Study Skills: How parents can help Make sure your child has a quiet place to work, a pen, paper, some post-its and a highlighter. Ask your child for a copy of their revision timetable and help them to stay motivated to stick to it. We will make these in school with students. Discuss revision topics and ask to see work so that you can discuss it together. Encourage regular breaks and remind students to eat and drink regularly. Encourage your child to revise in whatever way works best for them, which might be a different way to their friends. Focus on effort and persistence, rather than attainment.

Revision Activities: Some Examples Make notes on cards with questions on one side and answers from the other so someone can test you on what you know. Create a mindmap about everything involved in a particular topic. Make yourself a quiz or game with key questions about a particular topic and play it with friends. Go through an exam paper and make a plan for how you would answer each question. Use highlighters and stickers to go through an exercise book and pick out the key information you need to know. Make a mnemonic for key lists of information you need to know. Put key words or definitions on post-its around your home. Summarise your notes under key headings, using bullet points. Plan how you would teach something you find difficult to a friend or family member.

When do the exams take place? Mock Exams – December 2016. GCSE Exams – Timetables will be shared with parents and students when available.

What Do I Need To Know? Is there any coursework? How much? When are the deadlines? Revision classes? See Booklet – Controlled Assessment details and dates vary for each subject. See Booklet – Some revision classes are ongoing ; others will begin later during Year 11.

How will I know if my child is on target? Three Grade Cards will provide full overview of current situation and predicted outcomes in each subject. Grade Card 1 – Issued Wednesday 19th October. Parents’ Evening – Thursday 3rd November. Grade Card 2 – Issued Tuesday 17th January. Grade Card 3 (with comments) – Issued Tuesday 28th March.

School marking policy Marked tasks will be awarded a SUCCESS and a TARGET.

Success This will indicate what went well, whether objective was met, indication of whether progress was made.

Target Tip ; Think ; Challenge.

Progress Pen Students encouraged to use the Progress Pen to highlight/annotate areas of work where they have ACTED upon a TARGET and made changes in their own learning. Opportunity for student reflection to be planned into lessons/tasks.

What are the school’s daily expectations? Attendance – Minimum target 96.7% (Below 92% is cause for concern) Punctuality – Target 100% Uniform/Equipment – Weekly checks Homework and classwork completed to the highest possible standard Mobile phones E Safety

Who do I contact in school? Miss Ashton (Student Support Leader), Mrs Turbill (Year 11 Learning Co-ordinator), Heads of Department. Senior Staff. All contact details are in the Booklet.

E Safety 71% - Parents – Feel they know less about the internet than their children.

E Safety - Elton Robust filtering system on school network. Clear reporting procedures within school. Staff recognise and are aware of e-safety issues. Effective use of support staff and peer mentors. Key messages provided through the curriculum (ICT), assemblies and Student Development Days. Regular updates and guidance provided for parents.