School
Home
Student
THE CORE CURRICULUM
Subject
GCSE/Course
English Language and Literature
2 GCSE
Mathematics
1 GCSE
Core Science
1 GCSE/BTEC
Religious Studies
1 GCSE
Citizenship Studies
1 GCSE
Physical Education
OPTIONS
Most students with the core and the options
combined study 10 GCSE/BTEC subjects
Key Stage 4 curriculum changes from September 2012.
End-of-course GCSE exams
Since Sept 2012 there have been significant changes to GCSE and BTEC
qualifications.
•These changes include a return to exams taken at the end of the course, and
measures to improve the assessment of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
•As the regulations stand at the moment. Students will still be able to retake a full
GCSE in Maths, English and English language in November of their year 12
• Other retakes will be available only in the summer
•Controlled assessments ( which replaced coursework) are internal assessments
and not part of the exam cycle, so the timing of these will not be affected by the
change.
•Spelling, punctuation and grammar
Marks will be awarded for accurate spelling, punctuation and use of grammar in
GCSE exams that have a sufficient written English element.
BTECs and other vocational courses
At least 20% will be externally assessed.
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT
GCSE Coursework has gone
It has been replaced by controlled
assessment
All work has to be completed at
school under controlled conditions
within a set time limit
The timetable is on the website!
School
Home
Student
HOW CAN YOU ASSIST AT HOME?
• Be aware of the controlled assessment calendar and
when students have these to complete
• Help students to get their files and books organised
• Ensure that everyone in the family knows the
importance of external examinations and that study
rooms are free from disturbance
• Equipping: provide pens, paper, cards, highlighters,
folders, etc.
School
Home
• Offer support and advice
Student
NEGOTIATE
 Periods of time for revision well in advance
of exams especially at Easter
 The most appropriate revision periods during
the day, when distractions are least likely
 Reduce distractions in the revision room
(e.g. TV, radio, and switch off mobile
phones)
ENCOURAGEMENT
Assist students to stick to their homework timetable.
Encourage them to do their best.
5 A-C grades are essential for most 6th forms and colleges.
Offer to test material
Use of revision websites e.g. BBC Bitesize etc
REVISION TIMETABLES
Timetable
 Students need to create time for revision
Keep the sessions short
Set targets to be met for each session
Take regular breaks- every 40 minutes -hour
Ensure time is allocated for:
Repetition and recall
Frequent testing- at different levels of difficulty
Re-testing
www.myrevisionplan.com
DEVELOPING STUDY SKILLS
Its essential students develop good study skills from the outset
CARDS
Can make them out of paper if you want
Or buy a set of cards
Wilkinson, Tesco and WH Smith all sell
these cards
Sometimes called record cards
MAKING THE CARDS
The idea is that you put the things you
must know on the card
1 concept or topic per card
Can design them how you want
Can include colours if you want and
pictures
These are kept and can be used to revise
in a short space of time.
MAKING A MIND MAP
Turn paper Landscape
Put title in the middle
Split into sections
Use different colours for each section
Keep splitting up the sections
Use pictures when needed
Keep viewing the mind map
WHAT WILL WE BE DOING AT SCHOOL?
Tracking of Data
• Grade Gathers of current grades
• Target grades
• Teacher Predictions
• Effort grades
ENGLISH LANGUAGE GCSE – CURRENT POSITION
Modular examinations were removed at the end of
the academic year 2012-13. Students now only
have one chance to gain their qualification
during KS4.
Speaking and listening has been removed and is
no longer part of the overall qualification grade.
This 20% has now been added to the
examination.
The weightings of the qualification is now 40%
controlled assessment and 60% terminal exam .
English is essential in order to progress to most other courses.
IMPORTANT DATES
October English controlled assessment
27 November 2014: Parents Evening
January Citizenship controlled assessment
March grade gather and tutor report
June DT, MFL & science controlled assessment
22 June year 10 exams and full reports
CONTACT
• Mr P Bowles HOY 10 or tutor
p.bowles@overtongrange.sutton.sch.
uk