10 Steps to the Stars
Guidance and Diagnosis
GCSE French
by
Felicity Corcoran, Ismérie Glandy, Julia
O’Brien
Commissioned by The PiXL Club Ltd.
January 2014
© Copyright The PiXL Club Ltd, 2014
Plan for 10 Steps to the Stars A* French Intervention
Diagnosis:
Students identified as having the potential to achieve an A* should complete the following
diagnostic assessments at the start of the intervention:
1 x past Higher Reading Paper
1x past Higher Listening Paper
1-2 Practice Speaking Questions on a topic they are currently working on – can be recorded using
Voki/MP3 recorder
Timed Written Task: Students produce a written response to 1-2 key questions on a topic they are
currently working on.
Teachers should use the results of the pretest to complete the covey scoreboard with 3 if students
are secure in that skill, 2 if students are insecure in that skill and 1 if students have demonstrated no
knowledge of that skill. The covey scoreboard should be updated during the intervention as students
make progress and after the final assessments.
Therapy:
Teachers work through the therapy resources for each step with students as part of a targeted A*
intervention programme so that students are given opportunities to improve and develop the 10
skills identified as being essential to achieving an A*. Students should ideally keep a record of the
work they are doing to improve and develop these 10 skills.
Testing:
To evaluate the impact of the intervention students will need to be tested again once the therapy
has been completed using the testing materials for each step and ideally the same combination of
assessments used at the start of the intervention:
1 x past Higher Reading Paper
1x past Higher Listening Paper
1-2 Practice Speaking Questions – can be recorded using Voci/MP3 recorder
Timed Written Task: Students produce a written response to 1-2 key questions on a topic they are
currently working on.
Marks should then be compared to those from the initial diagnostic assessments. You may find it
helpful for students to peer mark the speaking or written tasks using aspects
Students will need to use the A Star Grammar and student checklist resource to complete some of
the therapy activities, these can also be found on huddle, in the A* French folder.
GUIDANCE and RESOURCES FOR
STUDENTS AIMING TO ACHIEVE an A*
IN GCSE FRENCH
General Guidance for Students

Examination board past papers
Familiarise yourself with the format of past examination papers so that you know what style
of questions you can expect when it comes to your final exam. You will also be able to find
mark schemes here, so that you can see how an examiner would have marked your paper
had this been your final examination. Remember that sometimes exam boards change the
format of their papers and you need to be aware of how you will be assessed. If you are in
doubt about the format of any of your examinations ask your teacher for clarification.
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/french/gcse/french-4655/past-papers-and-mark-schemes
AQA past papers and mark schemes.
http://www.edexcel.com/i-am-a/student/Pages/pastpapers.aspx
Edexcel past papers and mark schemes.
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-french-j730-j030-j130-from-2009/
OCR past papers and mark schemes.
http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?subject=57&level=7&list=paper
WJEC past papers and mark schemes.
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/igcse/subject?assdef_id=857
Cambridge IGCE papers and mark schemes.

Vocabulary
Understanding and using as wide a range of vocabulary as possible is essential if you are to
achieve an A* grade, all of the exam boards produce general and higher vocabulary lists
which are available on their websites. Students should spend time individually or in groups
working through these lists and looking up any unknown words. It is recommended that
students get into the habit of noting down any new vocabulary they come across,
particularly when using authentic reading and listening materials.

Websites designed to help GCSE French students
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/french
The GCSE Bitesize website has a section for higher level students. The website provides help
and advice for obtaining the highest grade and has mock questions and feedback.
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/french/school
This website has French GCSE materials set out to facilitate revision.
http://www.sunderlandschools.org/mfl-sunderland/resources-fr-ks4-wks.htm
The MFL Sunderland website has a variety of resources to help you to practise for the GCSE
French examinations.
http://languagesresources.co.uk/FrenchIndex.html
The Language Resources website contains materials listed by subject area. Each resource has
a note in the right-hand column advising of its suitability by Key Stage.
http://www.gcse.com/french/reading.htm
This site provides practical advice for the GCSE French reading exam.
http://zut.languageskills.co.uk/intermediate/year10.html
There are free resources here available after 4pm every day. If you want to use this site
during the day there is a subscription fee to pay.
http://www.wildfrench.co.uk/GCSERevision.htm
This Wild French website has some useful materials for GCSE revision. The ‘Topic-Based
Revision’ section is particularly helpful.