1. Supporting your child through exam preparation

2. 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

3. 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.

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

5. 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

6. Working in partnership
Committed Parents
Committed Teachers
Committed and successful students

7. KS4 Overview

8. Compulsory Subjects - GCSE
English
Maths
Science x2

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

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

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

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

13. 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

14. How can I tell if my child is on track?

15. 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

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

17. 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?

18. 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!

19. 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

20. 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 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

21. 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!!

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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!!

25. 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….

26. 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…

27. 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!!

28. 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….”

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

30. 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!

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

32. Mindmap

33. 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.

34. 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!

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