CONYERS

SCHOOL

An Introduction to GCSE for parents

Conyers School

Welcome

• Neil Skerry – Director of Progress &

Standards

• Dr Richard Lodge – Head of English

• Mrs Anne Baker – Maths Lead Practitioner

• Mrs Jade Hawthorne – Head of Humanities

Conyers School

Aims of this evening

• To provide an overview of the GCSE years

• To explain key changes to GCSE.

• To indicate ways to support your child in

their studies.

• To highlight key messages for parents

from different subject areas

Conyers School

It’s a tough jobA parent has to be an attendance officer, school partner,

provider of the tools for homework, banker, chef, laundry

maid, study buddy, project manager, sounding board and

advisor.

You have to listen, ensure there is a quiet area for your son

or daughter to work, help with organisation and homework,

know important dates, give encouragement and rewards

……and not nag!

Conyers School

Remember……

• There were not the distractions there are

now, when you were a student. Mobile

phones, games consoles, Facebook,

Snapchat, Instagram & the internet are

part of the student life now.

• But some distractions are the same, TV,

social life and …….the opposite sex.

Conyers School

We need your help

It is essential that all of our students are

supported at home as only 15% of students’

waking hours are spent in school.

Conyers School

The Big Picture

• No more modular exams

• No early entry

• Increased terminal exams

• Greater emphasis on Grammar,

Punctuation & Spelling in exams

• Tightened marking & exam board

moderation of remaining coursework.

Conyers School

Conyers School

Year 10 is a big year

• Can’t coast Year 10 then cram in Year 11.

• If students fall behind it’s very difficult to

catch up eg Art, Computing

• Good work habits need setting.

Conyers School

Conyers School

Important dates for you

• Week begin 17 Oct 2016 – Autumn progress data issued

• 8 Nov 2016 – Year 10 Tutor Evening

• Week begin 13 March 2017 – Spring Monitoring data

issued.

• 9 May 2017 – Year 10 Subject Consultations.

• 12 June 2017 – Year 10 school exams

• Week begin 3 July 2017 - Summer Monitoring data

issued.

Conyers School

You know your child!

They are all

individuals … and we

like them that way!

Conyers School

Changes to the GCSE exams

• Volume of exams (29)

• The length of time they go on for (6 weeks)

Conyers School

What can you do to help?• Establish routines / expectations early on.

• Homework– 1-2 hours per night

• Recap learning – ask / discussion – you do not

need to be an expert!

• Sleep – crucial

• Balance – social / sport / school

• Jobs – no more than 10 hours per week

recommended

Conyers School

Recognising

stress in your

child

Conyers School

Conyers School

If students are absent…• They need to catch up what they missed.

• They need to understand what they have

missed

Lesson resources are on google drive

Gaps are the enemy of

success as most learning is

sequential

Conyers School

Use the provisions in school

• Library – open before school, at lunch

times and after school

• Subject sessions offered as intervention –

lunchtimes & after school

Conyers School

If you are concerned please

contact the school:• Ian Livesey (Year Manager)

• Tutor

• Subject teacher / Head of Subject

• nskerry@conyers.org.uk

Conyers School