Supporting your childUnderstand level of courseKnow college requirements

Be aware of workloadBe aware of a variety of revision / work strategies

Current qualifications

Level 3 courses are A levels and equivalent. Level 2 courses are equivalent to GCSEs. Taking level 3 courses in year 12 means 2

years at college (not 3). Taking level 3 courses enables progression

to university. Taking level 3 courses increases your

potential career earnings.

Types of course

AS and A2 level – academic, theory based- Give access to university courses (honours degree)- A and AS levels are one of the main routes into higher

education, but they're also useful if you want to go straight into a job, such as office administration or trainee accountancy.

Vocational – vocational, learning by doing- Give access to university courses (foundation degree)- Vocational qualifications can help you:- get the skills you need to start a job- progress in your career- go on to further learning

Types of level 3 course

5 or 6 A*-C including English and maths for L3.

5 or 6 A*-D including English and maths for L2.

This includes BTEC and OCR courses at a pass.

Failure to achieve C+ in English or maths would mean;

a) retaking those GCSE’s or another L2 English / maths course.

b) Year 12 course at level 2.

East Surrey entry requirements

Reigate College assign every GCSE grade points.

Reigate College entry requirements

GCSE Grade Points

A* 8

A 7

B 6

C 5

D 4

E 3

F 2

G 1

U 0

GCSE average points are calculated. The average is used to determine the

options a student can choose.Average GCSE score Study programme

Above 5 points, with at least 5 grade Cs You may choose any combination of courses

Between 4 and 5 points, with at least 5 grade Cs BTEC Level 3 courses should make up two units of your combination

Less than 4 points with at least 4 passes at grade D or above

You must include two BTEC Level 2 courses in your combination

Students can not concentrate only on post 16 options.

One subject can make the difference. More vocational courses in options

increases the individual effect of individual GCSE grades.

Available post 16 options will affect potential career choices.

Implications for our students

Reigate College use GCSE averages to advise students about AS level choices.

The following is taken from the Reigate College website;

“National surveys of thousands of Advanced Level students show that there is a pattern between their GCSE scores and the results they achieve on an AS, A Level or BTEC course. The College uses this information to help ensure that students are placed on the right course.”

Further details

How much time should be spent on school work?

Workload and study skills

Independent learning tasks:

• Normal homework• Revision• Reading around the subject• Coursework / controlled assessment

Workload and study skills

Other obligations and priorities:

• Part-time job• Socialising• Sport• Music• School work

Need to adjust the balance at key times

Workload and study skills

Coursework / controlled assessment

What is it?

How does this affect my child?

Pupils who do well:

1. Are committed2. Are hardworking3. Take their work seriously4. Are organised to meet deadlines5. Plan their work/time6. Complete improvement tasks

Achieving success

Finding out what has been set and marked to show progress:

1. Talk to your sons and daughters2. Look at their Record Book3. Talk to their friends4. Look in their folders and books5. Talk to or e-mail subject teachers and HOY6. Analyse and discuss school reports 7. Challenge teachers, school, governors, yourselves, if

your child is underperforming

Monitoring Progress: A parental/carers guide

• Provide a suitable working environment• Encourage and support (food and love)

Good results depend on what the student does at home

• Check your child has a full set of notes• Encourage reading / research around

the subject• Dealing with absences• Every Lesson Counts!• Does s/he have a work / revision

timetable? - include breaks

A full set of notes is essential for success

• Checklist given by departments

• Identify priorities• Enables students to tick off – sense of achievement

Encourage use of a revision checklist

KS4: tested in the Mock exams

Revision Strategies

• Post Exam Analysis• Targeted intervention strategies• Exam Practice Sessions • Reports• Parents’ Evening

After the mock exams

Work Strategies

Self Assessment

• Red = ‘I find this very difficult’

•Amber = ‘I’m not too bad at this but could improve my knowledge’

•Green = ‘I feel confident with this’

Revision Timetable

Date Subject / Topic to cover

Registration Period Evening

Mon

Tues

Weds

Thurs

Fri

Morning Afternoon Evening

Sat

Sun

A revision / work timetable

Enables work to be distributed evenly.

Talk to teachers about work and revision strategies e.g.• Topic on a postcard • Mnemonics• Record information electronically• Revise with a friend• Visual diagrams• Internet research• Online revision – GCSE pod

Use a variety of strategies to maintain motivation

• Key points on revision / fact cards• Textbooks and exercise books• Revision guides• Internet research sites• Friends and classmates• Parents• Teachers – revision clubs, homework club

• Past papers

A wide range of resources should be used

• A full set of notes• A revision timetable & checklists• A variety of work strategies • A range of resources• Independent learning skills • Parents who encourage them!

To sum up Successful Students have :

www.warwick.surrey.sch.uk www.getrevising.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize www.s-cool.co.uk http://www.gcsepod.com/

Useful websites