The document provides information for parents about supporting students in Year 10. It discusses controlled assessments and exams that will take place throughout the year for various subjects, including English, maths, science, design and technology, and humanities. Parents are encouraged to check student planners, complete homework, and attend parent-teacher meetings to support their child's learning.

1. Supporting Success Evening Year 10
Learning Managers
Kat Russell 10K
&
Angela Howe 10H

2. How you can help us
A sound start with a positive attitude leads to
great achievement
1. Contact us (tutor first point of contact)
2. Check and read information in the planner
3. Keep up to date with information on the
website – in particular the parent area
www.countesthorpe.leics.sch.uk
4. Make sure we have your contact details,
including your mobile number

3. Absence and Holidays
• We are aiming for 100% attendance for every
student – please try to make appointments out of
school time and certainly ensure that your
son/daughter makes up any work missed.
• If your son/daughter is absent please let Victoria
our attendance officer know. 01162771555 then
press 1.
• Holidays – Take them in holiday weeks, it is
against the law to remove students during term
time.

4. The coming year – an overview
• Most subjects have controlled assessments
throughout the year – you will hear details
from Heads of Department and receive
dates and deadlines in booklets
• So just to explain…

5. Controlled Assessment
• Controlled Assessment has replaced
coursework – this will occur regularly
throughout the year
• Students are expected to complete
controlled assessments in class time, in exam
conditions – although preparation time will
have been allowed and some of this will be
set as homework – it’s ideal if you can help
monitor what your son/daughter is
completing at home

6. Monitoring
• We will send you interim statements of progress with
target grades, predicted grades and a motivational score
for each subject.
- Mid October 2013
- Mid November 2013
- Mid February 2014
• Parents’ Evenings are 16th January (late 6 – 8 pm) or 23rd
January (early 4 – 6 pm), students to make appointments
on your behalf
• Annual/Summative report –June 2014
• End of Year Exam Results – July 2014
• Online reporting – My ChildAtSchool.com – information to
follow later in presentation.

7. The motivational scale

8. What we will do…
• At each assessment point as Learning
Managers we will review how well students
are performing – in relation to target and
predicted grade and looking at
motivational scores.
• Some students will receive certificates for
their consistently high levels of motivations.
• Underperformance will trigger interventions
e.g. subject report, contact with home, tutor
report or meetings.

9. To get further information
• Booklets - for students during tutorial
Friday and on line for parents
• The Learning Link - Fronter
• Tutor
• Key Stage 4 office
• Attendance officer (Victoria Wright)
• Exams officer (Eleanor Gregory )

10. English in Year 10

11. Some things you should know…
• Most students take both English Language
and English Literature
• Assessment is by Controlled Assessment and
external examination
• Intervention is used to address
underachievement
• Parental support is vital

12. Course Outline
English Language
• End of Year 11 exams – 40%
• Written controlled assessments – 40%
• Speaking and Listening assessments – 20%
English Literature
• End of Year 11 exams – 75%
• Written controlled assessment – 25%

13. Overview of English
Controlled Assessments
5 Written Controlled Assessments and 3 Presentations
• 7th Oct 2013 – Of Mice and Men – 2 hours 15% - Language
• 11th Nov 2013 – Spoken Language Study – 2 hours 10% - Language
• Dec 2013 – Speaking and Listening role play – Language*
• 24th Feb 2014 – Shakespeare & Poetry – 3 hours - Literature
• 17th Mar 2014 – Descriptive Writing – 1 hour 7.5% - Language
• 12th May 2014 – Narrative Writing – 1 hour 7.5% - Language
• June 2014 – Speaking and Listening – Presentation – Language*
• Dec 2014 – Speaking and Listening – Discussion – Language*
• *Speaking and Listening currently worth 20% of Language GCSE

14. How to help your son/daughter with
their English …
• Check they’ve done their homework, and it’s
more than just a couple of lines!
• Encourage them to come to every lesson
• Encourage them to attend catch up and
intervention sessions when offered
• Remind them to use the College’s virtual
learning platform when researching and revising
• Talk through their progress and ask them what
they are working on in English
• Please, please encourage them to read at home

15. GCSE Maths at Countesthorpe

16. Studying Maths
• All students study Maths to GCSE level.
• There are three 60 minute Maths lessons each
week.
• Homework is set each week.
• Students follow the WJEC Specification.
• There are two tiers of assessment:
– Foundation giving GCSE grades G-C
– Higher giving GCSE grades D-A*

17. Maths Sets
• All students are placed in Maths sets at the
start of year 10.
• Students are setted using KS 3 assessments
and year 9 tests.
• There are 5 or 6 sets in each section of the
timetable.
• Setting is reviewed regularly and set changes
happen after Key Assessment points.

18. GCSE Tiers and Targets
• Broadly speaking we would expect :
– Set 1: Higher tier GCSE entry targeting grades A/A*/B
– Set 2: Higher tier GCSE entry targeting grades A/B/C
– Set 3: Higher or Foundation tier GCSE entry
targeting grade B/C
– Set 4: Foundation tier GCSE entry targeting grades
C/D
– Set 5: Foundation tier GCSE entry targeting grades
D/E/F – but not excluding C

19. GCSE Maths Assessments
• The option of modular assessment has been removed for
GCSE Maths exams from 2014. This is national policy and
applies to all GCSE Maths specifications.
• GCSE Maths is assessed by 2 exams. We are doing an early
entry at the end of Year 10 in June 2014.
• The last chance to improve their grade will be at the end
of Year 11 in June 2015.
• Some students in the top set will be taking an additional
GCSE in Further Mathematics at the end of Year 11.
• There is no coursework or controlled assessment in GCSE
Maths.

20. Assessment
• All students will have a target grade based
on their attainment before they started at
Countesthorpe, this may be raised if
progress is rapid, never lowered!
• There will be regular tests to check that
students are meeting their targets.

21. Homework
• Homework is a compulsory element of our
courses.
• We have pre-prepared weekly homeworks
following our scheme of work. Homeworks
are accessed from Fronter and are also
available as a booklet.
• Teachers will check that homework is
completed, provide answers and mark
some work in detail.

22. Equipment
Students are expected to bring their own
equipment for each Maths lesson. This
should include:
• Scientific calculator
• Pen
• Pencil
• Ruler

23. Independent Learning
Our most successful students take responsibility
for their learning by:
– Taking pride in the quality of their work in and out
of school
– Checking their understanding is sound and seeking
the support they need from published resources,
teachers, parents, friends etc
– Organising systematic revision

24. Resources to support learning
and revision
• Test Analysis
• Revision Guides and Work Books
• Specimen and past papers
• Web Sites:
– www.mymaths.co.uk (User: countesthorpe,
Password: prime)
– BBC GCSE Bitesize
• Fronter

25. Mathematics Post 16
The College offers the following opportunities to
study Maths in the Sixth Form:
• AS and A level Maths
• AS and A level Further Maths (giving a double
Maths qualification)
• GCSE Maths resit for students needing to improve
their performance after Year 11

26. The Sciences in Year 10
SCIENCE IS DIFFERENT!
• Most students get their first GCSE at the
end of year 10 (not Triple Science
students or Skills students).
• GCSE Exams start early in Science –
June 2014 (not Triple or Skills)
• Two teachers for Life and Physical Science
lessons

27. The Course in the Autumn Term
Life Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
Three exams in
Summer 2014
Physical Science
• Physics
• Chemistry
Each Exam is worth
25% of year 10
grade

28. Triple Science and Skills
Same as other students’ curriculum except –
Triple Science
• Extra lessons in option block
• Exams for Triple Science all at end of course
• Three ISAs in year 11
Skills Group
• Core Science course but over 2 years with
exams at end.

29. Coursework (ISA)
• An assessed practical investigation will
take place in the Autumn term (after half
term)
• Worth 25%
• Assessed by two written exam papers

30. Support
• Tuesday and Thursday after school
P.A.S.S. Sessions (Pupil After School
Support)
• Revision Guide
• Learning Link (has links to other sites)
• Websites e.g. BBC Bitesize
• Past Paper practise

31. ACHIEVING SUCCESS DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
YEAR 10
Students in year 10 will be taking either Resistant Materials, Graphic
Products, Textiles or Food. This is a two year course but will draw on
experience and skills gathered at Key Stage 3. Alternatively, some
students will have opted for BTEC Level 2 Engineering.
HOW IS GCSE DT STRUCTURED?
The course is assessed as 2 units:
Unit 1: This covers all of the subject knowledge for that material
area
It is worth 40% of the mark
Part of the exam will entail students having done some research,
designing and revision around a theme/topic which they will be given
in March 2014.

32. HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT YOUR SON/ DAUGHTER?
They will have home learning which will be placed on the
learning link (Fronter).
Information about projects are clearly linked on Fronter, as well
as past papers with mark schemes.
It would be really helpful if you could support your son/
daughter by checking that this has been done and alert HoD
(Emma Chadfield) if there is any difficulty in this being
completed so that we can arrange additional sessions or targeted
help if necessary.
A revision guide or student revision workbook (except for
Engineering) is compulsory

33. UNIT 2:
Controlled Assessment Unit and it is worth 60% of the overall grade. This starts after the
Easter holiday.
Students will need to respond to a design context by researching, designing, developing,
planning and making a product. The more skills that they can show, the more credit they will
be given.
Important is the on-going testing and research. For example sourcing images to use in
their graphics. They need to use their own initiative and be pro-active about doing this.
Quality not quantity: exam board limits of 20 sides of A3 or 20 slides for an e-portfolio.
The key to success is good organisation. Students have Controlled Assessment
monitoring points. Progress is checked and additional sessions are provided if required:
TEXTILES:
Initial research into the brief/ design context: 2nd May 2014
Initial design ideas: 13th June 2014
RESISTANT MATERIALS/ FOOD
Initial research into the brief/ design context: 2nd May 2014
Initial design ideas: 23rd May 2014
Development, modelling and testing: 20th June 2014
GRAPHICS
Initial research into the brief/ design context: 16th June 2014

34. HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT YOUR SON/ DAUGHTER?
Textiles: Students will need to purchase the fabric they
require to make their product. Fabric should be being
brought into College early in the autumn term. Each
student will have a one-to-one conversation with their teacher
about what is needed before they are asked to get their fabric.
Food: Students will need to provide the main ingredients for
their practical sessions. Anna Robertson (Food Teacher) will
provide your Son/ Daughter with plenty of notice of when this is
required.
Food practical sessions will always be on the same day and
are as follows:
10Y Monday
10W Friday (Anna’s group)
10W Tuesday week 1 and Monday week 2 (Sharon’s group)
10X Friday

35. At home, students can be writing/ typing up any
testing they have done. To do this, they will need to
access pictures which will have been uploaded onto
shared area.
Purchase a revision guide. It has helpful sections
that support Controlled Assessment work.
Download Google Sketch-up (which is free!!). This
will enable students in Engineering and Resistant
Materials to be able to practice at home.

36. ADDITIONAL STUDY SESSIONS
Additional sessions are arranged with students as required. These take place
mainly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students should speak directly to their
subject teacher.
POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT DT CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT
Research work using the library or the Internet can be undertaken
outside of College. However, this must be used for reference only
and should not be submitted in its entirety as part of the project.
Folders must remain in College and any major practical work has
to be carried out under supervision in class time or during an after
school session.
Under agreed circumstances only, any work that is taken home
must be agreed with the teacher, signed out officially and signed
back in again. This is essential in order to enable the teacher to verify
that it is the students own work.

37. USEFUL WEBSITES
There are many websites for DT, but the best ones are listed below and
can be used for research, acquiring knowledge and revision
http://www.design-technology.info/ Suitable for all DT subjects
http://www.designandtech.com/ Suitable for all DT subjects
http://www.technologystudent.com/ Suitable for all DT subjects
http://www.mr-d-n-t.co.uk/index-page.htm Suitable for Graphics
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
design/
Suitable for all DT subjects
http://www.techitoutuk.com/ Suitable for all DT subjects
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/ Search for video clips in
‘Secondary Design and
Technology’

38. BTEC LEVEL 2 ENGINEERING
This is a two year course with a more vocational focus than GCSE.
BTEC comprises of 4 units which are delivered through 120 guided
learning hours (GLH).
There is an externally examined unit (unit 1) and the other 3 units are
assessed internally at the College.
The qualification is equivalent to 2 GCSE’s A*-C and it is graded as Pass,
Merit, Distinction or Distinction plus.
THE UNITS & STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE
Students will do 4 units over the duration of the course. There is some
cross over between units.
Evidence for each 3 of these units will take the form of reports, slide shows,
verbal and electronic presentations, photographs and teacher observations.
One unit will be assessed through an exam.

39. UNIT 3: Health & Safety in Engineering (30 GLH)
This is internally assessed.
• This will be incorporated into a practical project which utilises the lathe and electronics.
UNIT 6: CAD Engineering (30 GLH)
This is internally assessed.
• Be able to use CAD (Computer Aided Design) system to produce an engineering
drawing.
• Use CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) to manufacture a component and circuit board.
UNIT 1: The Engineered World (30 GLH)
This is assessed by the exam board.
• Students will investigate what is meant by the term “engineering”
• The processes that are used
• Environmental impact – waste reduction and sustainability.
UNIT 2: Investigating an Engineering Product (30 GLH)
This is internally assessed.
• Investigate the performance requirements of the product
• Why specific materials are used in components
• Why a particular manufacturing process has been selected
• Quality control

40. HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT YOUR SON/ DAUGHTER?
Encourage them to check FRONTER
Check homework's and course information.
There will be a program of home learning tasks on FRONTER which
will be set on a regular basis. Hand-ins are electronic and are submitted
through Fronter.
Feedback on assignments is also given electronically. Students can
access this at home, make amendments and re-submit their work to
achieve or exceed their target grade.

41. GCSE Humanities
AQA 4070
Expectations and Course Content
Maggie Devine
Head of Humanities

42. Unit 1: Year 10
Culture and Beliefs
• Similarities and differences
• Influence of agents of
socialisation
• Nature v Nurture
• Migration/immigration
• Multiculturalism
• A Case Study
Environmental Issues
• Demands on the environment
• Renewable and non-renewable
resources
• Impact of human activity
• Environmental pressure groups
impact
• Tackling environmental
problems

43. Preparation Year 11 GCSE Exam
• A source book to accompany the exam will be
issued
• Updated Revision Booklets, available for a small
cost
• Practice exam questions
• Timed exam questions will also take place in
lessons

44. Unit 2 – Year 11
Prejudice and
Persecution
• Causes
• Types
• Case Studies
• Evaluation of preventions
Global Inequality
• Identification
• Causes
• Impact on MEDCs and LEDCs
• Addressing the issues
• Government and non-
government agencies

45. Year 11 Controlled Assessment
• Worth 25% of final mark
• 2000 words
• Investigation and planning 8-12 hours
• Final presentation, students work
independently, formal supervision, 3-4
hours.
• Focus question will change every year.

46. Written Exam Papers
• 2 Exam Papers + sources booklets (2 x 1 Hr
15 mins)
• Unit 1 = 2 questions on the core topics
• Unit 2 = 2 questions; one each on the option
subjects
• Unit 1 will be taken in May/June during Year
11
• Unit 2 will be taken in May/June during
Year 11

47. Expectations
• Consistent effort and co-operation
• Perform to ability
• Completion on weekly homework, e.g.
research tasks; practice questions; learning
key words

48. Why study Humanities?
• Develops understanding - social, political, religious, moral
• Develops communication and life long skills
• Allows you to consider issues from different viewpoints
• Develops skills for other subjects eg History, Geography, Sociology
• Develops knowledge of current affairs
• Interesting and thought-provoking subject!

49. MyChildAtSchool.com
• Online way to share attendance, behaviour
and progress information to parents.
• The website is live and shows lesson by lesson
attendance and punctuality.
• Through this password protected website we
provide parents with reports.