Assistant Head of 6th Form and Lead Teacher GCSEs What can parents do? Mrs D Guzzetta Assistant Principal Mr M Boast Assistant Head of 6th Form and Lead Teacher FI

The most common frustrations for parents There’s a million websites to help but how do you know which are any good? He always leaves everything to the last minute – one moment he has all the time in the world – the next it’s all stress and stropping because it has to be in tomorrow and he hasn’t got the stuff he needs to do it ….. I can’t stand the arguments and stress when I tell him exams are important and try to make him work – it always ends up with him saying it’s his life and slamming the door’ Surely she shouldn’t be going out again when she’s got exams coming up? Fiona

Priorities Understanding the long-term importance of doing the best they can Learning to shelve short-term fun at times in the interest of long-term benefits Fiona

Unfortunately! The teenage perspective interest and effort in education and the long-term benefits these can bring often come rather a long way down the priority list Sometimes friendships, the ‘right clothes’, social life, romantic concerns and hobbies can come first In addition, children will differ in their levels of maturity, their ability to take responsibility for their learning, organisational skills and level of motivation Fiona

How You Can Help Parents’ active engagement with their children’s learning is the most important long-term influence on academic success and behaviour, research published by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust shows Parental support is eight times more important in determining success than social class ‘The findings also show that, contrary to many views, students not only welcome their parents being actively involved in their learning but that it helped them raise their achievement’ Prof Alma Harris, Warwick Univ. EPRA Fiona 5

It Doesn’t Always Seem That Way! Fiona 6

REVISION That ‘R’ Word… “10 hours of independent study / revision in one subject can make a difference of up to one grade to attainment” Dawn 7

Revision Basics Everyone gets nervous as they prepare for exams but revision doesn't have to be a drag, so long as they do it in a way that works for them Research has shown that bite size revision over a long period of time is more effective than cramming http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25626265 DAWN

Revision Basics Support them to ‘make a plan’ draw up a realistic timetable Switch between subjects to avoid becoming bored of a single topic The most effective way to revise is to concentrate on understanding rather than memorizing Dawn

PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL START WITH A LIST OF ALL TOPICS THAT NEED TO BE COVERED FOR EACH SUBJECT. IT WILL ALSO HELP YOU REVIEW AND FIND GAPS IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE COMPLETE A DRAFT TIMETABLE FIRST TO SEE HOW YOU WILL FIT IT ALL IN LITTLE AND OFTEN IS BETTER THAN CRAMMING

Exam Stress Exams A little bit of stress can be a good thing as it motivates them to knuckle down and work hard. But exams can make stress levels get out of hand, which can stop them from performing their best So it's important to address it and get it back under control Dawn

Exam Stress How to manage exam stress A break or a chat with someone who knows the pressure they're under will get things into perspective Get them to avoid comparing their abilities with their friends. Those "Oh my God I've only read Macbeth 17 times" conversations are such a wind up Everyone approaches revision in different ways, making a realistic timetable, sticking to it and revising using the method that works best for them are the key factors Dawn

Brain Food Wholegrain - High energy slow releasing Essential Fatty Acids – (OMEGA 3)increase brain function. Oily fish, pumpkins seeds, soya. Berries – Vit C. Increases mental agility, improves short term memory Broccoli – Vit K Enhance cognitive function Bananas – Normalises Oxygen levels, increases mood. Sage – improve memory Eggs- cognitive performance ( Choline) Water – stay hydrated Dawn

Don’t forget....... Form Tutor Subject Teacher Heads of Year Mentor Learning Advisers Will be on hand to offer support to both student and parent/carer Dawn 14

Extra Support Subject specific revisions sessions Holiday School Extra sessions lunch time and after school Look on Firefly Azizah 15

Exam Essentials