Key Stage 4 Transition Evening
2015
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
• 8, 9, 10 or 11 GCSE qualifications
• Modular Courses 
• Linear Courses 
• Controlled Assessment – subject specific skills
including practical experiments, extended projects
and written tasks.
• BTEC – continuous assessment
Tracking Progress
• Target Setting
• Progress Information
• Written Report
Target Setting – Year 10 2015-2016
English and Mathematics
Old GCSE grades (G to A*)  New GCSE grades (1 to 9)
Old GCSE
grade
G
C
A
Equivalent New
GCSE grade
1
4
7
Target Setting – Year 10 2015-2016
All other subjects
EOKS2
(Average E & M level)
Minimum
GCSE Target
Aspirational
GCSE Target
3
D
C
4
C
B
5c
5b & 5a
B
A
A
A*
Target Setting – Year 10 2015-2016
English and Mathematics
EOKS2
(E or M level)
Minimum
GCSE Target
Aspirational
GCSE Target
Below 3
3
4c & 4b
4a
5c
5b
5a
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Year 10 – Key Information
•
•
•
•
•
Progress Information – 5 during the year
Careers Convention – November 2015
Consultation Evening – February 2016
Mock Exams – March 2016 (+ December 2015??)
Written Report – May 2016
GCSE Mathematics 2015 onwards
Two tiers of entry
Higher Tier
• Designed for students aiming to study mathematics
post 16
• Assesses grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
• Grade 9 covers areas of maths currently taught at
AS level
• 50% of questions at grade 7, 8, 9
GCSE Mathematics 2015 onwards
Two tiers of entry
Foundation Tier
• Designed to assess all students in the basics of
mathematics whilst stretching those students beyond the
current grade C in Algebra, Geometry and Statistics
• Assesses grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
• Grade 5 covers approximately ⅔ of the current grade B
topics
• 50% of questions at grade 4,5
GCSE Mathematics 2015 onwards
Current
2015 onwards
3 x 1 hour lessons each week
4 x 1 hour lessons each week
1 x 40-45 minute homework
2 x 30 minute homework
1 maths teacher in Yr 10
2 maths teachers in Yr 10
1 maths teacher in Yr 11
1 or 2 maths teachers in Yr 11
Grades G  A* taught
Grades 1  9 taught
Exam time = 3hours 30 minutes Exam time = 4 hours 30 minutes
GCSE Mathematics 2015 onwards
Internal exams
External exams
December Year 10
1 x 1½ hour exam
March Year 10
2 x 1½ hour exams
December Year 11
2 x 1½ hour exams
March Year 11
1 x 1½ hour exam
June Year 11
3 x 1½ hour exams
Follow us on Twitter:
@saintaidansmath
"English is the most important
tool you’ll ever need, no matter
what career you choose.”
Benjamin Zephaniah
Poet, Writer, Actor
What do we assess in English?
•A student’s ability to read
•A student’s ability to write
Total exam time =
7 ½ hours
GCSE English Language
100%
examination
GCSE English Language
Paper 1 1 hour 45 minutes
– assessing reading and writing
Paper 2 1 hour 45 minutes
– assessing reading and writing
GCSE English Literature
100%
examination
GCSE English Literature
Paper 1 1 hour 45 minutes
Section A One Shakespeare play
Section B One 19th century novel
GCSE English Literature
Paper 2 2 hours 15 minutes
Section A
Section B
Section C
A modern text, prose/drama
Prepared anthology poetry
Unseen poetry
‘Studies also show that reading a
variety of literature independently
by the age of 15 is the single
biggest indicator of future success.’
NB: It is important that the students have
their own copies of the texts, they are
going to study for English Literature, to
support their study at home. Their
English teacher will inform them of the
specific texts they will be studying at the
beginning of Year 10.
Form Tutor
Head of Year
It’s important to get the balance
right!
This is Harry…
► He is in Year 11.
► His attendance in
Years 7 – 10 was 90%.
► Is this good?
► What does it mean?
Harry thinks it is pretty good, so do his
parents. Are they right?
90% = ½ a day missed every week
80% = 1 day missed every week
IT IS A PROVEN FACT THAT ATTENDANCE
BELOW 90% LEADS TO POORER
GRADES AT GCSE
1 school year at 90% attendance = 4 WEEKS of lessons
MISSED!!
90% attendance over 5 years = 20 weeks or ½ a school year
MISSED!
90% attendance means he is a PERSISTENT ABSENTEE
► Harry is really disadvantaging himself when it comes to
getting a good job later in life.
► Colleges DO NOT have to offer you a place if your
attendance is poor.
Descriptor
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Cause for
Concern
Persistent
Absentee
Threshold
Attendance
100
99
98
97
96
95
94
93
92
91
90
87
85
Actual
Attendance
190 days
188 days
186 days
184 days
182.5 days
180.5 days
178.5 days
176.5 days
175 days
173 days
171 days
165 days
161.5 days
Whole Days
Absent
0
2
4
6
7.5
9.5
11.5
13.5
15
17
19
25
29.5
Learning
Hours Lost
0
10
20
30
37.5
47.5
57.5
67.5
75
85
95
125
147.5
What can you do to help….
► Allow plenty of time for
getting ready in the morning.
► Ensure a regular bedtime
routine.
► Arrange appointments after
school hours.
► Legally, you are not allowed
to take your son or daughter
on holiday in term time.
Please plan holidays in
accordance with the school
calendar.
►Use good judgement
when your son / daughter
says they are ill.
►Talk to your child about
the importance of
attendance.
►If your son / daughter
can’t come in, tell us as
soon as possible.
►Ensure that they catch
up on any missed work.
Key Stage 4 Transition Evening
2015