Year 8 Information Evening

Thursday 13th November 2014

Aims of tonight’s session

• To gain a greater understanding of pupil progress and meeting targets

• To explore how Year 8s should be as learners in order for progress to be sustained

• Year 8-9 Options

• Strategies to support pupils at home

Year 8 LearnerBuilding Independence

• Is responsible for having full equipment (full pencil case, planner, spare paper, folder in which to place work completed in the lesson and homework)

• Has excellent attendance and punctuality to school and lessons• Completes tasks set in lessons• Completes homework• Meets deadlines• Is aware of target grades and if progress is being made• Able to set and review targets through feedback on green stamp• Uses school Gmail to contact teachers and other pupils

Consolidating Independence

• Grasping opportunities to extend and improve learning:– Using and accessing resources (alternative text

books, LP resources, weblinks)– Adopting a creative approach to learning (peer-to-

peer support; podcasts; start your own study group; email peers via google mail)

– Read around the subject!

ICT access in school

• School library has a number of computers & laptops available for use

• School library is open from 07:30 every day• Late bus on Mondays• Have a conversation with your subject teacher

about using resources in departments• Homework Club Tues - Thurs

Consolidating Independence

• Fully engaged and sustaining concentration:– Listening with purpose– Asking questions to clarify and further

understanding– Asking questions out of curiosity “what if?”– Being involved in all parts of a lesson– Using time in lessons effectively and with purpose

Consolidating Independence

• Learning collaboratively and independently:– Collaborate with a sense of purpose and

commitment– Show initiative and drive (not needing the teacher

to direct)– Know where to study and how to study

Consolidating Independence

• Demonstrate an intellectual and enquiring mindset:– Think rigorously in detail and depth– Be persistent to overcome frustration– Problem solve– Think creatively and imaginatively– Challenge yourself

Consolidating Independence

• Knowing how to improve:– Plan learning– Know what support is needed and ask for it– Engage in discussion with subject staff and peers– Bounce back, be resilient (be able to deal with

failure)

Accelerated Reader

Reading

• All pupils will be guided in their choice of reading books and will be expected to have their reading book with them each day

• We will read four times a week• Pupils will be expected to read at home• The reward will be in their success but there

will be quizzes and competitions to keep them motivated

Strategies to Support at Home• Talk to your child about their homework (not have you

done it!)• Encourage reading....(any reading is better than none!)• Surf the net with them! Research topics together• Encourage your child to attend extended curriculum

courses (Mondays), trips and excursions to extend learning

• Recognise achievement and progress• Keep in contact with subject teachers – we are here to

help

Year 9 Curriculum

• English – 5 periods• Maths- 5 periods• Science – 6 periods (individual sciences)• RE – 4 periods• Hi or Gg- 3 periods• Tech – 3 periods• Languages – 3 periods• ICT – 2 periods• Ar/Mu/Dr/Pe – 3 periods

Expressive Arts in Year 9• Your child will choose their Expressive Art for GCSE

courses in June 2015. This is when we start Year 9.• Pupils will begin GCSE courses and skills in earnest.• Pupils are not allowed to take up ‘new’ Expressive

Arts subjects in Year 10 when GCSE choices are made so select with care

• Your child studies two out of four at the moment. Your child must select one of the two courses they are currently studying from:– Art –Drama–Music– PE

History and Geography

• At present your child studies History and Geography.

• Pupils will make a choice between History or Geography to study in Y9 – 11.

• Pupils will begin GCSE skills and relevant content in June 2015

Timeline

• November 2014 – assembly by Miss O’Sullivan

• November 2014- letters handed out to pupils

• Friday 11th January 2014 – Deadline for handing forms in to Mrs Digby in room B101

• We can’t guarantee both selections but last year all pupils were able to take their selected two subjects

Questions

• Which two subjects do I enjoy the most?• Which two subjects am I best at?• What do my parents think?• Am I taking a long term view?• What does my mentor think?• Are their any possible career links? • Your teachers are available for help if needed