Year 11 Parents’ Information Evening Supporting progress and success in Maths and English
Jan 06, 2018
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