Supporting your child through exam preparation

You don’t have to be an expert in any of the subjects your child chooses to make a real difference, and you don’t have to become a ‘super-parent’ giving up your own life and responsibilities – you just need to know how best to spend the time you do have, at each stage of the process

What students don’t realise…. Don’t imagine that life will go on as ‘normal’ during important examinations. It won’t. This is a critical time in your life, possibly with HUGE implications for your future. You must be prepared to make some sacrifices to make sure that you do the very best that you can.

This will never happen…. But we can make it easier

What we know…… English and Maths exam grading has changed No longer A*-C, now 9-1 system Marks needed for each grade will go up Exams will get harder All GCSE exams are now linear, with no resits permitted

Working in partnership Committed Parents Committed Teachers Committed and successful students

KS4 Overview

Compulsory Subjects - GCSE English Maths Science x2

Options – up to 4/5 more subjects GCSE BTEC RE

Controlled Assessment (in many subjects) GCSE Exams Controlled Assessment (in many subjects) Final Grade Grades 9-1

The bar has been raised….. Grades 9-1 The bar has been raised…..

BTEC – Vocational subjects Coursework Assignments (in some subjects) Exams Final Grade Grades Pass, Merit, Distinction

Options Subjects - BTEC Structure Coursework unit Coursework Unit Externally assessed unit Formal Exam Studied over Years 9, 10 and 11 Each element is usually equally weighted

How can I tell if my child is on track?

Timetable of Events End of HT4 assessments by each subject – in class for years 7-10 Easter Term (week 5) – Mock Exams – full “trial run” for external Science GCSE May 2017 External GCSE and BTEC exams – years 10 and 11 End of HT5 assessments (May) Final yearly assessments and reports in July 2017

Making it more interesting Revision Skills Goals Making it more interesting Revision Skills Procrastination Why does it matter? Motivation

Do the Brain Empty Exercise….. Get a big piece of paper Write down everything you need to do Planner, post its, files, homework sheets, VLE, Sat Acad, P6 Now Decide…. Do it now (quick and easy) Bin it? (if you’re never going to do it) Next Steps – for a bigger piece of work/revision When? Timescale? What resources will I need? How long will it take? Deadline?

Organisation Using the Planner! Write down all homework Include all Saturday Academy and P6 sessions Take a photo of the planner page to remind you Make a note of due dates and highlight them Getting Organised! Get a file and dividers Sort out the school bag Find a study area Equipment – pens, pencils, calculator, stapler, dictionary etc Use your tablet/phone – bookmark useful sites Throw away anything not needed – no clutter! Make a To Do List! Prioritise tasks Get a calendar and mark when exams are Make a timeline Create a revision schedule Be Realistic!

Scheduling Scheduling To do lists – leave space to add things you need to have in order to get each thing done e.g. equipment Don’t just write down the day homework / tasks on the day its set – put in on the due date too! Put test dates and exams in your planner Scheduling Make a to do list with due dates and priorities Try to put an earlier deadline than necessary so there’s no last minute rush Use your phone calendar and notes and lists features Look for days when a lot of work is due or when you’ll be especially busy – plan ahead and do some things earlier

Time Management Add personal events to your calendar Be Realistic Give yourself some time off! Think about how long each piece of work will take – 10 marks = 10 mins Start the hardest piece of work first – you’re less tired Think about what time of day you work best Study in 20-30 minute blocks Moving around and changing focus for a short while keeps the brain alert and helps focus Try to stay a bit later at school – will give you more time at home Try to stick to a routine It will eventually become a habit

Being Productive – Chunking it! Decide what you’re going to study Set an alarm for 20 mins Do the task until the alarm goes off Have a 5 min break Do another 20 min chunk 5 min break After 3 chunks have a longer break – 15 mins REWARD!!

Helping as Parents/Carers Encouragement Rewards Providing a motivation/goal Meals at regular times to help with blood sugar levels and provide a routine Sleep Fresh air and sunlight Let us know if your child is struggling – we can help

Dos and Don’ts Don’t spend hours making it look pretty Do start early – last minute revision never works Don’t just read notes – you need to write things down Do loads of past papers Don’t study late at night Do take breaks – chunk the work Don’t be afraid to ask for help Do use the revision guides and websites and revision notes provided by teachers

Food for thought… The exam period is not the time for going on a diet!.... PROM You need to eat regularly. Remember to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Build healthy snacks into your revision time. Your brain is working hard and needs fuel! FEED YOUR BRAIN!!

Read, write, cover, check.. Read…write…cover….recall…. Read a paragraph on a specific subject area. Write notes on what you have read. Cover up your notes… Can you remember what you wrote? Repeat as necessary… Read…write…cover….recall….

Keywords Learn the keywords for each subject and area of study. Know how to spell them correctly and learn the definitions. Use these keywords when answering exam questions….they are worth marks! Look…cover….write and spell….define…

Post - it notes Write quotes, keywords, facts etc. on post – it notes. Stick them around the house…..everywhere!! Choose places you go to in the house on a regular basis.. Wardrobe… Bedroom mirror… Fridge door… Front door… Toilet! EVERYWHERE!!

Flashcards Make yourself a set of cards, or buy some blank postcards. Write a keyword/prompt on the front of the card and information on the back. Carry them with you everywhere you go! Revision on the go! Get people to test you! “ Pick a card, any card….”

Be the teacher! Once you have revised a topic and feel confident with the knowledge, become the teacher! Teach the topic to someone else!

Recordings Record your revision notes onto your mobile phone. Listen to them at night or when you wake up. Listen to them on the bus or on the way to and from school. Listen to them anywhere!

Mnemonics Good for remembering words… Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Good for tricky words to remember spellings…. Rhythm Helps Your Tired Hips Move

Mindmap

Revision Websites and Apps There are lots of websites that can help you revise for your exams. ‘GCSE BBC Bitesize.’ Ask your teachers to recommend other websites to help you revise specific subjects.

The MOST Important…Past Exam Papers Completing past exam papers is a fantastic way to revise and prepare yourself for what to expect. Ask your teachers to give you copies of past papers, to complete at home. Your teachers will be happy to assist and will mark them for you. This is a great way to see how well you are doing and also see where else you would need to improve, to get more exam marks!

Good Luck! We’re all here to help…. Teachers Teaching Assistants Curriculum Leaders Year Leads SEN Coordinator Exams Officer Careers Advisor School Nurse