PARENTS’ INFORMATION

EVENINGYear 11

Tuesday March 3rd 2015

AIMS FOR THIS EVENING1. To give information about exams,

revision sessions and final practical exams.

2. To give some advice about revision and use of the Easter holidays.

3. To give you some subject specific guidance about how to prepare for examinations. We will look at English, Science, Maths and History.

WHAT’S NEXT? Further mock exams in English and Maths on Tuesday 17th

March. Completion of Controlled Assessments is nearly over but

see booklet for details. Mentoring day is on Thursday 16th April. Please attend. Easter Holidays – school day timetable of 5 – 6 hours each

day. Exam timetables have been given out but need careful

checking. Revision timetables need to be organised at home if not

done. Attend subject sessions when possible. Please see the

sheet and discuss which to attend. Easter Revision Sessions. Drama on Tuesday 7th April. RE

and other subjects on Wednesday 8th April. English on 9th April and Maths on 10th April.

Study Leave from Friday May 22nd May. Subject revision in between times and when exams have finished.

Plans for next year. St Paul’s was in top 6% of schools in the country for value added A Level results.

SUBJECT SESSIONS Details are on the green sheet to take

home.

Please encourage attendance. Discuss with child the need to attend. What were mock results like in each subject?

It makes sense to attend as many as you can.

FINAL COURSEWORK Please use the booklet for details of

deadlines and dates for the subjects your child studies.

DRAMA:

The assessment will be purely a practical performance piece. There is no more written element to the course.

7th April – Easter holiday rehearsal opportunity.

15th and 16th April – Evening performances of the GCSE pieces.

24th April. Examiner visits.

The PE practical moderation week and Art exams are week beginning Monday 13th April.

Please see the booklet for details.

PE AND ART

EXAM BASICS Arrive on time for all exams. Correct equipment. School uniform. A typical week may have 6 or 7 exams

in one week. Look at the order of the exams when

preparing for the exams.

WHY RESULTS ARE SO IMPORTANT? You are competing against pupils from

other schools all over the country and from abroad for places at top universities. Apprenticeships are competitive.

PREPARATION IS THE KEY

INFORMATION GATHERING Timetable for all examinations. Controlled assessment booklet. Subject revision sessions list. Progress record. Subject specifications. Calendar and/or revision plan. Revision kit. Subject books. Past papers in folders, School Website. Text books and revision guides. Year 11 Reports.

REVISION Varied in 20 to 50 minute blocks. Theory of memory. Engaging. Use the Easter ‘Holidays’. These are working weeks. Avoid revising the bits you are genius at but do not

ignore! Maximise strengths. Past papers are great but get them checked. Online revision is great eg Bitesize, Mymaths,

Science. To know something really well then need to cover it 5

times. Methods to try out are mind maps, flow charts, cards,

journey method, mnemonics, parents give you a test, revise with friends, past papers and keep score, read text books, sound recordings and podcasts, revision guides, on line resources, apps for ipads.

REVISION ROOM

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU SPEND REVISING?

REPETITION IS VITAL TO MEMORY

REMAINING SANE! Motivation. Work place and resources storage area with natural light and

lamp. Talk. Scheduled fun. Reward effort. Rest. Organise. Work space. Online help. Exercise. Lateral thinking revision. Food. Parental calmness. Watch for stress. Set the alarm on exam days and revision days. Plan B for getting in to school if bus is late.

EXTRA HINTS Testing your child. Mark exam papers using mark schemes. Record marks. The house can be a revision aid! Encourage and praise. Go to the shops and buy revision guides and

other resources. Help with time management and good

routines. Put away phones and social media for a

while every day. Practice, practice, practice.

MATHS:

There is no coursework to do.

Knowing how to use their own equipment is key to success.  Equipment can be bought from the Finance Office in school. Get this now and try out your calculator.

Completion of homework is vital in achieving potential.  Please ask class teachers for support as needed.

MATHS: Mymaths has booster packs for the key grades and

students should be using this resource as part of their revision in addition to their set homework.

After school support clubs where they can do their homework, get support or have structured input on key topics.  These take place on Mondays and Thursdays. Meet in J Block.

Past exam papers can be found through the Edexcel OR AQA website or Edexcel app. Teachers will mark these if they are given in.

Exam questions by topic can be found online. www.bland.in

IF IN DOUBT... Contact subject staff Mentor Pastoral team Access School Website

First name.surname@st-pauls.org.uk

RESULTS DAY Results Day 20th August. Please be

around on this day. Good luck!