Everything parents need to know about changes to the GCSE grading system in England

GCSE exams are just around the corner, which means grades and grading scales are going to be an important point of reference your child. With all the recent changes to the grading system and exam format in England, it can certainly be a confusing time for parents and students! To ensure you're up to date with all these alterations, we've written a blog post covering one of the biggest changes; the new GCSE grading system.

What is changing exactly?
The main change parents and students are going to see is a completely new way of grading. The existing A*-G GCSE grades are going to be gradually phased out and a numerical grading system of 9-1 will be taking its place.

What does the 9-1 grading system mean exactly?
In the new 9-1 grading system, 9 will be the highest achievable grade and 1 will be the lowest. For students who fail to achieve the minimum points needed to reach a grade 1, there will still be a grade U.
When directly comparing the 9-1 system against the current A*-G grades, it can get a little trickier. The new scale has been specifically designed so there’s no direct read across from the old to new grades. However, you can expect certain numbers to represent a range of grades taken from the old spectrum.

Students can expect:

• Grades 9, 8 and 7 to represent a range of A*-A
• Grades 6, 5 and 4 will range from B to C
• 3, 2 and 1 will represent a range of D to G.

Grade 5 is going to be considered a ‘good pass’, which is roughly equivalent to a low B or high C. This means that an average pass, is going to become a little harder to achieve compared to the older Grade C. New style performance tables are also going to be shifting away from the A*-C and will be predominantly focusing on students achieving 9-5 grades.

When are these changes happening?
You can expect to start seeing the new grade scale being introduced in England this summer, as this is when we see the new style English Language, English Literature and Mathematics exams take place. These subjects were the first to undergo the GCSE reform and were taught from September 2015, with the intention of using the new 9-1 grading system.
Another 20 subjects will have the 9-1 grading in place for 2018, with the rest following in 2019. It’s important to be aware that during this period of transition, your child may receive a mix of number and letter grades.

Why has this new grading system been introduced?
There are a few reasons behind this major change, the first being that the new 9-1 system signals that GCSE’s have been reformed and aren’t the same as they used to be. Ofqual have also highlighted that the new grading scale will be much better at differentiating students of different abilities. More specifically it should be able to reveal differences between students at the higher end of the spectrum, as grades 9,8 and 7 will replace the older A and A* grades.
New GCSE content is set to be much more challenging, with fewer grade 9’s awarded compared to the current A*s.

Where can I find out more information?
For more information on the new grading system, AQA have a great web page and short video here: http://www.aqa.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/policy/gcse-and-a-level-changes/9-1
If it is new grade descriptors you’re after, then this page on gov.uk will be extremely helpful: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grade-descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1
Finally, if you just want general details on the changes to GCSE and A-Levels, then head to the official Ofqual page: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual.

The benefits of starting revision early

Exam season is slowly sneaking up on us. This means that, before long, students are going to be busy with revision schedules, lesson notes and study posters. Even though exams aren’t for a few months yet, it’s all too easy for students to put off any type of ‘revision’ until the last minute, cramming everything into the precious weeks beforehand. Here at Tutor Doctor we’ve seen up close just how beneficial starting revision early can be. Not only are kids better prepared and less stressed, but their final exam grades are likely to be much better than they expect!

So what are the benefits of starting revision early?

Less Stress!
There really is no better feeling for students than being prepared for upcoming exams, especially when students know they’ve put the work in. Getting on with revision sooner rather than later means much less stress and anxiety, plus it allows students to study at their own pace rather than exhausting themselves with all-nighters a week before the big day.

Explore different revision techniques
Having time on their side means that students can explore different revision techniques rather than just sticking to one. This can involve a whole host of different ways to study. For example, students can practice writing out their notes, then try typing them up -- repetition is often an excellent and effective way to absorb information. If this isn’t working then colourful visual posters containing key pieces of information is a fun way to learn. They can even put these posters up on their bedroom wall so they become a part of everyday life and therefore get absorbed more deeply.

There’s no rush (no cramming necessary)
Studying for exams early means that students get to take their time with revision and avoid last minute cramming or rushing through topics. It also means that the same amount of time can be allocated to each subject, instead of leaning toward favourite topics and avoiding the trickiest. Another huge benefit is that getting on with exam preparation now allows students enough time to identify areas in which they aren’t feeling as confident, which means they can go over areas they’re finding particularly tricky and get help if they need it.

Time to practice exam techniques
As they say, practice makes perfect. The earlier students start revising, the more time they’ll have to complete practice papers from previous years and get used to the format. All too often students have fantastic knowledge but their exam technique is lacking, which ends up affecting their final grade. There’s a whole load of practice papers available online to download and use, or teachers can provide tests from previous years. Just make sure they’re completed under timed conditions!

How to encourage your kids to tidy up after themselves

Getting your kids to tidy up after themselves is certainly a never-ending battle. In fact, teenagers and older kids are often much worse than younger children, so encouraging tidiness early on will help set up good habits. Here at Tutor Doctor we know encouraging great habits like this is much easier said than done. That’s why we’ve come up with a few simple and straightforward methods for you to encourage your children to be tidy and stay that way!

Set a good example
Children are often much more sensitive to what we do rather than what we say. That’s why setting a good example when it comes to tidying up after yourself is vital, especially if you want them to adopt the same habits. Taking pride in looking after your home and keeping your belongings in order will increase the odds that your kids will have a positive attitude towards doing the same. Showing them how it’s done and letting them know you expect the same too, will help tidiness become the norm!

Clearly define expectations
Letting your kids clearly know specifics in regards to tidiness expectations makes it much easier for them to understand and follow. Break it down into easy rules- here’s an example of a few:

• Make your bed every morning
• Put dirty washing in the laundry pile
• Hang up clean clothes
• Put all toys away after playtime
• Put dirty dishes in the sink/dishwasher
• Throw rubbish/empty packets in the bin

If you find they’re really struggling to follow these guidelines, why not turn them into a fun poster that you can stick on the fridge or on their bedroom wall? Not only will this act as a friendly reminder, you can even put a progress tracker on there too. Giving incentives by offering a reward if they tidy up for a whole month is bound to get them motivated!

Make sure everything has a place
Making sure that everything in your house has a place will help hugely when it comes to your kids staying tidy. If they know exactly what lives where, then when they use something they’ll be more inclined to return the item to its ‘home.’ When items just live in piles or don’t have a specific place then it’s easy for clutter to build and can confuse your child as they don’t know where to put away things once they’ve used them.

Teach them how to care for their belongings
Teaching your kids to care for their own things is going to help them be more respectful towards them. This means notions of putting things away after using them will become second nature- meaning no more mess!

Reduce the number of toys
We guarantee your child has accumulated way too many toys over the years, meaning more items to leave out and more to tidy away! Try having a clear out and going through of all of their toys, games and books. Let your kids only keep the items they truly love and give the rest away to charity. We bet they’ll still have more than enough to play with and activities to do- there just won’t be as much clutter.

Stick to a routine
Establishing and sticking to a routine is a great way to encourage tidying. Start by making sure your child tidies away all their toys, books and anything else they’ve been doing before they eat dinner or go to bed. Other easy practices include putting dirty clothes in the laundry when they get changed into their pjs, clearing up empty packets and wrappers after eating something and putting books and papers back onto the bookshelf or desk when they’ve finished their homework. All of these easy routines will be sure to set up great tidying habits for life.

The benefits of young people taking part in sport

For many parents, encouraging their kids to get involved in sports is a struggle. However, recent studies have shown that participating in sports can have a positive impact on a child’s social and physiological well-being, meaning there’s never been a better time to make your kids health and fitness a top priority. Here at Tutor Doctor, we know how beneficial sports can be. Athleticism not only ensures your child is active but teaches valuable life-skills. Whether it’s gymnastics, football or swimming, we’ve shared 7 benefits of getting your kids into the action.

Community
Joining a sports team or club gives kids a sense of belonging and provides an excellent opportunity for them to make new friends. Being part of this external community away from their everyday school life can also mean that your child has a fresh start and can be completely themselves with a wide support system. This can be a very exciting feeling, especially as school can be tough for many kids.

Losing Gracefully
Taking part in sports regularly will mean at some point your kids will probably lose a race, a competition or miss a goal. No one likes a sore loser and they will quickly have to learn to dust themselves off and try again. Doing this will help them learn how to lose gracefully and embrace a competitive spirit.

Being Patient
Practicing sports skills and techniques requires a huge amount of patience and determination- after all it’s impossible to become a pro overnight! Practicing on a regular basis is going to be central if your child wants to improve in their chosen sport which can take months- years even. Patience is the key!

Dedication
Being part of a sports club or a team requires high levels of commitment and dedication. Showing up, being positive and willing to work hard at each practice can really boost your child’s belief in dedication, something that can be of benefit for the rest of their life. It’s even been found that participation in sport is linked to higher academic achievements at school.

Being a team player
Being involved in sports clubs is a fantastic way for your child to learn to be a real team player. Not only will they need to understand that communication is key but also realise that a team can’t succeed without working together.

Building self esteem
Sports and other physical activities have been found to positively contribute to the development of self-esteem in kids. A high-five from a teammate, a “well done” from a coach or even a really fun practice will help your child build character.

Selflessness
Sport, particularly team sports are an amazing platform that can help teach your kids to be less selfish. Often your child will have to think about what’s best for their team and not just what’s going to benefit themselves. Practicing selflessness regularly will also carve their personality as they head into adulthood.

5 ways you can help de-motivated kids succeed

All parents want their kids to thrive at school. But if your child is going through a phase where they’re feeling de-motivated then it can be difficult for them to perform to the best of their ability. Here at Tutor Doctor we know that kids struggling with de-motivation often avoid asking for help and don’t know how to get out of their ‘funk.’ That’s why we’ve put together 5 ways that you can help your child become motivated and inspired with learning again! Don’t forget- it takes time and patience to see results, so don’t expect miracles overnight.

1. Be a good listener
Kids with low motivation get frustrated easily, so it’s important you let them know that you’re there to listen to any problems they’re having. Whether acknowledging an issue with homework or just chatting about what’s going on at school, knowing they’re heard will help them get back on track. It’s also a great way for you to offer a more positive perspective.

2. Create a fun homework space
Homework isn’t something that many kids look forward to, especially if they’re already feeling de-motivated. Small changes such as jazzing up a homework space at home can make all the difference. Find a spot where they can be comfy but alert and let them make it their own. Fill it with fun posters, inspiring books, colourful folders and post-its. Even the most de-motivated child might start looking forward to sitting in their vibrant space and completing assignments. After all, learning doesn’t have to be boring -- it can be fun!

3. Celebrate little successes
When your child is feeling de-motivated, it is super important that you recognise and celebrate even the little successes. Whether that’s getting one good grade or completing a big project on time, verbally telling them you’re proud goes a long way. Positive recognition can even motivate your kids to want to achieve more, meaning they will work harder at school to get back on track.

4. Identify Goals
Sitting down with your child and getting them to identify some academic goals or career ideas is an easy way to help with motivation levels. Encourage them to spend some time researching their goals, or creating spider diagrams to find ways they can reach their aspirations. This should help them feel much more inspired and excited to try their best to succeed at school.

5. Encourage learning in new ways
A great approach to combat de-motivation within children is to try and spark new interests. Do this by encouraging learning in new ways such as heading to your local library together, finding interactive and interesting educational websites for your kids to explore or even spend the occasional weekend visiting local historical sites, art museums and zoos.

Guide to choosing GCSE subjects

For many students in year 9 (ages 13-14), this is the time of year they will need to start thinking about which GCSE subjects they want to study at Key Stage 4. Often there’s a wide range to choose from and deciding can be overwhelming for students, especially when they’re only just starting to think about their future. At Tutor Doctor we know how important it is for your child to choose classes they will enjoy but also have a good balance of subjects- after all they have to study them for two years! We’ve put together an essential guide to choosing GCSE subjects, which will not only help your kids make an informed decision but will also provide parents with all the important information so you can discuss their choices with them.

Are GCSE options really important?
The simple answer is yes! The optional subjects chosen in Year 9 will have an effect on decisions your child makes later on in life. It can also influence and shape their likes, dislikes, interests and potential careers they want to pursue when they get older. That’s why it’s so important for them to choose a broad and balanced set of GCSE’s, as well as pick subjects that they will enjoy and be able to achieve the best possible grades.

What choices do students get?
Your child’s school will provide them with lots of information about their pending GCSE choices for Key Stage 4, but it can be confusing so here’s the basics.

Core Subjects
Firstly, there are a few restrictions on pupils’ choices, so they don’t have free reign when choosing all of their GCSE’s. All schools have something known as compulsory subjects that have to be studied at GCSE level. One of the main reasons for these core subjects is to ensure all students cover a range of basic subject areas so they are fully prepared for further learning and future work prospects. These usually include:

• English
• Maths
• Science
• Some schools have other compulsory subjects, often relating to what area the school specialises in.

Optional Subjects
Moving onto optional subjects, these do vary from school to school and some have much more choice. Being able to make these decisions allows students to start making their own educational decisions and explore areas of interest for further education. One thing to bear in mind is that regardless of how many subjects your child has to choose from, they must be offered at least one course in four subject areas, otherwise known as ‘entitlement areas.’ These are:

1. Arts (including art and design, music, dance, drama and media arts)
2. Design and Technology
3. Humanities (history and geography)
4. Modern Foreign Languages

Vocational Courses
If your child doesn’t want to choose a traditional GCSE, many schools now offer vocational qualifications, which is a more practical kind of learning. Remember substituting a vocational course may be the right decision for some young people, but always make sure the course matches your child’s career aims and academic ability. For more information on vocational courses, look here.
Things to consider
What GCSE’s are needed for higher education?
Students that are already thinking about specific courses at college or sixth form should be aware that highly competitive A-Levels subjects, BTEC’s and Diploma programmes will be VERY interested in what GCSE’s subjects were studied. If this is the case, make sure your child checks beforehand whether any particular GCSE’s are required and ensure this is taken into consideration before they make their final choice.

Research!
Making sure you both sit down together and look at the course material carefully is super important and is sure to help your child make a more informed decision. This means looking closely at what topics are covered in the syllabus and the type of examinations involved. Different subjects also involve different learning styles, so this is something else to consider. For example- history is much more theoretical whereas textiles is more hands on! Getting your child to pick something that meshes their preferred learning style is certainly a smart move!

What is your child interested in?
Finally, it’s extremely important that your child really enjoys the GCSE subjects they study at Key Stage 4 and don’t choose something for the sake of it. Doing appropriate research (as mentioned above) is a great way to spark up interests and they’ll probably start to discover what excites them- after all learning should be fun! It’s also very easy for kids to get caught up in making decisions based on what their friends are doing or depending on what teacher is teaching a certain option. Making sure they avoid these pressures and embrace their interests is vital if they want to succeed.

Tutor Doctor’s Top Tip: If your child is struggling to decide between a few subjects, a pro and con list will be more than helpful!
If you or your child has any doubts, seek advice from teachers at school or a careers advisor.

Helping your child learn a second language

Being bilingual has so many benefits, which is why it’s such a valuable skill for any child to learn. However, learning another language can be tricky, so kids need as much encouragement as possible to master it. At Tutor Doctor we know that a parent’s attitude towards learning is crucial to a child’s success. That’s why we’ve put together some ways that you can support learning a language at home and help your child become fluent in no time.

Help your child make time to practice
A new language certainly can’t be learnt overnight and needs to be practiced. Helping your child set aside time every week for them to continue learning a foreign language is crucial for their success. Ensure they schedule in two or three 1-hour sessions a week at home, where they can either study solo or you can work with them. This dedicated study time will make sure they are constantly applying themselves and exercising using a second language. If your child doesn’t have this time, it may be easy for them to feel disheartened, as they will probably find they aren’t making any progress or are struggling to remember the vocabulary learnt.

Say a phrase every day!
Ask your child to say something to you in the second language they are studying every single day. Even if it is just a simple sentence, speaking it out loud will be sure to help them grasp new phrases and vocabulary much easier. As well as getting them to speak it out loud, also encourage them to explain exactly what they said to you.

Ask teachers for learning resources
Asking your child’s teacher for learning resources that can be used for language practice at home is a great way to always have suitable material to hand. This can include videos, books or flashcards. After all, memorisation is key, so anything that will help your kids remember the most common words and phrases easily is bound to help.

Utilise technology: Apps and Online
Alongside physical resources, utilising what technology has to offer is an innovative way to encourage learning a second language. As kids might have a short attention span, fun and interactive language games and apps are a helpful learning tool that can be used during study sessions or when the kids are bored at the weekend. Downloading and installing any software or apps onto your electronic devices will mean that your child can practice developing their language skills at any time!

Watch a TV show/movie in another language
Finding a cartoon or movie that interests your child and getting them to watch it in the language they’re studying is a fantastic way for them to learn without realising it. You can also change the settings to add subtitles, so make sure you pop these on beforehand. Exposing them to another language in this way is sure to help them come on leaps and bounds as well as develop their listening and comprehension skills.

Look for opportunities outside the classroom
Keeping an eye on language opportunities for your child outside the classroom is a fun way for them to learn in a new environment. For younger children look out for after-school clubs or international events in your local community. Not only will there be opportunities for them to practice and learn but the event might even inspire them to develop their capabilities even further. For older kids, openings to study abroad are often available and will provide your child with vital life experience as well as hugely develop their language and cultural skills.