Post on 18-Aug-2020
Bushey Meads Sixth Form
A Centre Of Excellence
Welcome
• Mrs Ash- Assistant Head teacher in charge of Key Stage 5
• Mr O’Kelly– Head of Sixth Form
AIMS
• How to support your son or daughter
• Key dates and important tips from departments
• How to be successful• Who can help
A-Level is an Iceberg A-Level is a massive
jump in independent learning.
It is closer to University learning than it is GCSE
There is no spoon-feeding going on.
Think of your A Level course as an Iceberg. The lessons are the small but defining part above the surface but the important weight and depth are under the water
The Lessons
Independent Work
What can Parents do to help?
Support your son or daughter:
–Ask them about their courses –encourage them to talk
–Ask them about homework – why aren’t they doing any?
–Provide them with a place to work
–Check the Learning Gateway
–How many hours should they be working outside of lessons?
Voice of experience
What do students need to do to be successful?
A Level reform
Linear courses
As won’t count towards A2 anymore
THIS YEAR:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Psychology, Art & Design, Sociology, Business studies, Economics, Computing
English Lang/Lit – 2 year course, no As
How to be a
successful 6th Form
student - key
messages from
Faculties
If only I’d taken a language!
I just can’t believe I didn’t get into the university I wanted to go to. I
didn’t realise they’d want me to have a languages qualification. Now what am
I going to do??
AS Topics and sub-topics
1. Media
• Television
• Advertising
• Communication
technology
2. Popular Culture
• Cinema
• Music
• Fashion/trends
3. Healthy living / Lifestyle
• Sport/exercise
• Health and well-being
• holidays
4. Family / Relationships
• Relationships within the
family
• Friendships
• Marriage / partnerships
Unit 1 French or Spanish AS Level
• Unit 1 Listening, Reading and Writing
=70% of the total AS marks
Students will be given individual CD players which they control. The 2 hour exam is all on one paper and timing suggestions are given on it.
• Unit 2 Speaking French 35 minutes (20 minutes preparation time)Speaking= 30% of the total AS marks
AS Topics and sub-topics
1. Media
• Television
• Advertising
• Communication
technology
2. Popular Culture
• Cinema
• Music
• Fashion/trends
3. Healthy living / Lifestyle
• Sport/exercise
• Health and well-being
• holidays
4. Family / Relationships
• Relationships within the
family
• Friendships
• Marriage / partnerships
Support for students
• Students are offered one –to one support
with the class teacher as often as they
wish.
• All students see the Foreign Language
Assistant at least once a week from
October until the speaking exam. The
focus is purely oral.
ComputingHow to succeed
Applied ICT AS Level
Computer Science A Level
BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma-equivalent to 1 A level
Our top tips:
Don’t miss a deadline!
Keep up to date with classwork, home learning and independent study.
If you miss a lesson speak to your teacher as soon as you can and catch up with missed work.
Listen to feedback and act upon it!
Our top tips:
Ensure all work is backed up – get a USB external hard drive or use the cloud.
Read the exam specification and examiners reports and check your work against the standards.
Immerse yourself in everything related to computing. Read, watch and listen.
Learn to program and buy the recommended books. There are many online tutorials around, find one that suits your way of working.
HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE ASSESSED
•WRITTEN
•PHYSICAL
•VERBAL
AS PE THEORETICAL UNITS (60% OVERALL)
•SOCIO-CULTURAL STUDIES
•ACQUIRING MOVEMENT
SKILLS
•ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
• HOW TO HELP ?
1.A LEVEL PE TALK – Watch sport and talk theory (10%)
2.Read Quality Press for sporting articles on contemporary issues (eg drugs, health and fitness, deviance)
3.Encourage students to do wider research for homework tasks
4.Test on KEY TERMS – see glossary
5.Revise thoroughly for Unit tests (excellent guide on progress)
AS PE PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT (30%)
•PERFORMANCE IS
ASSESSED IN 2
SPORTS FROM 2
DIFFERENT ACTIVITY
PROFILES
• HOW TO HELP ?
• ENCOURAGE THE STUDENTS TO CONTINUE
PARTICIPATING IN SPORT !!
• FOCUS ON WEAKER AREAS EG BADMINTON,
TABLE TENNIS
• ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO DEVELOP FITNESS
LEVELS
English A Level Language & Literature
This is a 2 year course
How to be successful: Commitment / consistency / organisation
Working in and beyond the classroom
Reading widely - fiction and non-fiction
e.g. any work by David Crystal, Bill Bryson ‘English, the Mother
Tongue’, quality newspapers etc.
● Linear assessment: no modules available
throughout the year.
○ AS examinations: Summer 2016
○ A Level examinations: Summer 2017
● Mathematical requirement: Between 10% - 40%
mathematical content (dependent on science)
● Practicals: No Controlled Assessment (ISA), but 12
required practicals and an Endorsement
● Mathematical requirement: 10%
of marks in each assessment.
Details can be found on the AQA
website
● Practical requirement: 15% of
each examination will examine
understanding of practical skills.
●
● Mathematical requirement: 20% of marks in
each assessment.
● Practical requirement: 15% of each examination
will examine understanding of practical skills.
● Mathematical requirement: 40%
of marks in each assessment.
● Practical requirement: 15% of
each examination will examine
understanding of practical skills.
Study Skills
(a) Bullet points and practice questions
Instead of rewriting notes word for word (tedious!), you could write out revision bullet points, preferably
from memory. Use the AQA website to print out some practice questions and then use the mark scheme
to assess your work.
(b) Working with others
Another good way to process information is to explain it to others – teachers will tell you that they only
really understood some things when they had to teach them for the first time! If you can find a friend who
will partner you regularly, you can explain topics to each other.
(c) Use manageable chunks
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by a whole unit, module or topic but if you approach it week by week in
smaller chunks, it will feel manageable. But you have to be organised and work regularly to keep up with
the constant flow of new material.
Three units in Year 12
Core 1
Core 2
Statistics 1
Equally weighted
A-80%, B-70%, C-60%
All three exams will be sat
in June 2015
There are no January
exams
Less opportunities for
resit, so change mindset
and ensure best score on
first sitting
Progress tracking and
improvement
C1 PPE
Progress tracking and
improvement
Topic assessments- DIAGNOSE strengths and weakness
- THERAPY given through Maths Surgeries,
independent studies, directed support from
teacher
- TESTING will take place to check if
weaknesses have become strengths
Maths Folder
- Students are expected to maintain
a well organised folder containing:
- Classwork notes
- Homework
- Independent studies
- Exam paper questions
- Problem questions
Support and
Independent Studies
- Maths Surgeries on Tuesday
lunchtimes
- Sixth Form Maths study space in
G6
- Textbook CD
- MyMaths
- www.examsolutions.net
GCSE Maths v AS Maths
GCSE Maths – last
minute? May survive.
AS Maths – last minute?
No chance
The Arts
Drama and Theatre Studies
• Currently working on Unit 1.
• Deadline: End of this term.
• Keep notes on every lesson.
• Every lesson counts towards the final grade.
The Arts
Fine Art / Graphics• Food and Drink
theme final pieces to be completed by mid-November.
• Preparation work complete by mid-October
The Arts
Media Studies• Group films: by October• Research, outline
treatment, detailed treatment, storyboard and shooting script: early November
• Individual films: early December
• Exam preparation ongoing
The Arts
• Look at the grading criteria very carefully.
• 1st Assessment (Unit 23: The Inspirational Performer) due in November
BTEC Music
The Arts
Photography
• Starting with techniques workshops up to November
• Main body of coursework completed by February
The Arts
• Dedication
• Research independently
• Take part
• Be critical
• Experience the Arts
Social Sciences
Faculty
Head of Faculty: Ms Knowles
The Social Sciences Faculty
SubjectsBusiness Studies
Childcare
Economics
G and P
Law
Psychology
Sociology
Key StaffMs Hazell / Mrs Pinkus
Mrs Bowyer
Ms Hazell
Mr Arnold / Miss Bevan-Davies
Ms Knowles
Miss Brewer / Mrs Broome
Miss Brewer / Miss Bevan-Davies
Any concerns?
Contact us
School email is
the most
convenient way
Faculty Expectations
In LessonsAttendance and punctuality
Be fully equipped
lined paper - to include a margin
bring any text books required
current folder - to be organised
homework
Be fully prepared
all homework completed by the
deadline to an excellent standard
for all tests etc
Be active and not passive
Take responsibility for own learning
➢ questioning
➢ responding to feedback
➢ sharing what you find
Faculty Expectations
Independent Study
Directed by departments - on top of homework e.g.
take advantage of opportunity, such as drop-in clinics
further reading
reading a quality newspaper
watching the news or other relevant programme e.g. ‘Question Time’; documentaries
delving into ‘A’ Level Magazines
going back over notes
buddying - helping others
looking back over staff feedback given - acting upon it e.g. re-drafting part of an essay
visits - e.g. to courts, Parliament
Texts and Reading
Each department has a list of recommended texts - including extension texts for
students who wish to take their learning to a higher level
Students are expected to purchase core texts themselves - they have been given
the details of these books by their class teachers via a letter.
For some, it is recommended
that they subscribe to a magazine
Social Sciences Policies
Minimum pass mark for all tests and exams - generally 60% (sometimes higher
for individual students)
Failure to reach this minimum will lead to a compulsory re-sit
Pre-public exam - January - all students expected to pass
Not passing - re-sit opportunity - possible withdrawal from the course
For those not reaching their target grade - re-sit opportunity
To keep you informed
school assessments
test results
concerns
successes
It would be really useful to have
your email address - this saves us
masses of time
Succeeding At Humanities’ A
Levels
• Humanities A levels include Geography, History and R.S. (Philosophy and Ethics)
• Commitment
• Organisation
• Preparation
• Engagement
Remembering
COPE will help
you not just to get
by but also to
succeed
Geography• Exam Technique
• Exam Command
Words
• Extra reading
AS Units
Unit 1 Global Challenge 60% of AS marks
Unit 2 Geographical Investigations 40% of AS marks
Assessment
Unit Title Exam Time Format 1 Global Challenge
1hr 30min In Section A you will use the
resource booklet to answer data
response and short answer
questions.
In Section B you will also use the
resource booklet and your own
ideas to choose and answer a longer
essay question.
2 Geographical
Investigations
1hr 15 min You will answer one question on
Extreme Weather and one
question on Rebranding Places. The
questions require longer responses,
each with three parts, designed to
include data response,
investigation and evaluation skills
and related impacts/management
issues. You will be expected to use
the resource booklet and our own
ideas from fieldwork and research
carried out.
The Year 12 Topics
The History A level course is a new course offered
by OCR based on the updated A level
requirements. In Year 12 students study two
topics;
• The Early Stuarts and the Origins of the Civil
War 1603-1660 (“British Period Study”) + The
Execution of Charles I and the Interregnum
1646-1660 (“Enquiry Topic”)
• Democracy and Dictatorships in Germany 1919
– 1963 (“Non- British Period Study”)
Assessment at AS Level
(H105)- 2016• Stuarts – one paper of 1 ½ hours including two
questions on a unit of sources + one essay from
a choice
• Germany – one paper of 1 ½ hours including
one essay question from a choice of two and a
question on historical interpretation
• Students opting to take the full two year A level
will be examined on these topics at the end of
Year 13
Key Steps To Success In
History
• Answer the question- learn to recognise command words
• Structure your argument- remember the importance of finishing with a strong conclusion
• Remember PEEL when writing essays
• Remember to
interpret
sources in
context – know
the topic
R.S. (Philosophy and Ethics)
The course offered is the Edexcel specification
• To be successful in RS students should:
• Write/type up notes they have taken in lessons.
• Supplement their class notes with independant study.
• Be aware of issues in the world around them.
• Be on time, organised and focused!
• Complete homework.
• Be prepared to answer exam style questions in class.
• Answer questions using the PEEL structure.
• If you don't understand ask!
A Level Product Design
Year 12: project 60%, practical exam 40%Year 13: project 60%, written exam 40%
The Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (Professional Cookery) (QCF)
Course information:
● Health and safety in catering● Food preparation (sauces, fish, meat, poultry, cakes, pastries, desserts,
pasta)
Looking to the future…………..
To do well in A level D&T you should be:
creativeresilientorganiseddeterminedindependentan ideas persona problem solvera higher level thinkera good communicator
Careers:Product designEngineering (mechanical, electrical, civil)Fashion (designers, buyers, material specialists)Business managementSports and nutritionHospitalityLeisure and tourism
and many many more……………….
The Sixth Form Team
Assistant Head teacher in charge of Key Stage 5 – Mrs Ash
Head of Sixth Form – Mr O’Kelly
Assistant Head of Sixth Form – Mrs Hoskins
EPQ Coordinator – Mrs Neal
Learning Mentor – Ms Miller
Key Stage 5 administrator – Mrs Crane
Based in the Sixth Form Centre in order to provide day to day support and guidance
EPQ
An independent project based on a student’s personal interests
A stand alone AS qualification.
The only AS qualification with an A* grade
Develops the skills of research, follow through and completion
Highly regarded by universities and employers alike
EPQThis term students will: Develop a title / theme/ idea for their
project Complete initial research
Next term selected students will: Complete research
After AS exams selected students will: Finalise projects / products Present their projects to an audience
What can I do?
Be pro-active
Re-write my notes after lessons.
Re- work my essay responses/ ideas so that I understand them
Speak to my teachers, asking where I can improve.
Cut negative self talk.
Be honest – am I really working at the level I need to be at?
Perseverance
It is hard to do something difficult.
It is easy to give up when the going gets tough…
But learning to cope with difficulty, to become independent and adaptable is a vital part of education.
Intervention & Assessment
Settling in Check
–Next week, all teachers asked to make a judgement on how students have started the course.
–All concerns interviewed by 6th form team.
Intervention & Assessment
Assessments
– 4 Assessments over the academic year. Can be viewed on the Learning Gateway
27th November 2015
28th January 2016 – PPE results published
17th March 2016
29th April 2016
Consultation Evening– 24th February 2016
Examinations
– Commence 16th May
– A2 lessons commence 15th June
Pre Public Examinations
Week Beginning 11th January
Results to parents 28th January
Students who fail these examinations are in danger of being removed from the course
Opportunity to re-take – 29th February
Entry requirement for A2 in year 13 is a D grade
Students can no longer re take year 12 at the current school
CONTACT
Mrs Crane : 020 8955 8801
Ms Millar : 020 8955 8851