MonmouthComprehensiveSchool

Year 10

Parents’ Information Evening

THE RACE IS ON!

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS 2018

HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL ON AUGUST 23RD 2018?

WHICH ANIMAL ARE YOU?

GO FOR IT!

• Be the tortoise not the hare,

• Don’t have regrets in August,

• It is never too late to make a

difference; seize every opportunity

to ‘bank’ marks and qualifications,

• You won’t regret it!

A SUMMER OF SUCCESS

• A busy exam season for Year 10.

• Two Maths GCSEs, Numeracy and Literacy.

• English Language GCSE.

• English Literature (second paper).

• Three Science Exams (One for Applied Science).

• History, D&T, PE, ICT, Music and Welsh.

• Controlled Tasks (English Lang and Lit).

HOW WILL WE SUPPORT EVERY CHILD.

• Walking Talking Mocks,

• Masterclasses,

• On Line Resources (FOLDR),

• Half Term Revision and Saturday Schools,

• Item Level Data,

• ‘PIXL Curve’ Exams,

• Past Paper Questions.

GCSE ENGLISH

Y E A R 1 0 2 0 1 6 / 1 7

ENGLISH LANGUAGE & ENGLISH LITERATURE

• Confidence

• Experience

• Opportunity

• Challenge

NON-EXAMINATION TASKS

• English Literature – these tasks were completed

during Year 9 and students have been offered the

opportunity to improve upon them.

• English Language – during this term students will

complete Unit 1.

HOW WE WILL SUPPORT EVERY LEARNER

• Lessons will enhance the skills, knowledge and

understanding needed for each paper.

• Walking-talking-exams.

• PPEs.

• Revision mornings/afternoons.

• PiXL Curve2.

• “Raise-a-grade” day.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT AT HOME

• Engage you child in authentic reading and writing

activities.

• Encourage the correct use of English grammar

when writing and speaking.

• Use the WJEC’s OER website.

• Use the PiXL English App.

• Continue to be curious!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• English Literature set texts and revision guides, as

well as the WJEC English Language text book are

available to order via ParentPay.

• Mr Parkinson is arranging a theatre trip to see a

performance of Blood Brothers.

• Some learners may also prefer to listen to audio

versions of the set texts.

KEY DATES

• English Literature: Unit 1 - May 22nd

• English Literature: Unit 2 – May 26th

• English Language: Unit 2 – June 6th

• English Language: Unit 3 – June 12th

GCSE MATHEMATICS AND NUMERACY

YEAR 10 2016/17

GCSE Mathematics- Numeracy GCSE – Mathematics

Non Calculator 25

th May (AM)

Calculator 8

th June (AM)

Non Calculator 13

th June (AM)

Calculator 20

th June (PM)

Higher Tier (A*-C) 1 hr 45mins (80 marks)

1 hr 45mins (80 marks)

1 hr 45mins (80 marks)

1 hr 45mins (80 marks)

Intermediate Tier (B-E) 1 hr 45mins (80 marks)

1 hr 45mins (80 marks)

1 hr 45mins (80 marks)

1 hr 45mins (80 marks)

Foundation Tier (D-G) 1 hr 30mins (65 marks)

1 hr 30mins (65 marks)

1 hr 30mins (65 marks)

1 hr 30mins (65 marks)

New Specification – GCSE

Mathematics and GCSE

Mathematics- Numeracy

Support from the

Mathematics Faculty

• Homework is issued weekly.

• After School support sessions run every

Tuesday 3pm to 4:30pm.

• Walking/Talking mocks closer to the

examinations.

• Past paper packs will be issued.

• Specific revision sessions will be run closer

to the time.

Ways to

revise• Answer as many practice papers as you can (in

timed conditions nearer to examination).

• Know your weaknesses and work on them.

• Try and use different revision techniques, writing

out flashcards, completing problem solving

questions, learning “parrot fashion”, making

rhymes to formulas, put post-its with formulas on

around your room.

• Attend After School Maths Support.

• Use websites/Pixl App – A little every day can

make a huge difference.

Foldr• Resources each for the

Higher, Intermediate and

Foundation

• Legacy papers

USEFUL WEBSITES FOR MATHS

• www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize

(a great revision website)

• www.mymaths.co.uk

Name: monmouth

Password: learning

• www.corbettmaths.co.uk

(this has videos, worksheets and answers)

GCSE SCIENCE

WJEC EXAMINATIONS

GCSE SCIENCE COURSES AT MCS

Single Science Double Science Triple Science

2x GCSE qualifications

3 exams in Yr10

(15% each)

Classroom Practical Exams in Jan-Feb Yr11 (10%)

3 exams in Yr11

(15% each)

3x GCSE qualifications

3 exams in Yr10

(45% each)

Classroom Practical Exams in Jan-Feb Yr11 (10%)

3 exams in Yr11

(45% each)

1x GCSE qualification

1 exam in Yr10

(40%)

Classroom Tasks & Exams Nov-FebFeb Yr11 (30%)

1 exam in Yr11

(30%)

GCSE SCIENCE COURSES AT MCS

Single Science Double Science Triple Science

2x GCSE

qualifications

10 hours per

fortnight

3 science

teachers:

Biology,

Chemistry,

Physics.

3x GCSE

qualifications

10 hours per

fortnight

3 science

teachers:

Biology,

Chemistry,

Physics.

1x GCSE qualification

5 hours of science per fortnight

1 science teacher that covers all of the course over the two years.

YEAR 10 GCSE SCIENCE EXAM DATES

Single Science Double Science Triple Science

3x Exams

Biology (15%)

Wed 14th June

am

Chemistry (15%)

Fri 16th June am

Physics (15%)

Mon 19th June

am

3x Exams

Biology (45%)

Wed 14th June

am

Chemistry (45%)

Fri 16th June am

Physics (45%)

Mon 19th June

am

1x Exam:

‘Science in the

Modern World’

(40%)

Wed 14th June

am

SUPPORTING STUDENTS• There’s a lot to know!

• Distributed Practice / Spaced Learning

Encourage your child to start early: review.

Little and often – in a dedicated slot (routine).

Low intensity.

Supporting students

• Hodder revision guides (date tbc)

• Could be ordered through school via

ParentPay

• Letter sent through students when

published

Supporting students

• Bangor University

Revision Notes

• Free!

• pdf format

• Currently being

updated for new

GCSE…

• FoldrU:\MONStudentShare\Science, Social Science and

Technology\Science\KS4 Yr10

Supporting students

• In school support:

Encourage students to talk to teachers

Exercise books – will have notes that cover

everything required and practise questions

Mock exam later this year

PPQs selected by teachers

Double / Single – In class revision activities

from Easter

Triple have little in-class revision opportunity

HOW DO YOU SUPPORT YOUR CHILD IN PREPARING FOR THE SUMMER

EXAMINATIONS?

YEAR 10 2016/17

Family

Student

School

• Masterclasses.

• Walking/talking mock exams.

• Mock exams.

• Pathways process/CHEF/Careers Advisor.

• Revision sessions after school and holidays.

• Controlled Task catch-ups.

• Preparation in lessons.

• Exam timetable discussion and planning.

• Revision timetable – sites online can assist.

• Little and often – short bursts of learning and short

breaks.

• Limit use of phone and social media; turn off during

revision periods.

• Rewards – don’t have to be large or expensive!

• Healthy food and drink.

• Sufficient sleep.

• Physical exercise.

• Quiet/appropriate space.

• Range of material and equipment (i.e. coloured

pens, textbooks, laptops, paper of varying sizes) for

creating resources.

• Revision guidebooks or subject materials.

• Internet access for online resources.

• Past papers and mark schemes from the exam

board websites.

Are you learning some knowledge; i.e. something that can be

remembered? This may be the dates of battles in history, the

events that happen to a character in a novel, or the

components of fitness in P.E.

Or, are you studying a skill? This could be, how to respond to a

10 mark question in your English Language exam, how to analyse

table in Geography or how to apply a formula in Maths.

These different types of learning require different types of revision.

MIND MAPPING

LEARNING KEY WORDS AND DEFINITIONS – REMEMBERING

KNOWLEDGE…

• Cue cards.

• Picture prompts.

• Mnemonics.

• Testing by parents or friends.

• Using exam board resources.

USING EXAM PAPERS AS A TOOL FOR SKILLS BASED REVISION…

• Download exam paper and mark scheme.

• Look at the first question.

• Revise that topic area (mind maps, revision cards,

flow charts etc.).

• Answer the question – time yourself.

• Mark with the mark scheme (5 minutes).

• Identify the areas of the mark scheme that you got

wrong or missed out in a different colour (5

minutes).

• Have a break and try the next question.

FIRST, YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU WILL BE FACED WITH IN MAY AND

JUNE…

Year 10 Examinations and Controlled Assessments

Visit our website for news, updates and events – www.monmouthcomprehensive.org.uk – follow us on twitter

@learnwithmcs

EnglishThere will be two literature

examinations in Year 10. Unit 1

– 4th January 2017, Unit 2b 26th

May.

Media Studies 5th June.

Unit 2 GCSE Language 6th June,

Unit 3 GCSE Language 12th

June.

There are two Oracy Core

Assessments in February 2017.MathsAll Year 10 will be taking both

GCSE Mathematics and GCSE

Mathematics – Numeracy

examinations in May/June of

2017. There are no controlled

assessments for either course.

Year 10 Mock Exams will take

place in January 2017.

Science - Year 10 GCSE – WJEC Examination

BoardExamination Date

Applied Science (Single Award - vocational) Wednesday 14th June

Biology (Double and Triple Award) Wednesday 14th June

Chemistry (Double and Triple Award) Friday 16th June

Physics (Double and Triple Award) Monday 19th June

WelshFull Course-

Controlled

Assessment oral-

December 2016 /

January 2017.

Controlled

Assessment oral-

February 2017.

Reading and Writing

exam - May 2017.

Short Course-

Controlled

Assessment oral-

December 2016 /

January 2017.

Controlled

Assessment oral-

Easter 2017.

PEGCSE PE – Coursework

deadline: First Draft –

Monday 9th January

REThere are no Controlled

Tasks or examinations in

Year 10.

Your child will have been

given further information

about these assessment

points by their teachers.

Please check with your

son or daughter as

different class teachers

may have slightly

different schedules for

Controlled Assessments.

Assessment points may

be subject to change.

Schedule of events

January 11th - Parents’

Evening.

January 17th - Careers and

Higher Education Fair.

April 6th - Annual Report

home.

May 9th – external

examinations begin.

June 26th – 28th – Summer

Learning.

You can help your child by:

• reading, checking and signing their planner every week;

• discussing with them their school work and work to do at

home;

• alerting the school to anything of which we may be

unaware that may hinder their learning;

• making sure they attend school on time, fully equipped

and in the correct uniform.Expectations:• To wear the school uniform;

• To remember your learning equipment (e.g. pen, pencil, school

bag);

• To be on time to lessons and to registration;

• To have a positive approach and attitude to learning;

• To challenge yourself through learning;

• To record all homework accurately in your planner and meet

deadlines;

• To treat our school with care.

Visit our website for news,

updates and events

www.monmouthcomprehensive.org

.uk

Follow us on twitter

@learnwithmcs

@MCS_Year_9

GCSE Computer

ScienceNo external exam or

coursework in Year

10. Students will however be

completing practice

coursework in the summer in

preparation for controlled

tasks next year.

Health and Social CareYear 10 are focusing on exam

preparation this year to take

the paper (worth 40%) in June

2017.

Students will also be starting

the Controlled Assessment in

the summer term of Year 10

and will continue this into Year

11.

Sports ScienceStudents are currently

studying two units. Unit 2-

Improving Sports

Performance will be

assessed in the first week of

May 2017.

The other unit will be

assessed in May 2018.

Child DevelopmentThe ‘Research Task will be

completed by Christmas (20%).

The ‘Child Study’ starts in April of

Year 10 and runs until November

of Year 11 (40%).

The final exam is at the end of

Year 11 (40%).Resistant Materials Students will have an examination

on 23rd May 2017.

Business StudiesControlled Task (25%) and exam

(75%) take place in Year 11.

EngineeringStudents will have an examination

in May 2017.

Hospitality and CateringControlled Tasks for Year 10,

however they will begin in the

Spring term.

HistoryStudents will sit the Germany exam

in early June 2017. The Controlled

Tasks (two pieces) start in

September of Year 11, to be

completed by Christmas.

GeographyAll externally assessed work will

be in Year 11; Fieldwork

Controlled Assessment

(December 2017) , May 2018 (Unit

1) and June 2018 (Unit 2).

In order to fully prepare, students

will have a Unit 1 mock exam in

July 2017.GCSE ICTStudents are currently completing

Controlled Coursework (Unit 2)

lasting until February, (60% of their

Year 10 mark). In May, they take

the Unit 1 theory exam, (40% of

their Year 10 mark). Year 10

accounts for half their total GCSE

mark; the pattern is repeated in

Year 11.

GraphicsStudents will have an examination

on 23rd May 2017.

MFLNo Exams or Controlled

Assessments this year

Performing and Expressive

ArtsDrama Unit 2 exam June 2017.

Art on-going coursework.

Music on-going coursework.

TOP FIVE TIPS FOR SUCCESS!

• Organise your revision timetable early to avoid panic

in May.

• Little and often (45 minutes sessions) with planned

breaks and / or rewards.

• Use a range of techniques; find what works for you.

• Use a suitable environment to learn without

distractions (turn phone off and wait for a break).

• Be positive, it is never too late to make a difference!