Do you have a Year 11 doing GCSE this summer?

DD was predicted 8 in Maths and both lots of English and got exactly that. Very happy with that and all her other results.

Congratulations Atia

Yay, I found it!

Predicted:
Maths - 9
English - 7 (in both)

Achieved:
9 for maths (227/240 which was only 1 more than his mock result, having predicted himself 234, lol)
8 for both English (OCR) - got 128/160 for both, pleasingly

DS is predicted:

Maths - target grade 8/9 (ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaa!) but projected grade 7

English Lit - target grade 7, projected grade 5

English Lang - target grade 7, projected grade 5

I guess the school thinks he is able and can achieve, but at the time of the projections just wasn't putting in the work. He has stepped up massively since Easter but whether this is going to be too little, too late, only time will tell.......

DS is predicted:

Maths - 8 (but he thinks he'll get a 7)
English Literature - 7 (but could get an 8)
English Langauage - 6/7

But he's definitely much better at Eng. Lit than Eng. Lang so I would expect possibly a two grade gap between those two.

Maths and English Lang - 8
English Lit - 6

High performing large comprehensive (truly comprehensive intake)

DD Y11 at mixed comprehensive. She scored (and is predicted) 7s in both English exams and in Maths.
Previously she had been predicted A* in English, but the predictions were downgraded at the start of Y11, I think this was because the teachers aren't confident about exams or grade boundaries, as DD did really well in Y10 summer exams.
DD is hoping to study English at A level.

DS1 is predicted 7s for both English and 6 for Maths. He's at the local comprehensive.

Meant to add that DD is at a state girls only secondary school(currently outstanding rating) and is planning to stay on and do A' Levels. She needs 8 GCSEs, 5 of which need to be A-C and level 7 in Maths and English to study them at A Level. She wants to do English Lit but not Maths.

Yes.
DD mock results were:
Maths -8
English Lit-9
English Lang-9
Predictions the same.

Thanks Cat whatever it means I think its blooming hard and feel for the children nowadays.

Sostenueto..I have no idea what that means...maybe 'classical' means what I call old school practical criticism? I just teach the way I was taught...which to some might be 'classical''!

My gdd was told when analyzing texts to do it the classical way rather than modern way, I'm not sure what she means at all, whether she means classical language compared to modern? Doesn't make sense to me but then I'm not that intelligent.

Subject specific words tend to relate to how a writer has conveyed an idea/portrayed a character etc. So: Metaphor is method, as is dramatic irony. It can also be grammar terms- lexical field, verb,complex or compound sentences...it's all about picking apart the writers' craft and looking at how they shape their work.

MOUSEMARY forgot to tell you to look up command words too for your child. These are words used in exams to tell you what they want you to do. You should find these on the exam boards sites too.

Hi Portico I agree with what you said, so difficult to get enough material at right level for all pupils. Oh for the days of one textbook being handed out lol! Good luck to all those sitting their exams in a few weeks. We have another year to wait. I know you will all do your best and at the end of the day don't worry just eat cake x

Hi all. Yes it is very difficult to find the right books and info for your children's abilities. Also to find extras like subject specific language etc. My gdd says the top sets get more info and help than the lower sets. She has friends in lower sets and she sometimes helps them by passing on extra help like SPL to help them. She does not pass on anything she shouldn't but she believes the more information you have the more chance you have to better yourself and she feels that everyone should have info about helpful books etc and I agree with her.

Thank you very much, Sostenueto.

I read somewhere (probably on here!) that ordinary schools do not have the time/expertise to focus on the extra twiddly bits needed for 8/9 grades in English which sounds alarming. Dd's school sets for Maths/Science, but not English. I can see for the school that to spend time on a few outliers would not be productive, so I feel it behoves me to step up to the plate and find out how to best help dd.

Hi Sostenueto

I bought the Ed Excel one last week, for maths Higher that is. I am taking it back, as I do not have the student book. The practice book does not have any examples. I think I will keep the Pearson Higher and Extension books. I also have access to Active Teach, so may use the downloadable unit tests.

But, I do agree. It is very hard to find any descent maths book with questions pitched at the right level. Certainly, don't get any work solutions. Wish they would instead of final answers.

I have just got the aqa booster books in maths and all sciences. They are great comprising exam questions for what grades you want. They do different grades too. They have the answers and worked questions that show you what is needed for full marks and lots of tips. They do for edexcel too and are by Collins. The reason I got these is because level 8 and 9 questions for my gdd in the revision guides do not have enough questions at this level. But like I said they do level 4 and 5 too.

Hi mousymary sorry for delay in replying. Find out the exam board your child is doing and go on their site for the subject you want. Type in the search bit subject specific language and you can get it like that. Alternately just type out subject specific language for new GCSE in.... (Whatever subject) and it will come up there as well in google or whatever search engine you use. Hope this has been a help.

where does one find the subject specific terminology? Is there a list of "approved" terms? Is it ok for a candidate to have the gist of something or do they have to hit certain "Englishy" words like "convey" to get the marks?

Also while I have it fresh in my mind,make sure they are coached to answer the question 'How...?'. The examiner wants to know by what methods the writer has communicated ideas to a reader/audience. This is where students need to use subject specific terminology to discuss method AND it's impact on the audience/reader. Many students chuck credit away by translating a quotation into modem English rather than analysing the technique employed by the writer. This is where the top marks are...

Big Fully Mint:context at GCSE for AQA is worth getting right. They need to consider the context of production (time/culture of text's 'birth' for want of a better word)and reception...so how does a modern audience receive the universal issues explored in 'Macbeth' that are still true today (ambition but not at any cost for example) but also how attitudes might be different to,say,weird sisters. It goes beyond the old 'social/cultural/historical way of looking at things. I am sure your child's school will have covered this Assessment Objective. Just encourage use of key words like 'the audience' 'the reader'...

Sorry, I forgot to say that the above www.litcharts.com site does s not free.

Quick an to Cat0115.... Have you seen the Cambridge Press AQA GCSE Eng Lit books. Are they impressive, or are there any other publishers that are well- liked....Hodder, OUP.