How can you support your daughter in her revision?

Top Tips for Revising Aim to find a quiet space for your daughter to revise – this can be difficult in some cases but a desk or table to work at will allow a little more comfort. There are dedicated study spaces in school which the girls can work in before school, during lunch and after school.

Top Tips for Revising Support your daughter to create a revision timetable – keep a copy of it so you know what she should be doing and when. Encourage revision to start early – even at this stage your daughter can be building strong foundations by revising the work she did last year. Y11 mock exams are next week, she should be putting in the hard work now. Draw your daughter’s attention to study aids –exam board websites which have past papers available, PAG’s Revision Toolkit booklet which they have all been issued with, BBC Bitesize, individual subject revision guides.

Top Tips for Revising Encourage regular study breaks - regular breaks will increase the power of your daughter’s brain. Exercise, such as taking the dog for a walk is proven to make the brain more active.

Top Tips for Revising Actively revise with your daughter – let your daughter teach you the key areas she is revising. Studies show that you learn more through teaching than through passive reading. Test her using her revision cards. Mobile phones and other technology – the use of these should be monitored carefully throughout the revision process. Technology allows access to some great resources however can prove a distraction. Set times when your daughter can have access to her devices would be useful. Downloading resources before switching off the wi-fi for an hour could be the key to success!

Top Tips for Revising Check ShowMyHomework - all homework is logged here and you have access to this through the website. Ask to see the revision your daughter has completed in the time she spends working at home – It is important that they see the benefits of the work they complete and also that they get a reward…often a ‘well done’ and a parent showing their interest is enough. Check her intervention timetable for period 6 lessons and also during half terms – intervention sessions will start after Christmas (some may be before) and you will always be issued a timetable for any holiday sessions.

The Stress of GCSEs on Families How will we all cope? The Stress of GCSEs on Families

Stress Is Not a Bad Thing A degree of stress is normal and actually necessary for successfully tackling exams. Stress motivates us to complete tasks within a time limit.

What’s the difference between good and bad stress? Good stress is acute, lasting minutes or hours; bad stress is chronic, lasting weeks to years Good stress features motivation and ability to perform; bad stress features low self esteem and underperformance. Good stress can result in increased efficiency to maintain physical exertion; bad stress can result in serious life-threatening illness.

What can bad stress look like? Cognitive Symptoms Memory problems Poor Concentration Poor Judgement Negative thoughts Anxiety Worry Nervousness Emotional Symptoms Moodiness Irritable/Temper Agitation Feeling overwhelmed Loneliness Isolation Unhappiness Physical Symptoms Muscle Tension Aches Stomach problems Nausea Dizziness Chest pain Racing heart Colds and allergies Behavioural Symptoms Appetite changes Sleep changes Social withdrawal Procrastination Avoiding responsibility Substance abuse Nervous habits

When the going gets tough… How will you be able to help your daughter maintain motivation and encourage persistence? Agree a balance between work and her social life. Make sure you stick to it Talk to your daughter about how she is feeling and acknowledge it. Help her prioritise Reward her with your time. She’ll need you. Try to help her put it all in perspective. You may hear ‘I may as well give up’. Have an interest in what she’s doing. Check her ‘Personal Learning Checklists’ and talk about what is troubling her. Write ‘to-dos’. Encourage her to work to manageable goals. What can she achieve today?

How can we all work together to support your daughter? Attend all parents’ evenings Meet with your daughter’s teachers as early as possible if are signs of a problem. Don’t wait. Write down the names and emails of your daughter’s teachers. Generally emailing is the most effective way to communicate. Check the school website for updated information and advice Make sure any change in contact details is updated on the school system. If there are changes to your home circumstances that may affect your daughter’s performance, contact the school. Encourage 100% attendance. Don’t underestimate its importance.

Useful Contacts Mrs Grey: rgrey@pafg.org.uk Vice Principal Mrs Millard: kmillard@pafg.org.uk Assistant Principal Miss Sanderson: bsanderson@pafg.org.uk Tutor for 11SND Mr Tart: atart@pafg.org.uk Tutor for 11TAR Miss Pszonak: vpszonak@pafg.org.uk Tutor for 11PZK