How can I support my child through Year 11? Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) for parents and carers Mr Heydinger – Head of Year 11 Mr Torrance – Head of 6th Form Mrs Bothwell – Examination Officer

Mr Heydinger… It’s the day to day that counts! Parental Role - Supporter Parental support is eight times more important in determining a child’s academic success than social class or the level of parental education, according to a Campaign for Learning study.

Your role as a parent/carer Attendance officer – every lesson counts Partner with school and child – parent engagement events Provider of tools - for home learning and revision Banker – paying for the tools Entertainments officer – TV, theatre, films, news, discussion Project manager – agreeing the rules, work/life balance Go between – problems are nipped in the bud Information provider and interpreter – exam papers, mark schemes

Support package Balance and flexibility Rewards Boundaries Listening Sensitivity Perspective

Revision timetable – Plan your Work, Work your Plan Have all resources available Offer to help with making the timetable Plan breaks Revise specific topics, not whole subjects Revisit these topics Revise the most difficult bits first

During the exams Exam timetables Sleep! Equipment Watch Wish them luck Move on to the next exam

Mr Heydinger… Active revision Past Papers - often sold by departments Geography Edexcel B Flash cards for revision notes

Mr Heydinger… Active revision Spider diagrams and mind maps

Mr Heydinger… Active revision Revision apps, websites, Twitter - check content matches exam

Mr Heydinger… Active revision Read aloud and walk about. Raps, rhymes, chants and songs. Record key points on a phone or other electronic device. Photos of revision resources. Posters and ‘post it’ notes.

Mr Heydinger… Active revision Practise writing essay plans Revise with a partner, friend, buddy or parent!

Yr11 Celebration Assembly – Friday 12th May. Study leave – A thing of the past??? https://www.birchwoodonline.co.uk/

Please remember…. Student Review Day – Friday 21st October 6th form Open Evening - Tues 15th November 4.30pm to 7:30pm

A young person in year 11 or below will have to continue in education or training until at least their 18th birthday. They don’t have to stay at the same school and go into the Sixth Form. They may: continue in full-time education in another school, college or home education take an Apprenticeship or job with regular training take a part-time education or training course if they are employed, self-employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours per week

Colleges and Further Training Sixth Form Colleges and Further Training Work based Learning

Who can students go to for support and advice? Form Tutors Yr12 Students Miss Newland – Careers / College Expert Connexions – Karen Charles – ask for an appointment through your Form Tutor or Head of Year or drop in every Tuesday lunchtime Internet – get acquainted with College websites

How can you help your child to make well-informed decisions? Talk to them about what they are enjoying at the moment Ask questions Visit the Birchwood Sixth Form Opening Evening Explore options critically Keep track of Progress Remind them of in-house support Be patient – be prepared for lots of uncertainty

University Finance Tuition Fees up to £9,250 No-one pays up front Tuition fees goes straight to the university Living Costs (£4,500 - £9,500) Student Finance England for student loans

University Finance Maintenance loan £4,565 -£11,002, depending on income/location (35% means tested) Other grants available Check course details for scholarships and bursaries – many go unclaimed!

Repaying University Finance Automatically collected from earnings, like tax Only pay back 9% of earnings over £21,000 (E.g. if earning £22,000, monthly payments are £7.50) Only fully repay if starting salary is around £45,000 Any debt left to pay after 30 years is cancelled Can pay back all, or some, at any time without incurring early repayment charges

Mrs Lee Bothwell… (examinations officer) Information booklet Exams Procedures Explanation in assembly Mocks 2016

Key dates…. Friday 21st Oct - Student review day Friday 11th Nov – Yr11 Interim 1 Monday 14th Nov – Mocks start* Tuesday 15th Nov – 6th Form Open Evening Thursday 16th Dec – 6th form application deadline Wednesday 18th Jan – Yr11 Parents Evening Friday 27th Jan – Yr11 Tutor reports Friday 3rd March – Yr11 Interim 2

Thank you for taking the time to attend this evening Thank you for taking the time to attend this evening. We do appreciate your support.