Welcome to the Year 11 GCSE Strategy homepage. Year 11 is a crucial year in that it is the culmination of eleven years of education all of which is leading towards formal qualifications that will prepare our pupils for their next steps, whatever they may be. As such, both pupils and parents may find this year stressful and one of the aims of the GCSE Strategy is to ensure both parents and pupils are supported to eliminate unnecessary stresses.
All key information for Year 11 will be uploaded to this section of the website. This will include all GCSE and Post 16 information and as well as copies of all Year 11 letters sent home.
General careers advice, guidance and useful website links can also be found on the Careers Education and Advice section of our website
The Year 11 GCSE strategy covers 3 main areas: the Curriculum, Pupils and Parents.
The CURRICULUM – Our aim is to:
PUPILS – Our aim is to:
We run a comprehensive PSHE and CEIAG programme that covers many topics to support the points above. Pupil identification and support is ongoing throughout the year. (Please see CEIAG section on website)
PARENTS – Our aim is to
Reports and key information is shared with parents through Go4Schools. In addition to this there are a series of Parent Information Evenings & a Parents’ Consultation Evening during the year. Click here to view the PSHE Learning Journey.
DATE | EVENT | Summary |
Monday 11.10.21 | PSHE double session | POST 16 OPTIONS |
Tuesday 19.10.21 | POST 16 Evening | This is an opportunity for parents and pupils to meet a range of post 16 providers. |
October Half Term (Mon 25.10.21- Friday 29.10.21) | ||
Weds 3.11.21 | Data drop on G4S | This is where you can monitor your child’s progress and effort data. |
Thurs 11.11.21 | Year 11 Parents’ Consultation Evening | This is an opportunity for all parents to discuss their child’s progress with all subject teachers. (VIRTUAL – SCHOOL CLOUD) |
Tuesday 23.11.21 | PSHE double session | Time Management/ Ace Your Exams |
Mon 6.12.21 | Mock Exams | This is the first set of mock exams this year. |
Christmas Holidays (Mon 20.12.21- Mon 3.1.22) | ||
Wed 26.1.22 | Year 11 Reports | These will be released to parents via Go4Schools |
February Half Term (Mon 21.2.22-Friday 25.2.22) | ||
Mon 7.3.22 | Mock Exams | This is the second set of mock exams this year. |
Easter Holidays (Mon 11.4.22- Friday 22.4.22) | ||
Tues 3.5.22 | GCSE PRACTICAL EXAMS | These make up a proportion of the final exam grade for many subjects |
16.5.22 | GCSE WRITTEN EXAMS | GCSE WRITTEN EXAMS BEGIN (TBC) |
May Half Term (Mon 30.5.22-Friday 3.6.22) | ||
17.6.22 | GCSE WRITTEN EXAMS | GCSE WRITTEN EXAMS END (TBC) |
Date TBC | Year 11 Prom | |
CLASS OF 2022
Revision sessions will begin in September in many subjects and these run according to the rota below.
Some subjects identify pupils by names and we would expect all of these pupils to attend. At other times the sessions are open to the whole class. This information is shared with pupils by their class teacher and their form tutor. If pupils do not attend, parents may be contacted. If you have any queries please contact the school, alternatively you can email the teacher directly.
WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | |
MONDAY | CATCHUP – depts. To arrange | CATCHUP – depts. To arrange |
TUESDAY | OPTION E | OPTION F |
WEDNESDAY | MATHS | ENGLISH |
THURSDAY | SCIENCE | OPTION G |
FRIDAY | CATCHUP – depts. To arrange | CATCHUP – depts. To arrange |
E | F | G |
Art Fine | Business Studies | Art Photography |
Art Photography | Computing | Computing |
Business Studies | Geography | Citizenship |
Citizenship | Citizenship | Dance |
Food Technology | French | Geography |
German | German | Drama |
History | History | Food Technology |
Music | Graphics | |
GCSE PE |
| GCSE PE |
RM |
| RM |
Textiles |
| History |
March 2022 Mock Exams
YR 11 GCSE TOPIC LIST March Mock Exams
Computer Science Paper 2_Revision_List Feb_2022
Business Paper 2_Revision_List March_2022
MathsWatch – Revision List March 2022
French / German – Speaking exam only. Prepare for a role-play, a photo card and general conversation questions and answers. All work covered from start of the course. Guidance will be given by teachers in class.
December 2021 Mock Exams
GCSE English Language Topic List
GCSE English Literature Topic List
LEAD Engineering Open Event Saturday 14 May 2022
“Binder Dijker Otte (BDO) UK are one of the UK’s largest accountancy and business advisory firms. This August, they are hosting a week-long virtual insight into accounting. For those who wish to apply and meet the criteria set by BDO, please go to https://www.bdoearlyincareer.co.uk/yr-10-11-12-summer-programmes/?utm_source=CareerMap&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=33_3951_EarlyCareers21-22&utm_term=1×1&utm_content=SchoolLeaver_CareersAdviser_Email_Explore “
Finding the right Apprenticeship for you
Apprenticeships Tips/Hints for Parents/Carers
English & Media Centre – Looking into Language – An Online Conference for Y10-11 (Recording)
Newcastle College Open Day 18 November 2021 / University College Birmingham 20 November 2021
Nicola Richards MP’s Job & Careers Fair 18 November 2021
Boa Stage & Screen Production Academy Poster
Skills Training UK Open Evening 25 November 2021
RAF Live Broadcast Wednesday 10 November 2021
Birmingham Repertory Theatre Careers Video
Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form Open Day 11/13 November 2021
Sandwell College Institute of Sport Taster Day 29 October 2021
Apprenticeships Information Pack October 2021
What is an Apprenticeship Video
Bishop Milner Sixth Form Open Evening 21 October 2021
Bishop Milner Sixth Form Information
Access Creative College Birmingham Open Days 25 October 2021 / 27 November 2021
Access Creative College Birmingham Flyer
Dormston School Year 11 Careers Information Pack 2021-2022
The Royal School Sixth Form Open Evenings 13 November 2021 / 10 January 2022
Juniper Training Open Day 26 October 2021
Wolves FC Foundation BTEC Football & Education College Academy – Taster Session 28 October 2021
Arnold Clark
Arnold Clark Apprenticeships – Virtual Event 21 April 2022
LEAD Engineering
WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED –
Apprentice Rail Engineering Technician Apprentice Rail Engineering Technician
Advanced Engineering Apprenticeships: Minimum 3 GCSEs (predicted or achieved) including Maths at grade B (Level 5/6), English Literature or Language at grade C (Level 4), and Physics or Double Science at grade C (Level 4).
https://ourclients.randstad.co.uk/ford-motor-company/advanced-engineering-apprenticeship-2022/
Virtual Insight Week, National, 2022
Virtual Insight Week programme provides opportunities to gain lots of valuable skills and explore your career options with PwC. Programme dates: Monday 25 July – Friday 29 July 2022.
The Next Gen Makers Apprenticeship Finder Web Form has now gone live and is ready for your students who are interested in a career in Engineering to complete by following the link below.
https://www.nextgenmakers.co.uk/apprenticeship-finder/
Engineering Apprenticeship Finder 2022
Virtual Insight Week, National, 2022
Virtual Insight Week programme provides opportunities to gain lots of valuable skills and explore your career options with PwC. Programme dates: Monday 25 July – Friday 29 July 2022.
https://targetcareers.co.uk/employer-hubs/pwc/1037171-virtual-insight-week-national-2022
Next Gen Makers
Looking for an Engineering Apprenticeship? Check out
Virtual Insight Week, National, 2022
Virtual Insight Week programme provides opportunities to gain lots of valuable skills and explore your career options with PwC. Programme dates: Monday 25 July – Friday 29 July 2022.
https://targetcareers.co.uk/employer-hubs/pwc/1037171-virtual-insight-week-national-2022
Next Gen Makers Apprenticeship finder.
https://www.nextgenmakers.co.uk/apprenticeship-finder/
Wester Power Distribution
Recruitment for Power (Electrical) Engineering Craft Apprentices opened on 07/02/2022 with a starting date of September 2022. Vacancies are in the Midlands, South West and Wales.
https://careers.westernpower.co.uk/jobs/search?category=Craft%20Apprenticeships
IBM
At least 5 GCSE (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or above these must include Maths and English Language.
Western Training Provider
Apprenticeships Q&A with Western Training Provider Network
As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2022, join WTPN for a live Q&A session with Bath-based small business, Anthem Publishing, and their two new apprentices, Ella & Molly.
KPMG Business Services Apprenticeship Birmingham Autumn 2022
Minimum 5 GCSEs at A* – C or at 4 – 9 (inc. English Language and Maths).
Ford Motor Company
An online virtual open evening will be held on Tuesday 8th February for Advanced Engineering. Minimum 3 GCSEs (predicted or achieved) including Maths at grade B (Level 5/6), English Literature or Language at grade C (Level 4), and Physics or Double Science at grade C (Level 4). Below is a link where you can sign up to an open evening.
https://ourclients.randstad.co.uk/ford-motor-company/apprenticeship/
Rate My Apprenticeship
2021/2022 Top 100 employers Guide
https://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk/top-employers
Severn Trent
There are a number of different apprenticeship programmes available with Severn Trent. These include various operational vacancies (e.g. Vehicle Technicians, Assistant Water Technicians) and office-based apprenticeships (e.g. Business Analysts, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Analysts, HR). There are many more vacancies available. Please check the company website for application closing dates, employment start dates and for any other information.
https://www.severntrent.com/careers/graduates-undergraduates-and-apprentices/apprenticeships/
Volkswagen Group
There are a number of different apprenticeships available with the Volkswagen Group apprenticeship programme which include the Service Technician, Service Advisor, Parts Advisor, Paint Technician, Vehicle Body Repair Technician, Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET) Technician and Parts Sales Executive roles.
Personal, Social, Health Education becomes statutory for all schools from September 2020 under the Children and Social Work Act 2017.
At Dormston, PSHE is a planned, developmental programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, PSHE develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society.
PSHE equips pupils to live healthy, safe, productive, capable, responsible and balanced lives. It encourages them to be enterprising and supports them in making effective transitions, positive learning and career choices and in achieving economic wellbeing. A critical component of PSHE is providing opportunities for children and young people to reflect on and clarify their own values and attitudes and explore the complex and sometimes conflicting range of values and attitudes they encounter now and in the future.
PSHE contributes to personal development by helping pupils to build their confidence, resilience and self-esteem, and to identify and manage risk, make informed choices and understand what influences their decisions. It enables them to recognise, accept and shape their identities, to understand and accommodate difference and change, to manage emotions and to communicate constructively in a variety of settings. Developing an understanding of themselves, empathy and the ability to work with others will help pupils to form and maintain good relationships, develop the essential skills for future employability and better enjoy and manage their lives.
Please see Learning Journey for specifics of what will be taught this year
Year 11 Letters / Important Information
Form-14_Self-Certification-Form – Unexpected Absence from GCSE Exam
Year 11 Leavers Letter – May 2022
Year 11 Virtual Parents Evening – 6 April 2022 How to login to the Parents Evening website How to attend your appointments via video call
Year 11 Hoodies Order Letter – March 22
Dormston Leavers Hoodie Flyer – 2022
Year 11 Mock Exams Letter – February 2022
11Y1 Chemistry & Physics Revision Letter
Year 11 – Applying for an Apprenticeship Workshop 08 02 2022
Year 11 Update Letter January 2022
Year 11 Mock Exam Timetable December 2021
Year 11 GCSE Exams Summer 2022 – Ofqual Guidance November 2021
Student Letter from Ofqual Chief Regulator Dr Jo Saxton
Year 11 English A-Level Taster Session Letter
Class of 2022 GCSE Strategy Parents Presentation – September 2021
Post 16 Evening Presentation October 2021
Year 11 Virtual Parents Evening Letter 11 November 2021 How to book appointments for Parents Evening Help Sheet How to attend Parents Evening Appointments Help Sheet