Raising Attainment S4 Parents’ Information Evening

1. Park Mains High School Raising AttainmentS4Parents’ Information Evening Mr. Michael Dewar Head Teacher Mr. Bryan Gillen Depute Head Teacher Please switch your mobile phone to silent

2. Aim – to raise the attainment of Park Mains pupils by .. • further developing the partnership between pupils, parents and the school. • providing more information to parents to enable them to provide the most appropriate support for their child. • making clear the strategies already employed by individual departments and the school as a whole .

3. Context • The economic climate we are currently experiencing. • Increased competition for jobs/apprenticeships/ F.E. & H.E. places. • Likelihood of pupils returning to school, last year return rates from S4 cohort were 93% into S5 and 86% into S6. - the highest rates in the last 8 years ! • Pupils returning are likely to take H / National 5 courses ; better grades in S4 provides a better platform for success in S5/6.

4. What teachers do …. • feedback to pupils on progress • provide regular homework with feedback • regularly assess pupils (diagnostic / summative) • feedback to parents (planners/letters/reports) • identify and encourage certain pupils to attend supported study 5

5. What can parents do to support departments ? • check planners daily for homework/teacher comments. • check planners for future assessment dates. • engage with the pupil re time management and strategies to ensure homework and revision for assessments will truly reflect the ability of the pupil. 3

6. What the school does .. • Pastoral Care staff - 1:1 advice as required/requested tutor group lessons e.g. revision techniques monitoring of pupil reports (17 Jan) • Special Assemblies - Options time (S2,S4,S5) - Prelim prep. (Nov.) • Monthly Assemblies - keep pupils on track (Att/Hwk/Effort) reminder of assessments reminder of support available

7. What the school does .. • Parents’ Evenings - Info = Thursday 16th Jan Interview = Thurs. 24th Jan crucial parents attend to discuss pupil progress. (two way process) • Depts. / SMT – tracking of pupil progress pupil target setting identifying specific pupils for Dept / SMT interview

8. What can parents do to support the school ? • Attend parents’ evenings. • Discuss content of Pupil Reports with their child. • Encourage pupil to act on comments from reports. • Encourage pupil to access available supports. 7

9. What can parents do to support the school ? • Assure yourself via discussion that your child has an effective revision routine. • Oversee creation of Revision Timetable for pupil. (blanks available from school)

10. What pupils should do .. • Attendance / Homework / Effort (especially revision) • TALK to class teachers pastoral care teacher year head parents older siblings /friends with previous successful experiences • Use Support subject specific items provided (see handout) Past papers (SQA website) Recommended websites (see handout)

11. What can parents do to support pupils ? • Attendance - emphasise importance of. • Homework - assist and monitor • School support - encourage pupil to engage with appropriate support when necessary. • Keep meaningful dialogue going. • Ensure not overdoing it. Balance of work/time off • If concerned at any time, contact school. 5

12. The Prelims - National 5 • Thurs. 28th – Fri. 6th December 2013 • Study Skills – see pupil planners for advice • Help your child develop their most effective study skills • Pupils have had advice at S4 Tutorial classes 4

13. The Prelims - National 5 • Help your child with general preparation • Get study materials in subject order (buy card folders ?) • Any missing items – tell the subject teacher • Help create a ‘Study Timetable’ …..include weekends !! • Build in periods of relaxation / social activity • Ensure pupil uses available supports • Go over the actual exam timetable and ensure pupil is ready

14. National 4 Pupils • No SQA National Exam • Some departments will assess N4 pupils at prelim time as a progress check. • Pupils may also work on Added Value unit.

15. What successful pupils say … What was the main criteria for your success ? • consistent hard work • always ask for help when you need it • do plenty of exam type questions • self motivation • time management

16. What successful pupils say … How much time did you spend on homework each evening ? • 1 ½ - 2 hours How much time did you spend on revision for exams each evening ? • 2 ½ - 3 hours

17. What successful pupils say … What advice would you give to an S4 pupil ? • Pay attention in class.... it helps ! • Ask if you don’t understand • Utilise the support that is offered • Work hard • Take some time off to enjoy yourself.

18. How much study time each night ? Not unreasonable to assume a pupil works and revises …. 1 – 1.5 hours homework plus 1 – 1.5 hours revision each evening from say Mon. – Thurs. Plus some time at weekends.

19. The high attaining pupil will.. • have a high attendance rate (95%+) • give maximum effort in class • give of their best in homework items • have identified the study technique(s) that work best for him/her • Make good use of support available • Act on advice given by teachers 6

20. Useful info from school via .. • Pupil planner • School website • School newsletters • School Reports

21. Websites • www.ltscotland.org.uk/parentzone • www.sqa.org.uk past papers marking schemes SQA exam timetable • www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize • Subject specific websites (see handout)

22. Realistic progression .. Performance in the National 5 examination i.e. The grade achieved will be a key factor in determining a pupil’s suitability for progression into Higher in that subject.

23. Appeals – revised process • SQA Parental Leaflet – November • New system called ‘Results Services’ • Two parts to this service

24. Before results published... Exceptional Circumstances Service – (instigated by school before results are known) For pupils who have completed all the necessary internal assessments but have either been unable to attend the main SQA exam or whose performance may have been affected by an incident outwith their control e.g. bereavement or medical condition

25. After results published.. Post Results Service If a school has concerns about a pupil’s result they can submit a review request. This will consist of a clerical check and a marking review.