Germination, Field investigations, Decay. Chemistry - Making salts, Neutralisation, Electrolysis, Temperature changes, Rates of reaction, Chromatography, Identifying ions, Water purification. Physics - Specific heat capacity, Thermal insulation, Resistance, I-V characteristics, Density, Light, Force and Extension, Acceleration, Waves, Radiation and absorption

Working scientifically WS 1. Development of scientific thinking. 2. Experimental skills and strategies. 3. Analysis and Evaluation. 4. Scientific vocabulary, quantities, units, symbols and nomenclature. “ If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulder of giants. ” Sir Isaac Newton 1642 -1727

Assessment – only exams now Paper 1 Paper 2 Biology Topics 1 – 4 Chemistry Topics 1 – 5 (aka 8 -12) Topics 5 - 7 Topics 6 – 10 (aka 13 -17) 5 -7 (aka 22 -24) (+8 Physics only) Trilogy Number of papers per qualification Questions Physics Topics 1 -4 (aka 18 -21) 6 Separate Science 2 Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response Length of papers 1 hour and 15 mins 1 hour and 45 mins Marks per paper 70 100

How are you assessed in class? • End of term tests and classroom assessments using exam style questions • WTM • Practical assessments in class

Science in year 9 • Students have been studying the content since year 9 so they must be reviewing their learning regularly. • In year 9 all students have already learned, cells, Digestion, Organisation, non-communicable diseases, Atom, the periodic table, chemical changes, energy, generating electricity, heat, forces, motion

Year 10 Combined Science Road Map Term 6 B 11 - Hormonal co-ordination C 8 - rates and equilibrium Term 3 B 2 - cell division B 6 - preventing and treating diseases B 7 - non communicable diseases P 6 - molecules and matter C 7 - Energy Changes TERM 1 B 5 - Communicable diseases P 1 - Conservation and dissipation of energy Consolidation from year 9 End of term 1 assessment with feedback Term 2 End of term 2 assessment and feedback C 3 - Structures and Bonding C 4 - Chemical Changes P 4 - electrical circuits P 5 - Electricity at home Term 4 B 8 - photosynthesis B 9 - respiration B 10 - the human nervous system End of term 3 assessment and feedback End of term 5 assessment and feedback Term 5 P 7 - radioactivity C 6 - Electrolysis End of term 4 assessment and feedback End of term 5 assessment and feedback

Year 11 Combined Science Road Map Term 4 Term 3 Term 2 TERM 1 B 13 - Reproduction B 14 - variation and evolution P 8 -Forces P 9 -motion End of term 1 assessment with feedback B 17 - organising an ecosystem , C 13 -the earths atmosphere, P 1 Force and motion, P 12 wave properties P 13 electromagnetic waves B 15 -Genetics & Evolution, B 16 adaptations, interdependence and competition C 9 -crude oil and fuels C 12 chemical analysis End of term 2 assessment and feedback Exams Term 5 P 15 Revision electromagnestisim C 14 -the earth’s resources B 18 - End of term 4 biodiversity and assessment and ecosystems End of term 3 assessment and feedback

The Downs School English Department Edexcel GCSE English Examinations English Language Students will receive two separate GCSEs in English: English Language and English Literature Paper 1 - Fiction and Imaginative Writing (1 h 45 mins) Paper 2 - Non-Fiction and Transactional Writing (2 h) Spoken Language Endorsement (presentation in school) Paper 1 Fiction and Imaginative Writing Section A- Reading: questions on an unseen 19 th century fiction extract Section B- Writing: a choice of two writing tasks. The tasks are linked by a theme to Section A. 64 marks available= 40% of GCSE 60% of GCSE 0%* Paper 2 Non-Fiction and Transactional Writing Section A- Reading: questions on two thematically linked, unseen non-fiction texts Section B- Writing: a choice of two writing tasks. The tasks are linked by a theme to Section A. 96 marks available= 60% of GCSE

The Downs School English Department Edexcel GCSE English Examinations Students will receive two separate GCSEs in English: English Language and English Literature Paper 1 - Shakespeare and Post 1914 Literature (1 h 45 mins) Paper 2 - 19 th Century Novel and Poetry since 1789 (2 h 15 mins) 50% of GCSE Paper 1 Paper 2 Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature Section A- Shakespeare: a two-part question, with the first task focused on an extract of approximately 30 lines. The second task is focused on how a theme reflected in the extract is explored elsewhere in the play. 19 th Century Novel and Poetry since 1789 Section A- 19 th Century Novel: a two part questions, with the first part focussed on an extract of approximately 400 words. The second part is an essay question exploring the whole text. Section B- Post-1914 British play or novel: One essay question. Section B- Poetry: Part 1 compares a named poem from the Pearson Poetry Anthology collection with another poem from that collection. Part 2 is one question comparing two unseen contemporary poems. 80 marks available= 50% of GCSE Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are closed book (no texts are allowed in the examination)

Mathematics Key Exam Information Our Exam Board is AQA Students will sit three papers, 2 Calculator and a Non-Calculator Paper Each paper will last 1 hour 30 minutes, and is worth 80 marks [roughly a mark a minute!]

Success requires a team effort student teacher parents others

Class Exam Analysis

Individual Exam Analysis Which questions does this student need to revise? How can they revise these questions effectively? B

Targeted Revision: Mathed. Up ‘Mathed. Up’ is an excellent online resource for targeting specific topics as part of revision. For every topic, there are: Questions, Answers, an explanatory Video and a Quiz.

Revision Resources: Key Facts We have produced ‘Key Facts Lists’ for both tiers (on TDS). Students need to be able to recall these facts accurately and quickly in an exam. Spot-testing their knowledge regularly would be an excellent strategy at home.

Revision Resources: Corbett Maths ‘ 5 -a-day’, an excellent, brief and general revision activity. ‘Practice Questions’, extensive practice of every topic in the Higher and Foundation syllabus. ‘Practice Papers’, a set of Mocks for students to revise with at home.

Revision Resources: Videos We would recommend the videos from Mathed. Up!, Corbett Maths or GCSE Bitesize. When revising a video, it is essential that students pause, make notes, and try the questions in advance of watching the solutions.