Welcome to our Parent Forum
The new exam system – what it
means for your child’s future*.
Steve Bizley - Headteacher
Dom Ward – Deputy Headteacher
*As of 25th March 2015!
E
Q
U
I
P
M
E
N
T
Current progress
measure
5+ A*- G
5+ A*- C
5+ A*- C
inc. Eng
5+ A*- C
inc. ma
5+ A*- C
inc. Eng
& ma
C+ Eng
C+ Eng
& ma
C+ ma
New measures of ‘success’ from
2016
• Progress 8
• Attainment 8
• The percentage achieving C+ in English and
maths; and progress in each
• The percentage achieving C+ in the English
Baccalaureate subjects:
o Geography
o History
o Science/Computer Science
o Languages
Curriculum Timeframe as of March 2015
7
8
9
10
11
2014-15
New 1st
stage English
& Maths
GCSEs begin
2015-16
New 2nd stage
GCSEs begin Sciences;
Hums;
Languages
etc.
Summer 2016
– new
Progress 8
Accountability
measures
2016-17
New 3rd stage
GCSEs begin
–Design &
Technology
New 1st stage
English &
Maths GCSE
exams
2017-18
New 2nd
stage GCSE
exams
2018-19
New 3rd stage
GCSE exams
12
13
Examination & Qualification Reform
• 2016 Currently Yr10: Reformed ‘harder’
GCSEs. You will be judged on best 8 subjects
(not 5) – so every subject is important
• 2017 Currently Yr9: Judged on best 8 –
including reformed English Language,
Literature and maths (Mix of grades/numbers)
• 2018 Currently Yr 7/8: Judged best 8 –
including new GCSEs in majority of subjects
• All subjects being adjusted / reformed – examples of English
and maths
• Major reform to 6th form
(if in Yr 9)
English language
• SP&G increasing from 12 to 20 per cent
Candidates should
• Write effectively and coherently using Standard
English
• Use grammar correctly and ensure written work
features accurate spelling and punctuation
• Read a range of literature from the 19th, 20th and
21st centuries in preparation for an “unseen” text
exam
• Familiarise themselves with non-fiction and other
writing such as essays, reviews and journalism (print
and online)
English literature
•At least one Shakespeare play, a 19th century
novel, Romantic poetry and contemporary
British fiction from 1914 onwards.
•Exam will also test “unseen texts” to encourage
wider reading
•Exam syllabuses –applying to schools in
England –will include “no fewer than 15 poems
by at least five different poets” and ensure that
children cover a minimum of 300 lines.
Maths GCSE
•From 2015, significantly (c.1/3) more content
•Candidates to master essential concepts in greater depth.
Syllabus includes a new section on ratio, proportion and
rates of change, as well as requirement to learn key
formulae by heart for terminal exam
•The syllabus will place a greater focus on “real world
problems”, including financial mathematics.
•greater challenge for the most able by thoroughly testing
their understanding of the mathematical knowledge
needed for higher level study and careers in mathematics,
the sciences and computing.
•More content, plus double weighting in measures, will
drive increased curriculum time allocated to maths
Qualification Grade changes
A* - G
(A* - C – ‘good pass)
9 – 1 (4 equivalent of a C but 5
may well become the preferred
threshold)
If Year 9 & 10 or lower years
Education reform and KS4
Accountability measures from summer 2016
•pupils’ progress across 8 subjects. So, it is likely
that an employer/college will begin to look at
the best 8 subject passes
•pupils achieving a ‘C’ grade in English and
maths remains important
• other subjects now become important - pupils
gaining the ‘Ebacc’
• Pupils’ progress and attainment will be assessed in 8 subjects:
• English (the best of English Lang. and English Lit.) and maths will be
double weighted to reflect the importance of these subjects.
• 3 further EBacc subjects.
• 3 other ‘high-value’ qualifications. This final group can include further
traditional academic subjects, subjects such as art, music and drama,
and vocational subjects, such as business., as well as the second best
score of English Literature and English Language.
Blast from the Past!
The EBacc (English Baccalaureate)
• English
• Mathematics
• Sciences (physics, biology, chemistry and
computer science –introduced at GHS this
September)
• Geography
• History
• Languages (classical and modern).
The Learning Journey
Helping your child to
succeed
5 ‘Quick wins’
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Quiet space to work
Home learning
Revision: little and often
Structure – sleep
Talk about learning