Parent, Carer and

Student

Guide to

Key Stage 4

Please note that all references to exam dates including Mocks may be subject to

change due to Covid-19 restrictions. Bensham Manor will inform parents as soon

as possible whenever changes are deemed necessary

Expectations

All students have on-going assessments to ascertain their approriate level.

They are expected to achieve a required number of assessment criteria to

reach their potential for learning. This will be different for every student.

In order to be considered for formal exams, they will need to be at the required

academic standard and also be capable of focussing for the length of the exam.

They will require a positive attitude towards the exam.

Students will be expected to complete homework assignments if they are doing

higher level courses.

Support at Bensham Manor School

Students taking exams and other qualifications will be supported by teachers

and teaching assistants in all lessons. All students are assessed for reading ac-

curacy and fluency. If they meet the criteria, they will be provided with Access

Arrangements such as extra time, a reader, prompter, and/or use of a word

processor.

Parental /Carer Support

Parents and carers are expected to:

Ensure their child maintains good attendance.

Arrange any appointments for after school.

Provide a quiet space for homework to be completed.

Attend parent’s evenings to talk to staff and maintain good home school links.

Ensure that during exam periods, their child gets a good night’s sleep and has

a good breakfast then support their child in arriving in good time for exams.

3

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

At Bensham Manor School, there are a variety of different qualifications

available to students. These may take the form of course work, exams and

practical tests. Bensham Manor School recognises that our learners have a

range of learning styles and abilities. We have developed a curriculum to meet

the needs of each of our students, offering them a learning opportunity that

will meet their learning style and prepare them for College or Post 16

provision. All students have access to learning outside of the classroom and

many visits are incorporated into the curriculum.

Pathways in Key Stage 4

Academic-Entry 2/Entry 3/GCSE/Level 1

This programme will give the full opportunity for students to achieve GCSE/

Entry Level/Level 1 qualifications where appropriate in all of the following

subjects.

English-GSCE/Entry Level/Functional Skills-Entry to Level 1

Maths-GCSE/Level 1/Entry Level/Functional Skills-Entry to Level 1

Science– GCSE/Level 1/Entry Level

Art– GCSE/Entry Level

Textiles-GCSE/Entry Level

ICT-Level 1/Entry level/Functional Skills-Entry to Level 1

Humanities-Entry Level

PE- Entry Level

PSHE- Entry level

Food Studies– Level 1

Childcare/Work Related learning– Entry Level

4

Foundation Learning– Entry 1/Entry 2/Entry 3

Within this programme, the accredited subjects include:

English– Gateway Entry Level/ Functional Skills

Maths– Gateway Entry Level/Functional Skills

Science– Entry Level

ICT– Entry Level/Functional Skills

PE– Entry Level

Art– GCSE/Entry Level

Textiles– GCSE/Entry Level

Life Skills Cooking-AQA Units

Childcare– AQA Units

Students who are on this pathway also achieve a Gateway qualification–

Extended Certificate in Skills For Independent Living. This course is built up of

units, ending up with a portfolio of evidence. It is a highly practical

qualification and involves units such as cooking, shopping skills, using public

transport, health and hygiene, money skills, personal safety, laundry, making a

product, enterprise and work related learning as well as many others. The

course is assessed through practical and assignment based tasks. Pupils enjoy

this course immensely and have grown in confidence whilst learning and

underpinning a vast range of transferable skills.

5

Levels of Qualifications

6

Accreditation at Bensham Manor School

Mathematics Edexcel -GCSE /Level 1 Number and Measure/

Functional Skills

Gateway -Entry Level

English WJEC– GCSE

Gateway -Entry Level

Edexcel—Functional Skills

Science AQA-GCSE

WJEC– Science Today Pathway

Edexcel –BTEC Level 1 Award in Applied Science

ICT/CDM Edexcel– Functional Skills

Ascentis- Entry Level Award in Digital Skills

Humanities WJEC-Humanities Pathway

PSHCE WJEC- PSHE Pathway

PE WJEC -Healthy Living and Fitness Pathway

Childcare/ Work Related

Learning

WJEC Independent Living Pathway

AQA-Unit Awards

Food Studies Edexcel BTEC Level 1 Home Cooking Skills

Art AQA -GCSE

OCR -Entry Level

Textiles Edexcel– GCSE

WJEC– Creative Media Pathway

RE WJEC RE Pathway

Foundation Learning Group Gateway– Extended Certificate in Skills for

Independent Living/ AQA Unit Awards

7

Accreditation at Bensham Manor School

GCSE Maths and English/ Level 1 Award in Number and Measure

This is a higher level course and is taught to students who have already

achieved Entry 3.

Homework is vital and must be completed every week.

They are taught the skills necessary for the examination.

There is a mock exam in March/April of Year 11.

The final exams are taken in May/June.

Students are expected to attend after school booster sessions for Maths.

GCSE Art and Design/Textiles

This is designed for students with artistic and creative talent.

Homework is vital and must be done every week.

Students are expected to attend after school booster sessions for Textiles.

There is a coursework requirement and a final exam which takes place over 3

days.

Work is internally marked and externally verified.

Certificates are awarded once the marks have been accepted by the

Examining Body.

BTEC Home Cooking Skills Level 1

This is a higher level course and is taught to students who are competent at

cooking skills and are working beyond Entry 3.

Students practise skills needed to complete the set assignments.

Assignments are carried out in class and are internally marked.

Certificates are awarded once the marks are accepted by the Examining

Body.

8

Accreditation at Bensham Manor School

BTEC Applied Science Level 1

This is a higher level course and is taught to students who are working beyond

Entry 3.

Coursework has to be completed.

Assessments are carried out in class and internally marked.

Certificates are awarded once the marks have been accepted by the

Examining Body.

Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2

Some students will be entered for Functional Skills at Level 1 or 2 in English,

Maths or IT.

The level they are entered for depends on their academic ability.

An external exam is taken on demand usually in May.

The exam is externally marked and verified. Certificates will be issued once

the marks have been accepted.

9

Accreditation at Bensham Manor School

Entry Level Certificates/Pathways Courses/ Gateway Skills For Independent Living

The courses are taught and assessed in lessons.

Students compile a portfolio of evidence.

Students are encouraged to gain the highest level they can achieve.

Students need to be fully focussed in lessons and complete all assignments.

Homework must be completed and any relevant trips attended.

Certificates are awarded at the end of Year 11.

Functional Skills Entry 1, 2, 3 in English, Maths and ICT

Most students will be entered for Functional Skills exams.

The level they are entered for depends on their academic ability.

Students take formal tests, when they are ready, which are internally marked

and externally verified.

Certificates will be issued once the marks have been accepted.

Malpractice

Malpractice is when we think a student has cheated in their coursework or

exams. If we think this has happened, we would contact parents/carers and then

investigate the situation. We would also have to contact the exam board. The

consequence for cheating is that the student’s exams are cancelled.

Appeals

Parents/carers can appeal about the procedures used in arriving at internal

assessment decisions or the production of externally assessed work. The appeal

must be made in writing to the School’s Examination Officer by 8th May in the

year the coursework has been assessed. The grounds for appeal must be clearly

stated. Appeals are investigated and reported back. Records of appeals are kept.

10

Enhanced Learning Opportunities Outside of the Classroom

The Duke Of Edinburgh Award

Some students take the Duke Of Edinburgh Award at Bronze Level in

Key Stage 4. This involves:

Committing to learning a new skill and volunteering within the school

community for 3 months.

Completing a period of physical activity and learning how to prepare and

plan for an expedition.

An overnight stay and 6 hours of daytime activity including a hike.

The expedition usually takes place at Frylands Wood Campsite. All sections

must be completed to gain the award. Students are continually assessed within

each section and after completing a practise expedition with the school, an

external assessor attends their expedition and observes the group putting their

skills and knowledge into action.

JED’s Driving Initiative

Most year 11 students will have the opportuni- ty

to have 5 lessons with an

instructor from Jed’s Driving School. This involves:

4 class based theory lessons looking at road signs, safety within the car,

hazard perception and being a courteous driver.

1 lesson driving a car in the school playground with an instructor.

Year 10 Short Residential

All pupils in year 10 are offered the opportunity to attend a 2 day residential at

The Old Pheasantry in Mogador. They practise their life skills, team work skills

and participate in outdoor activities.

11

Enhanced Learning Opportunities Outside of the Classroom

Work Experience

All students will take part in 1 work experience placements in KS4. Year 10 have

a 1 week placement in July and year 11 have a 1 week placement in June.

Students are encouraged to find their own placements supported by family and

staff. Some students will attend supported work placements provided by

Bensham Manor School.

College Transition Courses

Year 11 students attend a link transition course in the Autumn or Spring term.

This is at either Croydon College or Carshalton College. This provides students

with a taste of college life and increases their confidence and independence.

This helps to prepare them for transition to college.

College Visits

Bensham Manor will support families, carers and students in making applica-

tions to other appropriate colleges such as Merton, Bromley , Capel Manor and

NESCOT. Currently, most visits or tours are conducted ‘virtually’.

12

BENSHAM MANOR School Term Dates – 2020-2021

Provisional Key Dates For Key Stage 4 (All dates are provisional as they may need to be postponed or cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.)

June 7th to 11th – Year 11 Work Experience

June 17th– Year 11 Leavers Graduation Ceremony

June 28th - 2nd July Year 10 Short Residential

July 5th—9th Year 10 Work Experience.