1. Raising Achievement

2. Aims 1.Help support Y10 to prepare for GCSE exams this year. 2.Use the skills we develop for preparing for exams in Y11. 3.Develop some ideas for different revision techniques.

3. Back to basics TV, earphones, phones and PC. Quiet, well lit, well ventilated. Encourage a healthy diet, plenty of water. Encourage plenty of sleep – top tips (eating, video games, exercise). Learning is best when we’re fresh. Ensure there is time to relax and switch off. Help structure time and stick to it. Let them know that they are supported.

4. GCSE exams this year English – 29 th May (ALL students) Maths – 13 th and 15 th of June (ALL except top maths set) Science – 15 th May, 15 th June x 2, 22 nd June (ALL except BTEC and OCR National) Engineering diploma – 16 th of May Media – 14 th of June Business – 22 nd of May

5. Controlled Assessment (new 2010) Work set by the exam board, done in lesson time under ‘controlled conditions’ (supervised) and is marked by the teacher. Marks will form a percentage of the overall subject grade. Can make up between 25% to 60% of some courses now. Preparation is needed, however work can not be completed at home (‘no control’).

6. The secret of exam success Planning and preparation! Help your child to stick to a clear revision plan and use a variety of revision methods that will make them feel in control of their work.

7. Tips for revision planning

8. Before you start Form tutor will help your child to work out a revision timetable for each subject. We will encourage them to break revision time into small chunks – 30 minute blocks with short breaks at the end of each session often work well.

9. 8am9am1011am121pm2pm3pm4pm5pm67pm8pm9pm MonEatSklSkoSklEatSkl Paper Round Hwk Eat EnglishOther TV TueEatSklSkoSklEatSkl Paper Round EatBasketball MathsOther WedEatSklSkoSklEatSkl Paper Round Hwk Eat Other TV ThuEatSklSkoSklEatSkl Paper Round Hwk Eat Youth club Science FriEatSklSkoSklEatSkl Paper Round Eat Party SatEatEngMaSciEat Help at home Basketball Hwk X- Box Eat Sun Sleep Help at home EatFamily event Timetable Example

10. Helping them prepare Make sure your child has all the essential revision guides and materials. Consider new stationery, highlighters and pens to make revision more engaging.

11. We all have different learning styles, but a mixture of all of them suits most of us best. Here are some techniques they might like to try: So, how will your children learn? What techniques can they use?

12. Some techniques to try

13. Revision Guides Revision Workbooks Past papers Subject specific material

14. Subject specific Use the ‘look, say, cover, write, check’ method Be able to define Key Words

15. For really tricky words, students can write their own mnemonic to help them remember - Mnemonics

16. Red Elephants Memorise Every Motor Bike Ever Ridden

17. Use post-it notes, strategically placed around your home, to remind them of tricky facts. They need to choose places they go to / use regularly! Condense information down Post it Notes

18. Test your child. OR Get them to be the teacher! Once they have revised a topic, get them to teach it to someone else. Test it

19. They might try recording their own notes and listening to them last thing at night. They can upload their recording to their ipod and listen to it on the way to and from school etc. If they are musically inclined, they can set their notes to the tune of their favourite tune and sing them! Listen to it

20. Don’t forget the internet! School Website Learning platform Subject specific website (Maths, Science, English) Online revision

21. Help your child to make a mind map – for each topic. Mind Map

22. Technique 8.

23. Each card should include one chunk of information. Write the topic on one side of the card, on the other write the key facts for this topic. Revision Cards

24. Encourage your child to attend any revision classes offered and remember there is a study club on Wednesday nights for revision and catch-up (ask individual staff). Revision Classes

25. Red: Danger! Really not sure about this; so I need to focus, get the help I need and get it clear in my mind Amber: Okay – I’m a bit unsure; I need a little more time to understand this Green: Go! Go! Go! – I’m confident, but I must still make time to revise for this and not get complacent Traffic Lighting

26. The importance of staying positive What you think How you feel How you behave

27. Motivation Sustaining revision can be challenging. The students who ‘buy in’ are more likely to succeed. Goals at the end of Y11. Career or life plans. Positive reinforcement – verbal. Rewards/treats – small and biggish.

28. Beware!! Avoid the temptation to focus on what they are good at or what they most enjoy…human nature! Give extra time to areas they find more difficult and, possibly, less interesting. Don’t leave gaps in knowledge, they may be on the exam. Traffic lighting learning could help.

29. Planned revision, prepared. Regular breaks. Exercise. Positive thinking. Don’t try to be perfect. Keep perspective/seek help. Stress management

30. Make sure you know the date and time of each exam FINALLY!!!