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Facilitating the Transition to the New A Levels Rob Peacock Carmel College

History  Long history of success with modular A levels  Removal of January exam

 2015 A level results:    

Pass rate: 99.3% A*-B: 58.3% A*: 10.6% 3 Year ALPS T grade 2

The Advantages of Modularity  Recognising and rewarding progress  Identifying and addressing underperformance

 Building confidence: particularly disadvantaged  Raising aspirations and achievements

 The opportunity to resit  Views of HE  Cambridge  Medical Schools

College Response  Embrace linearity!  No AS for new specifications

 Why?      

Assessment methodology at AS and A Level Views of some staff/subjects Increased teaching time “Smelling the roses” Increased resilience?

Cost: £140K pa

 Reduction in the number doing 4 subjects

Challenges  Culture  16+ years of modularity  25% teachers with no experience of linearity in own education  44% teachers no experience of teaching linear A levels

 Perceptions  Public  HE

Aims  Overcoming the practical challenges of phased implementation  Providing solid enrolment advice for pupils choosing their A Level options  Supporting pupils and building confidence in the absence of modular exams and coursework  Developing solutions for students who rethink their choices during the teaching of a two year course

Overcoming the Practical Challenges of Phased Implementation  Scene setting  Discussion

 Internal assessment  Staff development time  College calendar  Evolution not revolution Protect external exams

 Lack of exam board materials  Training events

Providing solid enrolment advice for pupils choosing their A Level options

 Advice and guidance on enrolment  2 year courses

 Impact of change in proportion doing 4 subjects  Improved in year retention in subject

 Maintaining good retention between L6 and U6  Change culture

Supporting pupils and building confidence in the absence of modular exams and coursework

 Positivity and self belief  Understanding progress  Target grades

 Structured rigorous approach to assessment  October  January  June

 Building skills and measuring progress  Marking time  Consultation with students, parents and guardians  The way forward

Developing solutions for students who rethink their choices during the teaching of a two year course

 Maintaining good retention between L6 and U6  AS Exams  Alternative courses  General Studies  Critical Thinking  EPQ

Perspectives

 Staff  Students

The Future

 Change to the College year?  Currently finish July 7th  Do we extend?  AS levels

 Review in the light of experience

Facilitating the Transition to the New A Levels Questions?