Supporting Your Child Through GCSEs

Academic Review (data capture) Alignment Meetings & Parents’ Evening Pre Public Exams in December: An opportunity for pupils to sit GCSE papers in an exam environment. Pre Public exams allow pupils, parents and teachers to see where each child is up to with their exam preparation and exam technique.

Additional Support Additional Revision Classes are offered by many departments; these may be at lunch, during form time or after school. They give pupils the opportunity to access further support from their teachers, develop exam techniques and further their understanding of the subject. Additional Coursework/Controlled assessment classes Opportunities to re-do coursework in order to improve individual marks.

Intervention Food 4 Thought programme (starts after Xmas) Pizza nights across a range of subjects Booster sessions during Form time, lunch and after school Revise and Relax during half-term holidays Individual intervention support in Maths and English Revision classes Revised timetables ICT facilities available throughout the day

Mentoring by Staff Assertive Mentoring Individual pupils will be identified and placed with a member of SLT who can work with and support that pupil with coursework and exam preparation/organisation Regular meetings with target setting Agreed actions recorded

Mentoring by Staff ADOPT A YEAR 11 (not literally!) This is a very low key approach to supporting year 11, all we would like staff to do is be there if they need to talk, say hi to them on the corridor, encourage and support them in the build- up to exams. Point them in the right direction if they need help with revision or careers advice. Help them stay motivated this year, just generally be supporting and caring to your adoptees!

Learning Mentor Support 1:2:1 mentoring related to emotional well being and support. Stress management group sessions

By using all of this support your child should: Be able to meet deadlines for coursework Have all the information they need to prepare thoroughly for their exams and fulfil their potential Know where they are heading at various key points throughout the year. We also have an on-site college advisor who meets with students regarding their college placements and future career plans

Year 11 Study Skills and Revision

Remember! This is the most important school year for you and your children and holidays will not be authorised. No Modular examinations take place during the course of the year. Some controlled assessment deadlines have passed but there needs to be a managed approach to completion of all controlled assessments.

Home Study Planning Some suggestions for Parents: Use Parent Power – talk to the parents of your child's friends. Encourage your child to revise (little and often) Do not believe the myths…

Does your child say ? “I work better with the TV on” “This loud music helps me to concentrate” “I can swot up a week before I have an exam” “No one else is doing any work yet” “Everything is fine – stop worrying” “It’s all done with coursework now” “I did all my homework at lunchtime” “I can revise on my Xbox!” “Facebook has revision guides” If in doubt at all – contact us in school.

Home Study Planning The secret is to review and recall. Re-read, re-draft, and re-write, regular review maintains the amount retained. Any study plan must include revisiting topics again and again. Once a study timetable has been produced it is important to be aware of how best we learn Sitting revising for hours on end is not the best way to study; most people learn better when they move around, so get up and have a drink every 30 mins to an hour.

Home Study Planning-Tips for parents! Be there -Show an interest Offer, but do not force help Don’t increase the pressure by overdoing the expectations Emphasise that the most important thing is to “do your best” Provide the right atmosphere Ensure sufficient breaks Encourage relaxation time and plenty of sleep Be sensitive – adolescence is difficult enough; a sympathetic ear can make all the difference

Exam Regulations and Practice Season

Session Timings Morning Session : am Exams start at 8.30am Afternoon Session : pm Exams start at 1.30pm You must arrive at school by 8.20am for the morning sessions and by 1.15pm for the afternoon sessions. In the event of an emergency you must phone the school and inform us of your circumstances; the school telephone number is

Exam Regulations and Practice School Uniform School uniform must be worn for all examinations Students will be asked to remove jackets/coats/fleeces etc. in the examination room. Mobile Phones You MUST NOT have a mobile phone on your person in the examination room, whether switched on or not. Absences Any absence from an examination, owing to ill health, must be certified by a Doctor’s note and forwarded to the school as soon as possible.

And finally! If you are in any way concerned or confused – do not hesitate to contact us in school Thank you for your time