GCSE advice for Parents and carers : Making a difference Helping your Son prepare for his GCSE examinations 7 th October 2008

Making a good start in Year 10  What is successful learning?  How do you learn?  Self Belief  Motivation  Time Management  Goals  Exams- revision tips & how to prepare

Success A successful learner has  The right environment for working  Motivation  Positive attitude  Self Belief  Goals

Learning Styles Learning Styles  Visual  Auditory  Kinaesthetic ( Physical)  Which is your dominant learning style?  We remember 20% of what we hear 30% of what we say 30% of what we say 40% of what we see 40% of what we see 50% of what we do 50% of what we do & 90% or what we see, hear and say & do & 90% or what we see, hear and say & do

Motivation  Re-assess your goals often  Manageable routine  Determination  Take pride in your work  Accept praise  Celebrate successes  Set SMART targets

Time Management  Balance what you have to do & what you want to do  Plan your time realistically  What wastes time?  Avoid last minute panics  Prioritise  Stick to your plan  Attend after school revision sessions.

Goals  Work experience -What are you interested in? -What will be a worthwhile experience? -Can you improve your CV?  6 th Form Open evening – 18 th Nov 2008  Careers interview  Look at universities – find out about courses are on offer and the grades needed

Challenges Ahead Challenges Ahead  The concentration span in minutes of a person is their age, plus or minus one. a person is their age, plus or minus one. 16 year old is 15 to 17 minutes. 16 year old is 15 to 17 minutes.  Hard work & revision can be difficult and daunting at times!  Revision can be boring!  It can be stressful fitting everything in!  Key is to be well organised!

In the lead up to exams  Meet Coursework deadlines  Revision timetable  Check how they are doing by letting them explain something they have just learnt. them explain something they have just learnt.  Encourage your son to ask for help at school on any parts of their work they do not understand.  Encourage your son to persevere and to work hard in the run-up to the exams. 

Useful revision tips Useful revision tips  Plan to revise one or two subjects – 30 mins.  Revise specific topics in each subject.  Reading is not generally enough.  Brief notes in either words or pictures  Start with tackling the most difficult bits.  Plan to cover each subject several times & revisit.  Revising with the TV or radio on or with loud music is not a good idea.  Revising with friends – health warning.

Revision Ideas (Tricks) Revision Ideas (Tricks) Index Cards Post-it Notes Posters Music Personal Trainer Highlighters Games – clock Notes on Tape Walkabout Read it Hide it Write it SubheadingsTables/lists Colour codes My Very Easy Method Just Speeds Up Naming Planets Past papers/Rev Guides WebsitesREWARDS

Common Problems   Not Finishing the paper   Missing out answers / questions   Misreading the question   Not enough revision / avoiding topics   Spellings – key words

Exam Solutions   Read the whole paper first   Come back to problematic questions   Deconstruct questions – what do they want?   Learn key words / spellings   Plan use of time   Remember to have the right equipment

Exam timetable  Year 10 module exams in Maths & Science  Year 11 Study leave will be dependant on completion of all coursework.  GCSE exams May and June 2009 MFL,Art & PE practical exams are earlier. MFL,Art & PE practical exams are earlier.

Exam Day Golden Rules for Success:   Equipment checked the night before   Bag packed   Well rested   Well fed & watered   Calm & ordered routine   On time

School contacts  Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the school if you would like more help or advice to prepare your son for their GCSEs.  Assistant Head – KS4:Mrs D Jackman Head of Year 10: Mrs G Tiddy Examinations Officer: Mrs M Lomas Subject staff Subject staff

Other materials Other materials  Encourage the use of the issued booklet  School website -this powerpoint & more useful tips  BBC ‘Bitesize’:    Past exam papers  Have a look at the materials in bookshops – there are some useful revision guides

Good Luck!! Good Luck!! See it as a chance to parade your knowledge and hard work. See it as a chance to parade your knowledge and hard work. Think positively! Think positively!

Think If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you don't; If you'd like to win but you think you can't, You can almost be certain you won't. If you think that you'll lose, you are lost, For out in the world you will find Success begins with a person's will; It's all in the state of the mind. If you think you're outclassed you are; You've got to think high to rise. You've just got to be sure of yourself Before you can win the prize. Life's battles don't always go To a stronger or faster man; But sooner or later the person who wins Is the person that THINKS they can. - Anon.

English Language   Written Paper 1: 1hr 40 mins   Section A :Multi-part questions on unseen non-fiction and media texts   Section B: A choice from three or more questions (Argue, persuade, advise)   Written Paper 2: 1 ½ hours   Section A: 2 questions on Poetry from Other Cultures   Section B: Personal writing – article or essay (Analyse, Review & comment)

English Literature   Written Paper: 1 ½ hours ( 10 mins reading)   Section A: Prose (40 mins) Lord of the Flies or Of Mice & Men   Section B: Poetry (40 Mins) War Poems anthology studied in Yr 10 Refer to texts for evidence

Mathematics   Higher Tier - A* to D   There is NO coursework and it is studied in modules   Module 3 ( Number) – November of Year 10   Module 1 ( Algebra) – March of Year 10   Resits in June of Year 10   Module 5 – June of Year 11

Science   Higher tier - A* to D  Majority- Core in Yr 10 & Additional Science in Yr 11 Core- Year components – worth 10% each - 6 Multiple choice module exams - 6 Multiple choice module exams - 4 Internal assessments (Practical, Bio, Phy & Chem) - 4 Internal assessments (Practical, Bio, Phy & Chem) Additional – Year components – worth 10% each -4 Internal assessments -3 Multiple choice module exams -3 Structured exams

Science  All Module exams are taken in Nov, March & June Some boys will do the triple award and follow the same core & additional work at a faster pace with some extension units at the end of Year 11. Some boys will do the triple award and follow the same core & additional work at a faster pace with some extension units at the end of Year 11. Check Statement of Entry Recommended to buy Revision books