Y11 INFORMATION EVENING 2021

Y11 INFORMATION EVENING A GUIDE FOR SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD AT HOME THURSDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2021

THE PURPOSE OF TONIGHT'S PRESENTAION To help support our Year 11 students, and their families, to prepare for the planned March mock exams, the possible sitting by exam students of an externally set paper in perhaps June or late May, and to assist the students with their ongoing work and revision

To ensure that students know what the content of those mocks will be in terms of papers for each subject.

To give advice and support in how to prepare for upcoming assessments.

To explain the next steps after the assessments are complete.

CONTENT OF MARCH MOCK EXAMS.

Art

NEA portfolio time

3hrs

Biology triple/combined

P2

1hr 45/1hr 15

Business

P2

1hr 30

Chemistry triple/combined

P2

1hr 45/1hr 15

Computer science

P2

1hr 30

Drama

Component 3 Interpreting theatre

1hr

DT

Component 1

1hr 21

English Language

P2

1hr 45

English Literature

Shakespeare & Unseen Poetry

1hr 45

French

Listening, reading & writing

1hr 30

Further Maths

P1 Non-calculator

1hr

Further Maths

P2 Calculator

1hr

Geography

Human geography

1hr 15

German

Listening, reading & writing

1hr 30

History

Conflict & tension & USA

2hrs

Maths

P1 Non-calculator

1hr 30

Maths

P3 Calculator

1hr 30

Music

Listening

1hr

Philosophy & Ethics

Philosophy & Ethics

1hr

Physics triple/combined

P2

1hr 45/1hr 15

Spanish

Listening, reading & writing

1hr 30

Sports Science

P2 Socio-cultural Influences

1hr 15

WHAT CAN WE ALL DO TO PREPARE FOR THE COMING MOCK EXAMINATIONS .

Over the next few slides we will explore some of the worries that your parents may have, and some of the worries that you may have as we approach the mocks.

These are worries and concerns that students and parents have had over many centuries however that does not diminish them.

The exams will come and go and yes ,they are important, but they are not the be all and end all. Get things into perspective.

We can all only do our best.

The route to success is not a straight line and we may take different paths to get there.

56% were feeling the pressure from parents they always leave everything to the last minute They are doing too much much

I didn’t even do GCSEs so how can I help?

What does good revision look like?

COMMON PARENT FRUSTRATIONS They always have an excuse – I don’t know what to believe

56% were feeling the pressure from parents

I’m revising, I’m reading my notes

I don’t have any homework

I got a 6 in my test so I should be ok

COMMON TEENAGE MYTHS Stop NAGGING, its too early, I’ll just forget it all

I’m going to the revision session so don’t need to revise

56% were feeling the pressure from parents HOW CAN PARENTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE? • A DfE research report showed that parental involvement is one of the key factors is securing higher student achievement • You don’t have to be an expert in any subject your child chooses because you are an expert on your child • You are the project manager (finance, tools, testing, ‘work box’ and logistics) refuelling • Do’s and don’ts

• Are things getting on top of you?

• Homework piling up? Talk to HOY/Tutor/ teachers and we can help with this • Pay attention in lessons- you are in the lesson so take the most from it that you can.

• Ask for help from your teacher if you do not understand a topic- the chances are there are others who will be grateful that you asked.

• Attend the support offered • Use the key stage 4 information booklet.

• https://www.cryptschool.org/userfiles/csgmvc/03%20Aca demic%20Life/Y11%20GCSE%20Support%20Booklet%202 020-21%20-%20updated%207-10-20.pdf

The best investment of your time is to make a revision plan and stick to it

GENERAL REVISION TIPS FOR STUDENTS

Get one good revision aid for each subject –check have you got these do you know where your textbooks are?

Pace yourself

Discuss what goals are to be set - what do you want to achieve? ‘at the end of this two hours, I will be able to label the heart and answer a question on it’ then test them Sleep well-eat well- put down your phone!

USEFUL REVISION STRATEGIES

• Revision Strategies • Consider what has worked in the past and what hasn’t worked.

• You may revise differently depending on the subject but try; 1. Using the specification from the exam board 2. Flash Cards 3. Apps/Podcasts 4. Past Papers and Mark Schemes 5. Mind maps

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Attention spans are getting shorter so your child should plan in regular breaks Exercise -get some fresh air- get the blood moving- release those endorphins Talk things through-how are you getting on?

Rewards- a great snack/movie/game time Keep things in perspective

WORK-LIFE BALANCE – MANAGING STRESS

Stress is a natural part of being human Look out for signs of stress –tired-sadtearful-tummy upset-headaches Help them develop a positive mind set, maintain a ‘can do attitude’ The assessments are an opportunity for your child to show what they can do

WORK-LIFE BALANCE – ANXIETY

When we become anxious we get ‘negative thoughts’ “I can’t do anything”…“I can’t answer any of these questions” “I’m going to fail everything” …“Everyone is cleverer than me” STOP AND RE-FOCUS (breathing techniques and mindfulness) ‘I’m having an anxious thought that I can’t complete this Maths question’

SCREEN TIME • Research from Cambridge University showed that those spending an extra hour a day on screens googling/gaming/social media (something we have all had to do lately) saw a fall in GCSE results equivalent to dropping one grade in two subjects.

• Parents find it easier to get children to do homework, go to bed or have a bath than turn off their phones, laptops and TVs • We are seeing an increasing amount of lack of focus and engagement due to tiredness • Apps are available which limit the amount of time on social media • The Charity Action for Children suggest: • Parents turning off their devices at the same time as children • Planning activities that do not include technology

EXAM ENTRIES – MUSIC • Music – if your son has completed grade six music or higher this counts towards his GCSE score.

• Please bring a copy of your certificate, we will photocopy it or email a picture.

• It also counts as UCAS credit when applying to university.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE EXAMS AND ANY OTHER ASSESSMENTS THAT THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE. When we receive deadline dates from Ofqual we will able to properly plan for the Year 11 transition into Year 12. We hope to be able to run a summer school to induct the students back in to sixth form and to bridge the gap between Y11 and Y12. Mr Biggs will be in touch with details regarding this at some point in the near future”.

Perhaps most importantly it will enable them to see their friends re-establish a routine and enjoy the hot summer sunshine out on the school field. 

• https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jan/25/secrets-of-theteenage-brain

USEFUL LINKS

• https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_frie nd • http://www.inc.com/jeremy-goldman/6-apps-to-stop-your-smartphoneaddiction.html • https://www.childline.org.uk/globalassets/info-and-advice/school-workand-college/school-and-college/exam-stress/beat-exam-stress.pdf • http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3xdq6f • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-34139196 • http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07nn86v • https://www.cryptschool.org/userfiles/csgmvc/03%20Academic%20Life/Y11%20GCSE%20Supp ort%20Booklet%202020-21%20-%20updated%207-10-20.pdf

COMMUNICATION Student

Parents

Teachers