Introduction to KS4 at
Highgate Wood School
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What do we need / what can we
expect from students, the school
and parents?
Advice to parents
Timeline
Q&A
National Context
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GCSEs are getting more difficult
and the goal posts are changing
This puts stress on students
teachers and parents
The government want fewer high
level grades
The only answer to this is to work
harder and work smarter
Latest Results
Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
5A*-C EM
68%
72%
68%
68%
The last two years results across
the country have decreased
Results Needed for Sixth Form
Art – Grade B in Art with C in Eng Mathematics – A at Maths
Language
Biology – B at Biology or A from
additional science - B in Maths
Media Studies – B at English
Language or a C in English with a C+
in Media Studies.
BTEC Business Studies as a
single, double or triple award – 4
Cs at GCSE including at least a D
in English Language.
Chemistry - B at Chemistry or A
from additional science - B in
Maths
Music Technology – C at Music with
the ability to read music
Drama – B in Drama and C in
English Language
BTEC Sport – C GCSE PE with C in
English and an interest in Sport
Results Needed for Sixth Form
Economics – B in Maths and C in
English Language
Photography – B in Art and C in
English Language. For those who did
not take GCSE Art a Portfolio can be
submitted in July to gain entry
English Language – B in English
Language
Philosophy – B at GCSE English
Language with an average GCSE
point score of 6 or over
English Literature – B in English
Literature and Language - plus
reading for pleasure
Physics - B at Physics or A from
additional science - B in Maths
Further Maths – A* at GCSE
Maths
Psychology – B grade at English
Language and a B at Maths
Government and Politics – B in
English Language
Results Needed for Sixth Form
Geography – B in Geography and
C in English Language
Sociology – B grade at GCSE English
Language
History – B in History and B in
English Language
Spanish - B at Spanish – native
speakers do not need to have taken
GCSE
ICT – 4 Cs at GCSE with at least a Textiles – B grade at Textiles or a B
D in English Language
at Art with a subject interview
GCSE Maths for those without a
C+
GCSE English for those without a
C+
Timeline
Date
WB 13th Oct
WB 15th Dec
24th Feb
WB 23rd Mar
12th, 14th,
20th May
WB 15th Jun
Event
Year 10 concerns screen
Progress check
Year 10 parent’s evening
Progress check
Science GCSE exams for
year 10 (core science)
Year 10 exams start
Timeline
Date
WB 13th Jul
WB 13th Jul
Dec 2015
Jan 2016
Mar 2016
May 2016
Event
Progress check
SLT meeting underachievers
Year 11 Mocks 1
Year 11 Parent’s evening
Year 11 Mocks 2
GCSEs start
Homework and Private Study
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Homework will be set regularly following
the homework timetable
Homework will be assessed in a variety of
ways
If your child says they don’t have
homework this is likely to be incorrect –
ask to see it if they say it is done, contact
the teacher if they say it is not set
Homework and Private Study
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If the homework is not understood
this is a good thing – students must
not give up. Ask for help before the
due date.
Tests are all very important. By doing
well on them your child will do well in
the year 10 exams / GCSE and better
in the year 11 mocks and even better
still at GCSE.
Who to go to with concerns
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Any concerns that can’t be addressed
by the teacher…
Contact the Head of Department if the
matter is specific to a subject
Contact your child’s tutor if your
concern is more general
Communication between home and
school is vital. It needs to be just
right – not too much and not too little.
How to Revise
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Regularly
30 minute blocks (5 minutes going over
the previous work in that subject, 20
minutes revising new material, 5
minutes reviewing the 20 minutes)
A 5 minute break after the 30 minutes
After two revision sessions at least a 15
minute break after another two sessions
a good one hour break
Build in relaxation with friends & family
Excuses and Answers
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10 ways to avoid revision
Excuses and Answers
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10 ways to avoid revision
E: I do better if I don’t revise
A: That is never true!
E: I revised at school / my friend’s place
A: Excellent, show me your revision
notes. After dinner you can do some
more!
Excuses and Answers
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E: I can learn by reading my text book
A: This is never true. Revision must
be active and always produces
paperwork
Top ten tips
What are Controlled Assessments
and when are they?
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Most subjects have controlled
assessments
They are internally assessed and have
replaced coursework
They take place throughout the next
year and a half depending on subject
and teacher
They take place in school and so they
do not cause bottlenecks of work
Attendance above 95%...
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…means that no grades should be
reduced due to absence
90% attendance (one day off per
fortnight) will mean every GCSE is one
grade lower than it should be
92/93% - on average half of your
child’s GCSEs will be a grade lower
than they should be
Additional Support in Year 10
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In year 10 we use the concerns screen
in October and the termly data to
support students who are
underachieving by:
Monitoring & report by tutors
House teams putting in place an
individualised program
Additional Support in Year 11
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Students who are underachieving
(especially in English and Maths) are
supported by the ‘Aspire and Achieve’
Programme. Each students:
Has a staff mentor
Has a 6th form tutor
Has a bespoke set of interventions
specific to their needs
Final Thoughts
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Keep your child focussed on their
success at school
Support us in supporting your child
Regularly speak to your child about
their education
Rewards and sanctions at home to
support good grades attendance and
conduct really do help
Questions?