T H E N E W G C S E S P E C I F I C A T I O N S

E N G L I S H

M A T H S

S C I E N C E

Core Subjects Engagement Evening

New Grades

New grading system: grades 9 to 1

Replacing the existing system of grades A* to G

At the moment Grade 4 is seen as the “benchmark” (‘a standard pass’) but we also know that some institutions are already looking at Grade 5 only (‘a strong pass’).

English

The two biggest changes are:

No “tiers” (Higher/Foundation) – everyone will do the same paper

No coursework/’Controlled Assessments’ – the grades will be based purely on the exams at the end of Year 11.

The papers

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

PAPER 1 – Creative Reading and Writing

Explore one piece of “literary fiction” (e.g. a short story or extract from a novel)

Complete a piece of descriptive/narrative writing (creating a short story/description of their own)

PAPER 2 – Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives

Looking at two non-fiction texts and picking out/exploring key information

Writing from a particular viewpoint (e.g. a newspaper article that gives your views on a specific topic)

ENGLISH LITERATURE

PAPER 1 – Shakespeare and the 19th

century novel

19th Century novel - The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson)

A play by Shakespeare (probably Macbeth).

PAPER 2 – Modern texts and poetry

A play (e.g. An Inspector Calls),

plus

2 Poetry sections – anthology and unseen

ENGLISH LANGUAGE (PAPER 1&2)

On your tables, on pink coloured paper, you have a double-sided sheet on the theme of running away. We are going to focus on Language Paper 2.

Have a read of the two extracts together, then see if you can pick out some of the key information using the questions below. Feel free to write on the sheet – highlight/underline/have arrows coming off!

1. Look at the words used in Source A – how does the writer make her situation sound?

2. What about Source B? Is the writer’s feelings on her situation different?

3. How do the writers of each text discuss the theme of being alone or running away? Can you pick out METHODS here (techniques that writers use)?

ENGLISH LITERATURE PAPER 1

Now we’re going to look at an extract (on cream paper) from the Stevenson novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. We will be starting this next week!

This one will probably be a bit more familiar to the students here tonight. Your task is quite simple – read the extract that introduces Mr Hyde for the first time and then ask yourself this question:

“How does Stevenson present the character of Mr Hyde in this extract?”

To help you, on your tables you will find the lilac coloured sheet with some prompts. Find as much EVIDENCE as you can!

Maths – Foundation Paper

Foundation tier: grades 5 to 1

3 papers (1 non-calculator and 2 calculator)

Each paper is 1 hour 30 minutes

The paper is split into 3 types of questions

Use and apply: 50%

Reason and interpret: 25%

Solve problems: 25%

Maths – Higher Paper

Higher tier: grades 9 to 4

3 papers (1 non-calculator and 2 calculator)

Each paper is 1 hour 30 minutes

The paper is split into 3 types of questions

Use and apply: 40%

Reason and interpret: 30%

Solve problems: 30%

Maths Activities

Pixl Revision App

School ID: MB4177

Username and password: surname first initial (e.g. JAMIESONH)

Card sort

Match up the questions to the answers

Science

The two biggest changes are:

No coursework/’Controlled Assessments’ – the grades will be based purely on the exams at the end of Year 11. You will be assessed on practical skills in the exams

You will not be given all of the equations needed for maths based questions.

Trilogy Science Award (Combined Science)

Two tiers available:

- Foundation: grades 1 – 5

- Higher: grades 5 – 9

6 Papers (1 hour 15 mins each)

- 2 papers for each of the 3 sciences.

Each paper is split into 3 types of questions Demonstrate knowledge and understanding: 40%

Applying knowledge and understanding: 40%

Analysing, Interpreting and Evaluating: 20%

Separate Science Award (Triple Science)

Two tiers available:- Foundation: grades 1 – 5- Higher: grades 5 – 9

6 Papers (1 hour 45 mins each)- 2 papers for each of the 3 sciences.- Each Paper is 50% of a grade.

Each paper is split into 3 types of questions Demonstrate knowledge and understanding: 40% Applying knowledge and understanding: 40% Analysing, Interpreting and Evaluating: 20%

Science

Shared area PiXL resources

Doddle

Lots and lots of resources available on Doddle.

Every students has a login and password. You can use Doddle whenever you like and your teachers will also issue you with work at different times of the year.

Science

Science - Task

You have been provided with some specimen exam questions (with their mark schemes) and extracts from our text books:

1. Pick one of the subject activity packs (Biology - green, Chemistry - red or Physics - blue).

2. Read the text book pages in the pack and summarise the key ideas and information (lined paper is available)

3. Use your notes to complete the exam question in the pack (try not to cheat!)

4. Mark your answers and identify areas that need further work.

Thanks for listening (and for taking part!)

Feel free to stay for a drink and a biscuit – we’re around to answer any specific queries or concerns that you may have.

Please take any of the resources that you’ve used tonight (except the copies of the novel of course!)

There is a hand-out of helpful information to take away as well.

As always we value you feedback on events like these to help us make them more useful to you. If we can ask you to fill in the surveys before you leave, it would be much appreciated.