GCSE Revision Tips for Parents Wednesday 5th April Jon Bell j.bell@swr.gloucs.sch.uk Aspiration Challenge Growth @swr_school

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Do you remember results day?

Did you know? Parental support is up to 8 times more important in determining a child’s academic success than socio-economic factors? GOOD NEWS!! You don’t need to be an expert in any of your child’s GCSE subjects or give up your own life either!! Just need to use the time you do have really well. Long-Term importance V Short-Term fun! Your support, encouragement and interest can make a massive difference in your child’s ability to cope with the academic and organisational demands ahead.

Did you know? Your GCSE exams are less than 5 weeks away? GCSE Art – 8th and 9th May GCSE French/Biology – 16th May GCSE ICT – 17th May GCSE Chemistry – 18th May GCSE Spanish/PE – 19th May GCSE Eng Lit/Geography – 22nd May GCSE Maths – 25th May GCSE Eng Lit – 26th May Number of non school days – 22 Number of school days - 18 4 hours of revision on non-school days – 88 2 hours of revision on school days - 36 Total revision time – 124 Take off time for days that I can’t revise - 12 Total time available – 112 hours

Exam Equipment Bring all items to every exam. All items must be in a clear pencil case: Black ink or ball point pen(s) Pencil(s) Pencil Sharpner Eraser Ruler (30cm) Scientific Calculator (without cover) Highlighters Lesson descriptions should be brief. http://swr.gloucs.sch.uk/year-11-exam-timetable/

Top Tips for Time Management Revision Timetable WEEK 30th March 6th April Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Top Tips for Time Management Make sure that time is allocated according to revision priorities. Examination times should be put in the revision timetable first. Before May 12th revision should be planned by dividing time by subject and topic. From 11th May it should be driven by the examination timetable. Use a different colour for each subject for revision sessions. Time to revisit a subject/topic should be built in – in particular just before the exam. The school organised revision / warm-up sessions should be built into the timetable

Motivation for Students! Keep going to every lesson. Stick to the revision timetable – the further behind you get the less you will be in the mood. Resist temptation to bury head in the sand. Ignore friends and what others are saying – it must work for you! Lesson descriptions should be brief.

Motivation for Parents! Agree the balance between work and social life. Talk to them! All students fall behind. Be flexible, try to use the 80/20 rule. See difficulties in perspective – the ‘catastrophic’ approach to problems Lesson descriptions should be brief.

What is good revision? Go to all lessons – even the ones you don’t like! Reduce the notes you work with into a single A4 by the night before the exam. Get old of old papers and use revision notes to answer them. Clear goal for each revision session. Start & finish time. Get into a routine and follow the revision plan. STOP! Take a break. Don’t waste time struggling – ask a teacher or friend. IGNORE friends and don’t listen to what little they are doing – results matter!! Lesson descriptions should be brief.

Improve your Grade 5/C chances! Start revision early. Plan for hour slots. Plan to revise 1 or 2 subjects. Plan some days off, but NOT in the few weeks before the exam. Plan to revise specific topics rather than subjects (not just science, but human systems/chemical reactions or electricity) Revision cards, colours Small group discussions can work Lesson descriptions should be brief.

Improve your Grade 5/C chances! Time Needed Completed/Get Help? Science Paper 1 Total 20 Hours Inheritance & selection 3 Structures & bonding 4 Wave & radiation Metals Science Paper 2 Environment Patterns of chemical change 4 (difficult) Forces 5 Earth materials Electricity Lesson descriptions should be brief.

The day before the exam…. Know the exam timetable Get to school early Allow time for brain to wake up Take everything you need (and spare black pens) The night before the exam…. Don’t rise ‘to the bait’ – shelve those battles! Talk them through the next morning, what topics might come up? Lesson descriptions should be brief.

Dealing with difficulties ‘I’ve left it too late to revise’ A little knowledge is better than none, prioritise your time. Focus on subjects that at grade C is more likely Identify key areas with the subject Dealing with difficulties Perspective Manageable chunks Positive results Lesson descriptions should be brief.

Useful websites General support for teenagers www.projecteducation.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk www.childline.org.uk/explore/Pages/Explore.aspx www.youthaccess.org.uk Exam boards www.aqa.org.uk www.edexel.org.uk www.ocr.org.uk www.wjec.co.uk Revision help www.sparknotes.com www.gcseguide.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize www.revisionworld.co.uk http://www.s-cool.co.uk/