1. GCSEs are like Elephants…
They are big
The come at you faster than you would think
If you don’t prepare for their arrival you could get in a mess
When you are close up to them, everyone will be talking about them…

2. One bite at a time…
Please be aware Calthorpe Park School does not condone or encourage the actual eating of elephants. This metaphor is purely for illustrative purposes.
Be assured, no Elephants were harmed in the making of this presentation
Should you feel the need, you can substitute ‘elephant’ for 2 tonne turnip or similar preferred vegetable

3. Revising right is a bit like eating an elephant..
THE SINGLE BIGGEST IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE IS STARTING EARLY AND REVISING IN SMALL CHUNKS
Effective revision always has an element of self testing
The focus is on the output, not the input

5. What is not effective Cramming – least effective of all...
Highlighting/re-reading (one focus/auto-pilot)
Summarising – unless it is to then self test

7. Balanced and Varied diet

8. Made to the right recipe

9. Prepared by experts…

10. Use suitable revision materials Summarise the Subject Knowledge
The best revision starts early and is done in chunks – By doing this you are making some of the most significant affects you can have on making your revision really effective.
What?
How?
Why?
Use suitable revision materials
Revision Guide pages
Moodle subject pages
Text books
Exercise Books
Suitable web pages e.g. Bitesize
You should work from materials that are geared towards your examination and the correct examination board! If you put ‘Atoms’ into a search engine you will not always get pages that help you understand ‘Atoms’ for your GCSE. Check with a teacher if you are not sure
Summarise the Subject Knowledge
Use the skills you have learnt in your study skills sessions, for example:
Bullet points
Mind Maps
Flash Cards
This makes you read it and think about it. This process gives you something to learn which is important for the next two steps where the real revision happens…
It is important to test whether you are using a revision technique which is most effective for you. Not everyone learns in the same way!
Self-Testing
Simple!
Read your summary
Memorise it
Turn it over
Test what you remember
You may want to do this with somebody else…
Research shows this has a huge impact on how effective your revision is. The more you self-test the more you remember, keep going back to old summaries and doing this!
Output
Complete an activity that is the same or similar to your examination:
Past Paper question
Exam style question from internet, revision guide or workbook
Why would you not spend lots of time practising the thing you will have to do!
Sportsmen have practice matches and events and actors have dress rehearsals. Preparing for exams is the same.
Research proves that focussing on your output (questions and tests) rather than input (reading) has a really positive effect on revision.
DWT
Website:
Information/
Exams Information/
Mock Exams
EdulinkOne: personalised timetables
(Left hand menu)
Y11 revision toolkit on the VLE
Increasing Importance
DWT

11. Calthorpe Park Extra - Mock Support
Rationale
To ensure a serious approach, preparation and commitment to their mock exams
To communicate the support being offered clearly with students and parents.
Appropriate programme of support sessions (assemblies, interventions & exam boosters)
SLN

12. Calthorpe Park Extra - Mock Support
Support Activities
Recommended ‘Revision Guide’ list
Suitable websites and Apps signposted
Parents’ Information Evening
Value to student success
Clear and coherent message for ALL stakeholders involved in the process.
SLN

13. Calthorpe Park Extra - Mock Support
Support Activities
4. Assembly to launch the programme Monday 14th October
5. Second assembly to look at how to approach exams to take place on Monday 21st October
Value to student success
Guidance on revising in a planned manner and starting early
Empowering students to tackle the mock exams more effectively and
Help develop better skills with attempting questions.
Understanding of how to utilise teachers’ feedback to benefit future examinations
SLN

14. Calthorpe Park Extra - Mock Support
Support Activities
6. Revision toolkit within Moodle
7. In class revision two weeks before the mock examinations
Value to student success
Time and resources signposted to students
Awareness of how to reflect on their learning for GCSE courses
Revision of specific material from up to 2 years ago.
SLN

15. Calthorpe Park Extra - Mock Support
Support Activities
9. Student Revision Booklet
10. Subject specific support sessions
Value to student success
Teacher led revision/subject support – including ‘Top Tips’ for exams
Discussions will enable peer support to encourage individuals with their personalised learning.
SLN

16. Calthorpe Park Extra - Mock Support
Week 1 (starting Monday 21st October)
DAY
LUNCH
SESSION 1 (3:05 to 3:45)
SESSION 2 (3:50 to 4:30)
MONDAY
Modern Foreign Languages
History
PE/Food and Nutrition/Photography
TUESDAY
Computing/Business/ Psychology
Science - Biology
WEDNESDAY
Art/Music/iMedia/ Drama
Maths
THURSDAY
English
Geography/Technology
FRIDAY
Science – Subject TBC
No Intervention
Week 2 (starting Monday 4th November)
DAY
LUNCH
SESSION 1 (3:05 to 3:45)
SESSION 2 (3:50 to 4:30)
MONDAY
Modern Foreign Languages
PE /Food and Nutrition/Art
History
TUESDAY
Science - Chemistry
Computing/Business/ Psychology
WEDNESDAY
Maths
Music/iMedia/ Drama/Photography
THURSDAY
Geography /Technology
English
FRIDAY
Science - Physics
No Intervention
SLN

17. Calthorpe Park Extra - Mock Support
Support Activities
11. Pre exam booster (top tips) sessions
Value to student success
Subject specialist teachers deliver a short last minute guide to students.
Improves student focus prior to the exam.
SLN

18. …GCSEs are like Elephants