1. Exam Success without the Stress! Tips for Parents

2. Common frustrations for Parents ‘It’s completely different from when I was in school.’ ‘I didn’t even do GCSE’s, how can I help?’ ‘Surely he/she shouldn’t go out again when they have exams coming up’.

3. Meeting Deadlines Make sure your child makes a note of the teacher’s deadline for the controlled assessment. Make sure they use their planners to help schedule their work. Make a plan/personal deadline with their form tutor – discuss with important dates. Be realistic about whether deadlines can be met.

4. Revision Well before exams, plan a revision timetable - should be pinned up and used! Remind your child to plan a varied programme of revision. Your child is likely to find it boring if he/she spends too long studying one topic or subject. Don’t let your child fall into the trap of devoting too much time to favourite subjects. Sensible use of time is particularly important. There will be NO study leave during the exams, and pupils will be encouraged to come in to study.

5. Short bursts of revision – up to 40 mins with small breaks are better for keeping learning fresh in the mind than long periods of concentrated study. Plan small rewards for when a goal has been achieved. Remind your child to study the meaning of words and phrases used in exam papers, such as ‘explain’, ‘comment upon’, ‘describe’. Talking through work is important. Ask your child to act as tutor and teach you all about the topic.

6. Some important dates: November 4 th & 10 th – GCSE Maths Exam. November 30 th 2015 – Mock Exams & Practicals. December 11 th 2015 – GCSE French Speaking Exam January 6 th & 8 th – GCSE English exams. January 8 th 2016 – Mock results day (inc Maths results). January 13 th 2016 – GCSE IT Exam. January 21 st 2016 – Year 11 Parents’ Evening. January 28 th – English Speaking Exam. February 10 th 2016 – 6 th Form Open Evening. March 18 th 2016 – Deadline for completion of all controlled assessments. April 21 st & 23 rd April 2016 – GCSE Art Exam. May 5 th 2016 – GCSE Exams start.