AQA A-Level Physics: Aiming for A/A*
Course Code: T0341
£249.00 – £289.00
ABOUT THIS COURSE
This new course will demonstrate how to guide your best students to achieve Grades A & A* in future AQA A-Level Physics examinations. The course will explore the characteristics of A/A* students identified in research and why and how we must challenge our most able Physics students. Focused extensively on evidence-based teaching, learning and assessment practice as well as feedback from the most recent exams, you will leave with a vast range of resources and practical strategies that will enable you to meet the needs of your most able students and ultimately increase A and A* grade attainment. Finally, we will look beyond the course to focus on preparing these students to continue studying Physics at university.BENEFITS OF ATTENDING
- Obtain excellent understanding of the complexities of the AQA A-Level Physics specification
- Gain insight into the content, the exam structure and how the exams are marked
- Develop your teaching in specific topic areas to raise standard of achievement
- Examples of extended A-Level questions: how to prepare students to get the most possible marks
PROGRAMME
Challenging our most able students
10.00am- Who are our most able students?
- Why do we have to challenge our most able students?
- How are A/A* achieved?
Break
10.45amFocus on assessment demands for A/A* students
11.00am- Examine the assessment demands of all components including the use of assessment objectives as a framework for assessment
- Consider the most effective models for delivery of the course to ensure effective assessment
- Feedback and grading analysis from the most recent exam
- What is required for A/A*?
- Analysis of mark schemes – which sections/questions differentiated candidates?
- Grades A & A*: what are the differences between these?
- Key attributes of Grade A/A* students in the classroom
- Avoiding potential hazards: what can cost a top student their A/A* grade?
Structuring an excellent teaching course
12.00pm- Developing a deep understanding of core Physics concepts
- Supporting students to write top band answers to 6 mark “explain” questions
- Developing a personalised approach to note taking to support recall
- Applying Physics concepts to consistently write top band evaluation
- Activating prior knowledge to improve retention of key topic areas
Lunch
1.00pmStretching and Challenging the most able students
2.00pm- Moving on from GCSE approaches – encouraging students to become sensitive readers
- Using wider reading to prepare for exams
- What makes a strong A-Level response? How can we build up to this?
- Working up to full 6-mark questions, and using them to stretch students
- Planning with and designing support for students aiming for top grades
- Extra-curricular ideas that help get A and A*
Break
3.00pmTactics for achieving the highest grades
3.05pm- Develop an action plan for success for students aiming for top grades
- The shorter questions: what are the potential pitfalls?
- Focus on the extended questions: what does a grade A/A* candidate need to do?
- Varying response practice to stretch the most able
- Revision ideas to help students produce high grade answers
Depart
3.00pm
A-Level - Code: T0341
AQA A-Level Physics: Aiming for A/A*
COURSE LEADER
Howard Dodd has worked for many years as a teacher, subject leader, university lecturer, A-level Physics Principal Examiner, ITT trainer, QTS assessor and as a consultant to schools and colleges on leadership, management, assessment and pedagogy. He has successfully presented in-service training courses for teachers for over 30 years.