Mathematics

GCSE Reforms House Life

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

• All GCSE subjects are now graded and assessed using the new 9-1 structure; • 9 is the highest grade, awarded to the very best candidates in the subject. The official definition of a grade-9 candidate is that they will be ‘in the top 20% of those achieving grades 7-9 in the subject’; If you will not be in school for any reason, your parents should ’phone the boarding house by 8.30 am to let us know. • In every subject, the content is more demanding and the assessment more rigorous than previously; Apart from special occasions (eg. a family wedding), you are expected to be in school throughout the • The assessment will be mainly by exam. In some subjects such as Drama and Art, other types of assessment will term. be used only where they are needed to test essential skills. For further information about assessment, please speak to the relevant Head of Department. Requests for leave of absence from lessons must be put in writing by your parents to the Headmaster. The exception to this is an appointment to the dentist, physio etc where a telephone call to Mrs Cuff is Tiering of exams ok. The new GCSEs are only split into foundation tier and higher tier if one single exam paper does not give all students the opportunity to show their knowledge and abilities. Consequently, exams are tiered in Biology, Chemistry, French, If the request involves missing an afternoon activity/sport it is YOUR responsibility to obtain German, Maths, Physics and Spanish. permission from the member of staff who runs the activity that will be missed. If you have been ill and are going to be ‘off games’ on your return, please bring an explanatory note with you on your arrival.

New grading structure

Current grading structure

CARS

9 A* 8 7 A 6 5 4 C 3 D 2 E F 1 G U U

9 is awarded to those pupils achieving what would currently be a top A*: perhaps at around 96%+

GOOD PASS (DfE) 5 and above = top of C and above Schools are no longer AWARDING assessed on A*-C 4 and above = bottom of C and above statistics, but on ‘9-4’ statistics.

From the Summer Term of Lower 6th, 6th Formers may be allowed to bring their cars to school if they have been granted permission by the Senior Deputy Headmaster. Permission forms are available from the VLE. Under the updated structure, the ‘good You may not travel in a car driven by another pupil unless we received written (or email) permission from your parents and the parents of the driver. B pass’ for Maths and English is a 5, which is on the border between Your parents have to give permission for you to travel with the parents/friend of another pupil. a C and a B under the old system.