1. GCSE Focus- Reaching Potential

2. Aims for Parents/ Guardians
How to support your child during the GCSE Examination Season
How to help your child with Maths, Science and English
Revision Strategies
Examination Preparation
Opportunity to discuss any issues with a member of staff

3. GCSE Examinations Students will have an examination timetable
Ensure that they know which examination that they have on each day. Is it in the morning or the afternoon?
Check that they know what equipment they should have for each examination

4. Any issues during the Exams
Illness – Contact the School and get appointment at the GP
Pastoral Issues – Contact Mrs Young for support
Subject Concerns – Speak to Mrs Moore

5. English Language English Literature
Examination Dates 2018:
09:00 Tuesday 22nd May Literature Paper 1 1 hour 45 mins marks
09:00 Friday 25th May Literature Paper 2 2 hours 15 mins marks
09:00 Tuesday 5th June Language Paper 1 1 hour 45 mins 80 marks
09: Friday 8th June Language Paper 2 1 hour 45 mins 80 marks
Mr P Bayley
CTL for English

6. The Papers: English Language
4 questions based on an unseen 20th or 21st century fiction text (40 marks)
1 question from a choice of 2 on descriptive or narrative writing (40 marks)
Paper 2:
4 questions based on two unseen non-fiction texts, one from the 19th century and one from either the 20th or 21st century (40 marks)
1 question on a transactional, non-fiction piece of writing (40 marks)
Key information
4 marks = 5 minutes (this gives enough time to read the extracts and write the response) – BE STRICT
Section B – accuracy in your writing is worth 16 marks, content is worth 24

7. English Literature Paper 1:
1 question on Macbeth, with an extract (34 marks)
1 question on Jekyll and Hyde, with an extract (30 marks)
Paper 2:
Choice of 2 questions on An Inspector Calls (34 marks)
1 question on the poetry anthology, comparing 2 poems, one of which is printed for you (30 marks)
2 questions on unseen poetry (24 marks and 8 marks)
Key Information
Section A & B – Approximately 50 minutes on each
Section C – Approximately 30 minutes
Unseen Poetry – Approximately half on the printed poem, half on your chosen 2nd poem

8. How to Revise English DO NOT
HAVE ANY DISTRACTIONS IN THE ROOM – These break your focus
JUST READ FROM A REVISION GUIDE, THE TEXTS OR THE INTERNET – You need to engage with the material DO
CREATE YOUR OWN REVISION MATERIALS – These could be mind-maps, tables or flash-cards
ENSURE YOU ADDRESS YOUR WEAKNESSES WITH THE TEXTS– establish whether you need more quotations for Macbeth, more contextual information for Jekyll and Hyde or more ideas for comparisons between poems and work to address these issues
VISIT THE SCHOOL WEBSITE – Tasks are being added to address your specific weaknesses on a weekly basis

9. Mathematics 2018 Examination Dates 2018:
09:00 Thursday 24th May (Non-calculator) 1 hour 30 mins 80 marks
09:00 Thursday 7th June (Calculator) 1 hour 30 mins 80 marks
09:00 Tuesday 12th June (Calculator) 1 hour 30 mins 80 marks
Any topic can be part of any paper
Mr M Higgins
Trust Director of Mathematics

10. How to Revise Maths DO NOT JUST COMPLETE PAST PAPERS – DO
USE MATHSWATCH (online) – all pupils have a username and password
USE THE GCSE REVISION WORKBOOK – these are for sale through the school
USE AT LEAST ONE PAST PAPER PER WEEK IN ADDITION TO YOUR REVISION – these are all on Google Classroom, so are mark schemes and example solutions

11. Revising Maths: A Revision Cycle✘ ✘ ✘ ✘
Find the section with the correct target grade
Red/Amber/Green flag the topics
Search for the relevant MathsWatch video
MAKE NOTES AS IT PLAYS
When MathsWatch shows a question
PAUSE – ATTEMPT – PLAY - CORRECT
Now use the Revision Workbook
Once you have completed at least four topics attempt a past paper
Compare your paper to the example answers

12. By Mr N Ali Trust Director of Science
How to help support your child in preparation for the upcoming Science exams…
By Mr N Ali
Trust Director of Science

13. Science Exam Key Dates Tues 15th May 2018; Start 13.30PM
Biology Triple Paper 1: Duration 1 hour 45 mins
Combined Science Biology (Trilogy) Paper 1: Duration 1 hour 15mins
Thurs 17th May 2018; Start 9.00AM
Chemistry Triple Paper 1: Duration 1 hour 45 mins
Combined Science Chemistry (Trilogy) Paper 1: Duration 1 hour 15mins
Weds 23rd May 2018; Start 13.30PM
Physics Triple Paper 1: Duration 1 hour 45 mins)
Combined Science Physics (Trilogy) Paper 1: Duration 1 hour 15mins
Mon 11th June 2018; Start 9.00AM
Biology Triple Paper 2: Duration 1 hour 45 mins
Combined Science Biology (Trilogy) Paper 2: Duration 1 hour 15mins
Weds 13th June 2018; Start 9.00AM
Chemistry Triple Paper 2: Duration 1 hour 45 mins
Combined Science Chemistry (Trilogy) Paper 2: Duration 1 hour 15mins
Friday 15th June 2018; Start 9.00AM
Physics Triple Paper 2: Duration 1 hour 45 mins)
Combined Science Physics (Trilogy) Paper 2: Duration 1 hour 15mins

14. Revision Tips
Break up the Science revision into different areas by using the exams timetable…(Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
Focus on the content of each of the papers and the topics that will turn up on the paper
Use resources on Google classrooms to complete question packs and revision resources
Vary the revision so that students are doing different types of activities…(drawing diagrams, learning formulae, mind-maps, summary sheets, loop games and flash cards)
Use the mock papers to identify areas of weakness and tackle these areas first
Become a revision buddy for your son / daughter

15. KEY TOPICS in Triple Science
Biology
1 Cell biology
2 Organisation
3 Infection and response
4 Bioenergetics
5 Homeostasis and response
6 Inheritance, variation and evolution
7 Ecology
Chemistry
8 Atomic structure and the periodic table
9 Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
10 Quantitative chemistry
11 Chemical changes
12 Energy changes
13 The rate and extent of chemical change
14 Organic chemistry
15 Chemical analysis
16 Chemistry of the atmosphere
17 Using Resources
Physics
18 Energy
19 Electricity
20 Particle model of matter
21 Atomic structure
22 Forces
23 Waves
24 Magnetism and electromagnetism
25 Space
KEY TOPICS in Triple Science

16. KEY TOPICS in Science Combined
Biology
1 Cell biology
2 Organisation
3 Infection and response
4 Bioenergetics
5 Homeostasis and response
6 Inheritance, variation and evolution
7 Ecology
Chemistry
9 Atomic structure and the periodic table
10 Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
11 Quantitative chemistry
12 Chemical changes
13 Energy changes
14 The rate and extent of chemical change
15 Organic chemistry
16 Chemical analysis
17 Chemistry of the atmosphere
Physics
20 Energy
21 Electricity
22 Particle model of matter
23 Atomic structure
24 Forces
25 Waves
26 Magnetism and electromagnetism
KEY TOPICS in Science Combined

17. How can I help my child?
Ask if they need help on regular occasions. Gentle reminders work best!
Stay calm. Teenagers taking exams can get tunnel vision, so rows can be common place at the stressful time. Anger can be a cover for fear
You can’t make them study, but you can emphasise why they need to study
Try to diffuse negative thoughts. Try to be realistic.
Ensure you child is eating regular meals and eating food that will help them

18. How to help you child deal with common exam issues
“ There is so much to learn”
Have a revision calendar
Write on the Exams and key dates
Divide the day into three sessions (morning, afternoon and evening)
Focus on subject topics
Have variety in subjects and activities

19. How to help you child deal with common exam issues
40 minutes revising
10 minutes testing
10 minutes resting

20. Spend time making a thorough revision timetable and STICK TO IT
How to Revise…
MON
TUES
WEDS
THURS
FRI
SAT
SUN
Morning
SCHOOL
HIST
- WW2
FRENCH
- writing
Afternoon
RELAX
RECAP
Evening
MATHS - algebra
ENG
– poems
BIOL
- nerves
– algebra
- poems
CHEM
– salt
- salt
Spend time making a thorough revision timetable and STICK TO IT

21. How to help you child deal with common exam issues
“ I can’t concentrate!”
Concentration levels do vary for each individual
Begin working for short periods
Introduce the ideas of rewards and goals

22. How to help you child deal with common exam issues
“ This is so boring…..”
Revision is not fun!
Get actively involved with the materials
Use a range of techniques
Have variety and goals

23. Ways to revise… Games and quizzes Websites Group revision Video/audio
Become a teacher
Just a minute
Mindmaps
Index/flash cards
Past papers
Memory skills
Look/cover/write/
Check
Posters
Topic ranking

25. Write the key term or concept on one side of the flash card
Write short, concise notes on the other side of the flash card
Make sure your writing is large, clear, and well-spaced
Write in bright colours
Use shorthand to save space

26. How to help you child deal with common exam issues
“I like studying in bed”
Have a quiet place without distractions
Insist on no TV, no computer games and no phone calls when revising
Ensure a place at a table or desk
Quiet music in the background

27. How to help you child deal with common exam issues
“I can’t remember anything”
This is a panic cry
Try to recall information after a revision session
Use strategies such as charts to jog memories, post-it notes of key terms

29. Create a Central Idea. The central idea is the starting point of your Mind Map and represents the topic you are going to explore
Add branches to your map. The next step to get your creative juices flowing is to add branches
Add keywords
Colour code your branches
Include images

30. How to help you child deal with common exam issues
“I don’t understand”
Contact Mrs Moore
Use a range of resources including textbooks, revision guides and notes
Examination Boards have guidance

31. Tips from Parents
“As a parent it is never good to get caught up in arguing about revision, however frustrated you may get. Try to remain calm and be open to negotiation when it comes to free time/rewards”
“Don’t try to make your child sit at a table for hours revising. It doesn’t work. Encourage short timed sessions of revision”

32. Tips from Parents
“Encourage them to talk to you about what they have been doing. It’s good for them to know that you are interested!”
“Help them to stay calm. It’s always about trying to do their best and come away knowing that they have tried their hardest!”

33. “Organisation! Organisation! Organisation!”
Tips from Parents
“If you find yourself getting stressed out, step back. Ask for support from a family member. Share the worry!”
“Plan in ‘guilt- free’ me time. This will reward revision. Let them enjoy playing on the computer game, watching TV etc”
“Organisation! Organisation! Organisation!”

34. Tips from Parents
“Make sure they have a dedicated study area. Try to organise work by subjects. Stick the revision timetable up somewhere”
“Keep in touch with them. Encourage them every day…..don’t nag!”

35. Tips from Parents
“I leave for work at 7.30am and my child is still in bed. I don’t think they will revise if I’m not there”.
“Wake them up before you go. Keep in touch with them. Link to a reward system (as long as you see evidence!)
Test them when you get back on all they have revised that day while you are at work!
Ask relatives to check in with your child on a regular basis”.

36. Thursday 5th April
Friday 6th April
Monday 9th April
Tuesday 10th
Wednesday 11th
Thursday 12th
Friday 13th
Art
Russian
Product Design
English
Science
French
Italian
Drama
Maths
Media

37. You can