Kirkwall Grammar School Raising Attainment How to help your child prepare for the 2014 SQA examinations.

What’s different this session? For S4 – the change to Nationals and the move to the new build For S5/6 – the move to the new building School closure does not mean extra holiday – staff will advise on home study

Points to note For S4-6 the change to SQA Appeals –No Appeals as we have known them. –Results Service: Exceptional Circumstances Re-count/ re-mark S5 and S6* in will sit new National Highers

Current QualificationsNew Qualifications Replaced by Courses at National 1-4 will not be graded. They will be assessed Pass/Fail within the Centre. National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Courses will be graded A – D. Advanced Higher (Revised) Higher (Revised) National 5 National 4 National 3 (Revised) National 2 (Revised) National 1 (Revised)

Assessment Arrangements Higher / Intermediate 2 / Intermediate 1 –Unit Assessments (NABs). –Final Examination Nationals –Unit Assessments (UASPs) –Final Examination for N5 All Unit Assessments Usually internally assessed Must pass these for final full award Only two attempts permitted per assessment If preparing for re-sit ; pupils should take responsibility for finding out when, where and what needs to be done to improve and to pass

Prelim Examination Dates S4 Prelims –Start 13 th January 2014 –7 School Weeks from now (+ Christmas Holidays) S5/6 Prelims –Start 27 th January 2014 –9 School Weeks from now (+ Christmas Holidays)

Now for ideas of ways that you can support your son or daughter in the run up to exams.

Study Timetable Time for pupils to take stock of what they know and what they don’t. Time to plan for and prepare for exams

Study/ Homework Planning What are essential commitments? When is there free time? School / hobbies / paid work* / socialising / family / homework / studying / rest / Study Support / more rest

Can they do it all? (Yes!) Help the student to divide up the day into sections eg morning / afternoon / after school / evening. Draw up a timetable (proforma on SQA website and there is an ‘App’ for that!). Fill in the essential activities. If there is no time for study - think about priorities.

Encourage students to use the supports provided Teachers Course Outlines Textbooks Notes Websites Facebook/ Blogs (Subject related!) Study Guides SQA / Education Scotland/ Parent Zone

Work with friends – testing each other. Remember repetition / ongoing revision/ going back to basics if necessary Use past papers - but cleverly –Look at questions and analyse what is being asked –Use exam timing. S4 – new courses so no past papers but are SQA recommended books. (SG past papers may be helpful)

Help students prioritise to achieve Minimum of 2 hours per subject per week Most likely that will only cover homework and other essential work. Use even little bits of time (on the bus? Walking to school?) Real study takes time.

Scholar – what is it? Scholar is Heriot Watt University’s world famous on line support. Scholar log in and password - from your class teacher.

Scholar Subject Areas Sciences Mathematics Business Languages

What does Scholar offer? Comprehensive online interactive learning materials, activities, assessments and revision packs. The learning platform gives access to online communities, resources, monitoring information and information tools. Study guides which contain key reference materials and learning activities. Tutor notes with valuable curriculum and planning information.

Education Scotland Parentzone Education Scotland Parentzone Your child at school Curriculum for Excellence Get involved Supporting learning at home Additional support needs Resources for parents

Different ways to study (We don’t all learn the same way!) Write out what has been covered in lessons and what is needed for Prelim. Read textbooks and take notes Re-write notes from jotters Write shortened note forms Practise remembering ** facts

Parents – encourage students to choose the way that suits them. Students can: Rewrite notes for each subject; record on MP3 player/ Ipod …. Post-it notes on walls / pin boards Devise wall charts Draw mind maps

Parents: you can help! A quiet place to study Regular Study Times Take breaks (15 minutes in every hour suits some) Health and Wellbeing –Feed regularly – good fresh food –Sleep regularly –Fresh air and exercise

Be there for them! Coax, cajole, persuade. Keep calm and encouraging. They will do you and, most importantly, themselves proud.