to our Y11 INFORMATION EVENING A GUIDE FOR SUPPORTINGYOUR CHILD AT HOME Monday 23rd January
Welcome
Progress so far
We would firstly like to say how proud we are of our students and how they have worked and conducted themselves over the last few years.We recognise that it has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone especially for young people.They really are doing a great job!
WHAT CAN WE ALL DO TO PREPARE FOR THE COMING ASSESSMENTS?
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 assessments.
These are worries and concerns that students and
parents have had over many decades, however that does not diminish them for you.
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.
Parental concerns
they always leave everything to the last minute
What does good revision look like?
I didn’t even do GCSEs so how can I help?
They are doing too much much
COMMON PARENT FRUSTRATIONS
They always have an excuse – I don’t know what to believe
COMMON TEENAGE MYTHS I’m revising, I’m reading my notes I’m going to the revision session so don’t need to revise I don’t have any homework I got a 6 in my test so I should be ok Stop NAGGING, it’s too early, I’ll just forget it all Nobody else is revising
HOW CAN PARENTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE? •A DfE research report showed that parental involvement is one of the key factors in 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’ logistics and refuelling)
Students, 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
• Do you know how to revise?
GENERAL REVISION TIPS FOR STUDENTS
The best investment of your time is to make a revision plan and stick to it
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 yourself- or get someone else to 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
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
WORK-LIFE BALANCE –MANAGING STRESS
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/me ntal-wellbeing-tips/youth-mental-health/
Stress is a natural part of being human
Look out for signs of stress –tired-sad-tearful-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
When we become anxious, we get ‘negative thoughts’
WORK-LIFE BALANCE –ANXIETY
“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 bbc.com/ownit The above offers helpful advice
SUMMER EXAMINATIONS
All indications are that examinations will go ahead – so we must plan on this basis.
The summer examination timetable is now on our website: https://www.cryptschool.org/academic-life/examinations
Pupils will also be given a ‘Statement of Entry’ to check, and then their own individualised timetable nearer the time.
Sixth Form • Expect to receive a conditional offer letter from Mr Biggs • If you have applied but do not receive a letter before half term please contact the school (Mrs Wales) • AllYear 11 students have met with a member of SLTto discuss their Post-16 choices • Further support - Mrs Sturge, Mr Biggs, myself, Form tutors, Career Advisors • Summer School will begin the Sixth Form induction process and takes place in June after exams have finished. • Sixth Form enrolment and GCSE results day inAugust.
TRANSITION TO SIXTH FORM Summer School – 26h & 27th June 2023 Exam results day – 24th August 6th Form enrolment day – 24th August
Changes to summer examinations 2023
• Formula sheets will be given to students for maths, physics (and physics for combined science).
• Formula sheets will be given to students for Level 2 maths (those sitting our further maths qualification.
• Grades are due to be aligned to 2019.
• Languages - before the pandemic there was a specific requirement to use vocab that is not on the vocab lists. Exams boards will now provide the meaning of unfamiliar vocab if they consider this necessary.
Contingency Planning
• Contingency plans means we need to have assessment results, just in case exams are cancelled (which is highly unlikely) and teachers have to award a TAG (Teacher Assessed Grade).
• This also means we will retain the December mock papers and the March Assessment papers, after feedback has been given to pupils.
• If necessary we would run another set of exams in the hall.
LINKS TO THE EXAM BOARD WEBSITES •OCR •AQA •Pearson Edexcel •WJEC Eduqas These websites have copies of the specifications and past papers on them for teachers and students to use.
EXAM ENTRIES – MUSIC • Music – if your child has completed at grade 6 or higher a music examination this counts towards their GCSE score. • Please email Ms Glock a picture of the certificate, or bring her the certificate and we will photocopy it. • It also counts as UCAS credit when applying to university.
COMMUNICATION
Parents
Student Teachers
Thank you for being with us this evening. If you have any questions please contact us and we will answer them as soon as we can.