North Bristol Post 16 Centre Yr 12 PEG 20th April Preparing for exams Progression to Yr 13

3 WEEKS UNTIL EXAMS START!

Curriculum 2015 From September 2015, revised A levels have been taught in the following subjects: Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics English: English language, English literature, English language and literature Art and design Business Computer science Economics History Sociology Psychology

What should students be doing? It’s never too late… How can your daughter/son change their grade? –Attend all lessons –Attend all catch up/revision sessions (even during study leave) –Meet all deadlines & get valuable feedback –Do they have a revision timetable? –How much work are they really doing outside of lessons? 4/5 hours per subject –Ask for feedback – what do I need to do to improve/secure a ‘X’ grade –Quiet study area –Is their part time job getting in the way? 9 hours max a week. Less in exam season –Other distractions – social life, facebook… –Exercise –Down time – important to switch off.

Supporting your child during exams Use a calendar to write down when all exams are Help them plan their revision/distrib ute practice Get them to use subject checklists to prioritise their revision Provide a quiet, clutter free environment away from distractions Talk to them – get them to verbalise their learning/what are they learning Make sure they take plenty of rest breaks Accept that they might be more anxious than usual Get them to treat revision as an active process e.g. mind- maps, post it’s, mnemonics etc – keyworks – exam literacy. How do they learn best? Contact school if you’re concerned about stress levels Make sure they self- test/past exam questions

And……. ….a well stocked fridge Healthy Snacks Avoiding Junk Food Hydration Sleep Keeping positive Supportive not critical Offering help to test on a topic Slight change in mood

The day of the exam Make sure they are aware if it is a morning or afternoon exam Arrive early Eat something light before – it will help concentration Check all materials which will be needed for the exam the night before Bring a bottle of water (without a label on the bottle) Do NOT bring mobile phones into the exam rooms, specific rules about calculators Vast majority of exams are taken at the school where students are registered, NOT where they are taught (but… check examination timetable!!) Avoid ‘cramming’ just before an exam Listen very carefully to the exam briefing at the start of the exam Thoroughly read the rubric on the exam paper

Remember, it will soon be over!

Last teaching day for year 12 is Friday May 13 th Study leave continues until Friday June 1oth Some subjects may continue revision sessions during the exam time but only during lesson time Students return to school on Monday June 13 th to start their second year of A level classes in ALL subjects Please do not take a family holiday from June 13 th to July 22 nd Students taking BTEC subjects do not have study leave GCSE resit and foundation lessons will continue until the examination.

‘Futures 18’ July 4th – July 8th Visiting speakers University applications Personal statement support Open day visit Student finance Year in industry programme Gap years What employers are looking for 1:1 guidance Apprenticeships Extended project qualification launch Independent research time New focus on student wellbeing

Results day Thursday August 18 th from 1pm GOO1 in Charnwood Post-16 Atrium at Redland Green School Post 16 team will be around to provide support Passes in 3 AS/BTEC subjects a condition for returning to A level/BTEC courses (+ attendance, conduct) Drop-in sessions available for post examination advice

Preparing for next steps Support so far… –Talks from various universities –UCAS convention at UWE –Tutor programme –Access to careers adviser and info about other options –School and noticeboards How you can support… What next?

Next PEG meeting Wednesday 6th July Introduction to higher education 7pm Charnwood House