Two Year GCSE

…make the right choices…

It is extremely important that students make the right choices when selecting their subjects to be taken at GCSE. Subjects can be broken down into two groups: the core subjects that will help students in life and are expected of them later by universities and future employers and those that students should choose because they would like to take them.

The core subjects (English Language, Mathematics, Dual Award Science and ICT) are taken throughout the two years. For the second group of subjects, students will study three different subjects in each term of the first year. They then have a much better idea of which of these subjects they would like to take at GCSE in the second year.

Alongside this formal subject tuition, there are also lessons on Learning to Learn and Study Skills, a PSHE programme, a weekly sports session, educational and fun trips and Supervised Independent Study.

In the Spring and Summer Terms of the second year of the two year GCSE programme, students will start Examination Practice Periods to assist them in preparation for their exams. These take place instead of the Activities Programme and are designed to maximise results in the summer exams.

Example of a Two Year GCSE timetable

PT Sessions

The Head of GCSE’s role is to assist, develop and monitor educational and personal growth. Each student has both formal and informal meetings on a weekly basis with the Head of GCSE. Every month each subject tutor produces a report for each student, including a performance grade and an effort grade. The Head of GCSE goes through these reports with the student on a one-to-one basis, rewarding and congratulating areas of strength and investigating, assisting and remedying areas of weakness. It is only through this close, personal contact that we can make sure the student makes the most of their time at Lansdowne. Copies of these monthly reports are sent home to parents and the Head of GSCE is happy to discuss any concerns.

To keep records of their time and progress as a member of the Lansdowne GCSE department, we issue Student Handbooks to each student. This is used as a homework diary, a timetable resource, a record of their academic performance, a time management tool, as well as helping them organise and plan their coursework and exam revision.

Homework

Homework is an essential part of teaching and learning at Lansdowne and all GCSE students are expected to complete homework punctually and to the best of their ability. We run a series of Supervised Independent Study (SIS) sessions to help students work during College hours. This teaches them a valuable lesson in the discipline of independent study and time management. These sessions take place in the Study Centre with tutors on hand should students need help and advice with their work.

We believe that it is essential to enjoy your time studying at Lansdowne and an integral ingredient is maximising your time within the College so a balance can be struck between work and fun at home. Therefore although students receive five periods of Supervised Study periods per week during the school day, time should also be set aside each day at home for the effective completion of work outside the classroom.

EPPs

In January, students will start Examination Practice Periods (EPPs) on a weekly basis in place of the Activities programme, in which each student sits a test under timed conditions in the hall where they will eventually sit their public exams; this plays a central role in the Lansdowne learning process. Successful negotiation of any exams, require a combination of knowledge and technique. A very common complaint is, “I know it but I can’t get it down on paper”. Thus this ‘show you know’ scheme operates during the term before their GCSE exams and gives the student the opportunity to develop and refine their examination strategies and techniques. It also goes a long way in eliminating the fear and stress associated with the examination hall.

Learning to Learn and Study Skills

At Lansdowne we recognise that every student has their own particular learning strengths and weaknesses. As a result, in the GCSE programme it is our aim to understand each student’s unique learning style and ensure that they tailor their learning at Lansdowne to this style, ensuring optimum performance and achievement. Through sessions on “Learning to Learn”, students build up and effective learning ‘toolkit’ that will make studying more efficient and productive, and essentially more enjoyable. Alongside this, students also concentrate and improve their study skills, attending such sessions as ‘how to take effective notes’, ‘Time Management Strategies’ and ‘Confidence Building’. When students approach their examinations, these sessions then focus on examination technique and revision planning. Once again, this is all predicated on our belief that successful education and examination requires a combination of subject knowledge and the skills and strategies with which to transfer this onto paper, to ‘show you know’.

Monitoring and Reporting

All Lansdowne students are monitored carefully in order to maximise their potential and deal with any problems. Subject tutors issue internal grades on each student they teach to The Head of GCSE on a monthly basis, who then in turn discusses these with each student on a one-to-one basis. These grades not only monitor attainment and effort but also homework, performance in Examination Practice Periods and punctuality and absenteeism, allowing us to gain a full picture of a student’s progress. Copies of these monthly reports are sent home to parents and the Head of GSCE is happy to discuss any concerns.

Full written reports from the subject tutors and the Personal Tutor are sent twice in the Autumn and Spring Terms and once in the Summer Term. Parents’ Evenings are also held each term when parents can meet up with the subject tutors and The Head of GCSE.

Students are expected to be punctual for and attend all lessons unless there is a very good reason for not doing so. Parents are informed if a student does not attend on a daily basis and we ask that parents inform the College if a student is ill and is therefore unable to attend College. Permission for any absence during term-time other than for illness must be sought in advance from the Head of GCSE.