July 2010 - Posts
My attention has been brought to the attached science lectures at the Gulbekian theatre in Canterbury. They are reported to be excellent presentations and may very well encourage our pupils to take up careers in science. I have attached the flier for these for your perusal. Why not make this one of your enrichment opportunities next year?
Somewhat late in the term but I know that this is at the front of your minds at the moment and may help those schools embarking on 3 year GCSEs navigate their way through the range of courses and pathways involving new and old specifications. At this stage we do not know what will be happening with 2013 or 2014 KS4 Tables. Recent DfE guidance… (my emboldening!) ‘Based on current criteria, to be included in the KS4 Tables science indicator, pupils can do a mixture of old and new science specifications as long as they take the right combinations. ( Information on what the science combinations are is available on the Tables website - see attached link http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/schools_09/s5.shtml and see extract below) The 2 A*-C GCSEs science indicator doesn't discriminate against specifications although of course we would want to encourage pupils to take the new specification. But where we assume pupils will embark on their GCSE science studies early meaning, for instance, they will have started their science GCSE before the new specifications are introduced and then starting additional science after the new specifications have been introduced both will count towards the indicator’ QCDA science subject experts have also confirmed with that there is no reason to stop people mixing the old and new single science qualifications in the science indicator, although it would be better (for the learner) if they took the new specification. ExtractScience IndicatorPercentage of pupils achieving at least two GCSEs at grades A*-C and equivalent. To be counted in the indicator the pupil must have achieved grades A*-C in:
- GCSE Science ('core') and GCSE Additional Science; or
- GCSE Science ('core') and GCSE Additional Applied Science; or
- GCSE Applied Science Double Award; or
- GCSE Science and GCSE Environmental and Land-based Science; or
- Level 2 BTEC First Certificates and First Diplomas in Applied Science at pass, merit and distinction; or
- OCR Level 2 National Awards and National Certificates in Science at pass, merit and distinction.
- Intermediate Science GNVQ; or
- Pupils will have to have taken GCSEs in all three of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, but to be counted need only have attained grades A*-C in at least two of the disciplines.
- Pupils who have taken GCSEs and/or GCE AS levels early in all three of Physics, Chemistry and Biology will also be counted, but need only have attained GCSE grades A*-C and/or GCE AS grades A-E in at least two of the disciplines.
- Until they are phased out, GCSEs covering the old Key Stage 4 programme of study (Double Science, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Applied Science Double Award) will count.
Only these combinations will count in the indicators - others may be taken but must be in addition, rather than instead of these combinations
Please find attached a brief document which summarises findings from visits to Kent schools during 2010. This report explains student perceptions of science and offers some ways forward for increasing the uptake of post 16 science subjects.
Please find attached updated information on the 14 - 19 developments (or cuts!!!!).
Here is the second part of the power point mentioned in the post below.
Attached is PART 1 of a zipped power point presentation which has a range of useful slides which can provide the basis of APP display (should you be thinking of this). There are some useful level mountains and some "I can" posters for each AF which are more student friendly. Download and have a look! The hyperlinks from slide one will not work when pointing to the slides in the second section. You could try amalgamating the two after download to get it back and fully functioning. It would not let me upload the large ppt in one go. Sorry.
Attached to this post is a zipped file with suggestions of activities / learning targets which can be used to assess each of the AF's and their threads. The file contains:-
Learning targets and examples for AF1–5
Learning targets across all Assessment Focuses (levels 2–8)
A Level Ladder template
Examples of Learning mats that can be complied to display a pupil or group's targets
A template for a Learning mat
Whilst APP as a process is under review by Government, the general principles behind APP (that is using Assessment for Learning) are solid educational principles and can be used to support students and teachers in both learning and the assessment of that learning..
Further guidance on learning targets can be found at http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/312383
I have attached a paper which gives some guidance as to requirements for KS3 assessments over the near future. Following the coalitions decision to scrap the new KS3 descriptors, the guidance sheet makes clear what should be done, to whom and when!!
I have just received news of this free enrichment opportunity. Book now to avoid disappoitment.
You are invited to bring a group of year 10 students to this half day event at a SEPnet Partner university campus.
The event covers ‘Energy and Energy Resources’ as detailed in the GCSE specification, and includes:
An introductory talk on energy in the world around us
An exhibition of hands on activities exploring energy and its use
A quiz to reinforce the material covered Dates and venues:15th September, AM or PM - University of Southampton16th September, AM or PM - University of Southampton23rd September, AM or PM - Royal Holloway, University of London24th September, AM or PM - Royal Holloway, University of London Please see attached (zipped) flyer for more information. For bookings or any questions, please contact Clare Harvey. Clare HarveyGCSE Project Coordinator and Outreach Officerclare.harvey@sepnet.ac.uk+44 (0)7702 363731www.sepnet.ac.uk New dates and venues:21st September, AM or PM - University of Sussex22nd September, AM or PM - University of Sussex22nd November, AM or PM - Queen Mary, University of London23rd November, AM or PM - Queen Mary, University of London