What is Key Stage Four Study?
Y10 is an exciting time for your child. They have chosen their options and are slowly starting to figure out their next steps beyond secondary school. As your child is beginning their KS4 study, here are some important pieces of information to help you understand what KS4 study is.
How is KS4 graded?
Depending on the qualification your child is studying, there are different ways in which the qualifications are ‘graded’. Below are two diagrams which detail the different qualification gradings we offer at Central.
Your child should aim to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English Language or Maths at the end of Y11. If they do not achieve this, they will have to resit in post-16 study.
What are the demands for KS4 study?
Increased academic demands in both the classroom and at home
Increased homework
Pupils expected to revise independently at home
Increased independence
External terminal examinations at the end of Year 11. In the case of Triple Science GCSE, this is 9 examinations in total. One of the English Literature exams is 2 hours and 30 minutes long. It is definitely a marathon that we need to prepare pupils for!
How best does my child learn?
Your child learns best when they are at school. Attendance is vital when preparing your child for KS4 study.
Repetition helps your child to form good study skills and helps them retain key learning in their long term memory. We need to help pupils develop more effective study skills and habits to increase success and reduce stress
The ‘Forgetting Curve’ study shows that pupils need to have good habits of retrieving learning so that their learning becomes ‘concrete’ and they remember. If pupils do not review learning, they quickly forget what they
have learnt.
What can I do to support at home?
There are many things that you can do to support your child with their KS4 studies:
Provide a quiet, calm study space where they can complete their homework and revision
Adopt a regular routine at home where your child completes their work
Consider rewards/ praise where appropriate
Use ClassCharts to see what homework your child has been set, track any detentions and see what praise points they have achieved
Use GCSE Pod and Sparx Maths to support revision
Limit screen time and phone use in the evenings to ensure that your child is working productively
Listen to your child about their worries and concerns – get in touch with the school if you want to discuss anything further
Use your specific Y10 area on our website to get the most up to date information:
https://www.lancasterhigh.lancs.sch.uk/students/year-10-examtimetable
Get in touch with the school if you have any questions or queries. Your child’s house tutor is your first point of contact.
What are the key dates for the year?
Week beginning 18 December: DC1 grades are emailed home to parents/ carers
25 January 2024: Progress Evening for Y10
22 February 2024: Parent Information Evening 2
Week beginning 1 April: DC2 grades are emailed home to parents
28 April 2024: Y10 mock exams begin for a fortnight
13 May – 17 May 2024 : Work Experience for all Y10 pupils
Week beginning 10 June 2024: mock grades are emailed home to parents/ carers
Week beginning 15 July 2024: DC3 grades are emailed home to parents/ carers
What is Work Experience and how does it help my child?
In May, your child has the opportunity to experience the workplace for a week. This is an incredible opportunity for your child to find out more about different career pathways, improve their social skills, become more responsible and independent and potentially determine their next steps post-16.
Your child has to organise their work placement in May. Placements must be finalised by 19 April 2024. It would be great if you could support your child in deciding what placement they would like to have and the organisation of the work placement.
If you have any queries about careers or post-16 study then please contact Miss Lilley at school.