Year 11 GCSE Prep Materials

YEAR 11 GCSE PREPARATION MATERIALS

MARCH 2024

REVISION TIPS

There are many different strategies you can use to revise but some of the preferred methods are not always the most effective. Here are some tips, backed up by cognitive science, to help you prepare for your exams.

HOW TO REVISE

Break your revision down into 1-hour chunks and stick to your revision timetable. Here is how you should spend your hour:

1. Spend 5 minutes getting everything out that you need: notes, text book, laptop, pens etc. Most importantly, make sure your phone is not on view (ideally in another room).

2. Spend 25 minutes taking notes from your class notes/text book/videos/work on Google Classroom. Here is how to spend your time well:

•

• Decide what works for you e.g. using flash cards, mind maps or a notebook. This will depend on subject content as well as your preference for note taking.

3. Now take a 5-minute break. It is important to have a complete change of environment so go for a short walk around the house/garden.

4. Spend 25 minutes completing exam practice questions.

• just taken notes on but they need to be questions that require you to apply your knowledge.

• ions.

5. Spend the last few minutes recording what you know and what you need to improve on next time you revise this topic again.

THE BEST WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY

1. Retrieval practice

How to do it:

• This is where you generate answers to questions e.g. past papers, practise essay questions and multiple-choice questions use learning platforms such as Seneca/Kahoot/Blooket etc.

Why it works:

• Retrieval practice helps combat the negative effects of stress (exams) and so you are better prepared for exam conditions.

• In studies, students who practised this method performed up to 50% better in their exams than those who just re-read their notes.

2. Spacing

How to do it:

• Do little chunks of revision, often. Cramming is not effective so it is important to follow your revision timetable.

• The further away the exam, the longer the gaps between study sessions should be. When you are on the verge of forgetting the information, is the best time to revisit and revise this material.

• Interleaving is also useful. This is when you alternate topics and subjects you are revising. Again, follow your revision timetable!

Why it works:

• Using spacing instead of cramming has resulted in a 10-30% difference in final exam results, according to several studies.

• We tend to remember the first and last things we revise so revisiting the material is important to fill gaps in our knowledge.

• In another study, students who spaced out their revision sessions scored 74% higher than those who crammed.

3. Reading out loud

How to do it:

• Study by reading the information out loud is 12% more effective than reading in silence. You could also create a recording of yourself and listen back to it.

Why it works:

• Reading out loud is an active event and it requires visual processing so it helps establish anchors in the brain to make knowledge stick. It is also self-referential meaning that because you read the information, it is more meaningful and therefore easier to remember.

4. Drawing for learning

How to do it:

• Drawing pictures which relate to the information you are studying means you create something new from the material you are learning. Students who did this performed better in their final exams.

Why it works:

• You need more learning time to draw the pictures so you have more time to analyse and process the information covered. Students who drew pictures also reported putting more effort into their learning.

5. Teaching others

How to do it:

• Students who had to teach the material to someone else remembered more of the material and did so in a more efficient way than those who did not. As a result, they performed 12% better in test conditions.

• Teach your family about the information you have learnt. Explain it to them whenever you can e.g. at the dinner table or on a car journey.

Why it works

• Verbalising the information you have learnt requires a need to understand it in order to explain it to others.

• The only thing to be wary of is that you are not teaching misconceptions! Make sure the information you are teaching is accurate.

THE BEST WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR WELLBEING

1. Sleep

How to do it:

• Aim for at least 9 hours a night. Try to have a consistent bedtime routine by going to bed and getting up at the same time each night.

Why it works:

• are more likely to forget positive memories and focus on negative ones. This can increase anxiety and low mood.

2. Exercise

How to do it:

• When taking revision breaks, go for a walk as it increases the feelings of happiness, attentiveness and confidence. Even a 5to walk outside to feel the benefits.

• Those who regularly exercise cope better with stressful situations and report feeling more alert and focused.

3

Why it works:

• Exercise helps to oxygenate the brain and release tension, helping you to keep calm, mentally relax and study more efficiently.

3. Diet

How to do it:

• Eat healthily and have regular meals whilst revising and in particular make sure you have breakfast every day. Why it works:

• Students who ate breakfast showed better memory and attention.

• It has also been linked to better eating habits and improved physical and mental health.

4. Screen time

How to do it:

• Small amounts of screen time are not harmful and may even have some benefits. Being on a screen for one hour before bed hardly affects your sleep but more than this is damaging.

• Turn down the backlight on your phone a few hours before bed to help you sleep.

Why it works:

• Using a screen for two hours before bed results in 20% less melatonin (the sleep hormone) being released which will affect your sleep. This is particularly detrimental during stressful times such as exam periods when you are already finding it hard to sleep.

THE WORST WAYS TO REVISE

• Highlighting your notes despite this being the favoured method of students it does not commit information to long-term memory

• Simply re-reading notes this does not make information stick and you are easily distracted when reading notes

• Cramming this will only allow information to enter your short-term memory which has extremely limited capacity

• Having your phone in the room with you the mere presence of a phone leads to a 20% reduction in attention, concentration and performance

• Revising to music students who revised in quiet environments performed over 60% better in exams than those who listened to music

TARGET SETTING

Look back at your Year 10 exam performance and targets set in each of your subjects. Consider the following questions as you reflect on your performance to date:

• What was your approach to revision? Was it effective?

• Did you spend long enough revising? Why? Why not?

• Did you do enough past papers when revising?

• Did you follow a certain structure when answering longer questions?

• Did you underline key/command words in the question?

• How was your time management in the exam?

• Is there a pattern in your approach? E.g. have you answered a certain style of questions well/poorly? Is this consistent across the paper(s)?

• What will you do differently next time?

Now complete the table below by looking at the areas you think you need to focus on in terms of course content (knowledge) you still need to work on, and assessed work i.e. how you perform in and prepare for exams (application and skills):

Head of department

Link to specification

ART AND DESIGN: FINE ART

Art and Design: Fine Art (1FA0)

Mrs L Williams

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Art%20and%20Design/2016/specification-and-sampleassessments/gcse-art-design-2016-spec.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Component 1 (Coursework)

Component one consists of your two coursework projects, preparation for this evidenced in your two sketchbooks and two final outcomes.

Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment)

Your ESA will consist of a sketchbook which documents the development of your own ideas. You will plan your final response and create this under exam conditions over ten hours. Your sketchbook must be completed and handed in on the first day of your exam.

Your exam will be Tuesday 30 April & Wednesday 1 May 2024.

What is the best way to prepare for your fine art exam?

• Make sure you have developed your ideas from their starting point

• Make sure you have worked in a variety of media but refine your use of chosen media for final outcomes (painting, multimedia, print-making or sculpture)

• Your ideas should have a clear link to your artist(s) of choice

• Consider the formal elements and how you have used these

• Annotate your ideas in your sketchbook analyse and avoid descriptions

• Make sure your sketchbook is up to date and all the pages are presented clearly and to a high standard

• Think about the order in which you are going to create your final piece in the exam time. Make notes in the back of your sketchbook to plan your time

• Read and think about the assessment objectives and make sure your studies are covering criteria for the level you are aiming for

Teacher in charge

ART AND DESIGN: PHOTOGRAPHY

Art and Design: Photography (1PY0)

Mrs H Bradshaw

Link to specification

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Art%20and%20Design/2016/specification-and-sampleassessments/gcse-art-design-2016-spec.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 1 (Coursework)

Component one consists of your two coursework projects, preparation for this evidenced in your two sketchbooks and two final outcomes.

Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment)

Your ESA will consist of a sketchbook which documents the development of your own ideas in response to the Externally Set Assignment. You will plan your final response and create this under exam conditions over ten hours. Your sketchbook must be completed and handed in on the first day of your exam.

Your exam will be Tuesday 30 April & Wednesday 1 May 2024.

What is the best way to prepare for your photography exam?

• Plan and take final photographs in advance of the exam, especially if these are to be taken at a specific location and time of day. Images will need to be brought in before the exam on the original SD card, unedited

• Make sure your sketchbook is up to date and all the pages are presented clearly and to a high standard. Read the assessment objectives and check that you are meeting the criteria for the grade you are aiming to attain overall

• Your ideas should have a clear link to your chosen photographer(s) and theme

• Annotate your ideas in your sketchbook analyse and avoid descriptions

• In the weeks running up to the exam, make sure you have fully tested and documented the techniques you intend to use for your final outcome, this will give you a clear indication of the length of time each process will take

• Write a clear exam plan using the template provided on our Google Classroom and include details of all materials necessary, include a printed copy of the plan in your sketchbook

• At least one teaching week before the exam, gather all materials so that you can begin working efficiently on your final piece on the day of the exam

Teacher in charge

ART AND DESIGN: TEXTILE DESIGN

Art and Design: Textile Design (8204)

Ms M Ritchie

Link to specification

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/art-and-design/specifications/AQA-ART-GCSE-SP-2016.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 1 (Coursework)

You will have been completing textile responses

Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment)

completed a sketchbook, development board and outcome for each project that will form the coursework mark.

Your ESA will consist of a sketchbook and A3 mood board which documents the development of your own ideas in response to the Externally Set Assignment. You will plan your final response and create this under exam conditions, over ten hours. Your sketchbook and A3 board must be completed and handed in on the first day of your exam.

Your exam will be Tuesday 7 & Wednesday 8 May 2024.

What is the best way to prepare for your textile design exam?

• You should have a focused theme which links clearly to suggested and independently sourced contextual links

• Make sure you have explored a variety of textile responses that are relevant to your intentions

• Ensure you have developed ideas from the starting point, towards a resolved outcome

• Make sure your sketchbook is up to date and all pages are presented clearly and to a high standard

• Annotate your ideas in your sketchbook analyse and avoid descriptions

• Build up and overlap various textiles specialisms

• Complete your planning sheet prior to the exam, consider the order to complete wet work first

• Buy any materials you need prior to the exam, as well as bringing in all relevant equipment and materials

• You will need to print all sublimation and printing required before the start of the exam

• Read and think about the assessment objectives and make sure your studies are covering criteria for the level you are aiming for

Head of department

BIOLOGY (SEPARATE SCIENCE)

Biology GCSE (8461H)

Mr A Boothe

Link to specification

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/biology/specifications/AQA-8461-SP-2016.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

4.1.1 Cell structure

4.1.2 Cell division

4.1.3 Transport in cells

4.2.1 Principles of organisation

4.2.2 Animal tissues, organs and organ systems

4.2.3 Plant tissues, organs and systems

4.3.1 Communicable diseases

4.3.2 Monoclonal antibodies

4.3.3 Plant disease

4.4.1 Photosynthesis

4.5.1 Homeostasis

The human nervous system

Hormonal coordination in humans

Plant hormones 4.6.1 Reproduction

4.6.2

4.7.3

4.7.4

4.7.5

Food production

What is the best way to revise biology?

Everyone has a different revision style. What is key to all of it is knowing what you are studying. For this you must refer to the specification.

• Make notes, mind maps or flash cards from the specification using the CGP revision guides and BBC Bitesize to help you (work section by section).

• Complete myGCSE worksheets on each topic or past paper questions which can all be found on the Google Classroom drive.

• Mark your answers and make the corrections (this is key).

• Then progress to full past papers (initially with no time limit but then introduce timed sessions).

• Again, marking these and amending errors by hand will help your understanding and exam technique.

• Rinse, repeat and reward yourself every time you complete a section.

Useful resources

Google Classroom drive:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CR4XJFHx1C976-bsP8L67d0cz-u3V_Uv?usp=sharing

Past paper questions:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461/assessment-resources

Cognito:

https://www.cognitoresources.org/ PM Tutor:

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/

Head of department

Link to specification

Business GCSE (1BS0)

Mr N Rocca

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Business/2017/specification-and-sampleassessments/gcse-business-spec-2017.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

What is the best way to revise business?

• There is a lot of content to revise. Make sure you break down your revision into chunks of no more than an hour

• Make sure you use your folder and the CGP Business text book.

• Other sources of knowledge are the revision PowerPoints and knowledge tracker which are in Google Classroom. Also, on Google Classroom attempt the multiple-choice questions for the different themes of the course. Seneca, Kahoot, and BBC Bitesize can also be used.

• You could make notes, create flash cards for example, on one side the key term and the other side the answer. You could also list a source of finance and then write the advantages and disadvantages on the other side of the card.

• You could make a mind map for each topic - for example, 1.1 Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. It is important that you test yourself and make revision an active process.

• Practise exam style questions.

• the exam style questions using the worked examples and the exam technique map in Google Classroom. Sometimes there is not enough space to answer questions fully in the space provided so use extra paper to answer the questions.

• Also attempt past papers and the end of theme tests - these can be found on Google Classroom.

• For any gaps in your knowledge from last year work through PPTs and worksheets for theme 1 - these can be found on Google Classroom.

Head of department

CHEMISTRY (SEPARATE SCIENCE)

Chemistry GCSE (8462H)

Mrs R Michael

Link to specification

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/chemistry/specifications/AQA-8462-SP-2016.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

1 Atomic structure and the Periodic Table

2 Bonding, structure and the properties of matter

3 Quantitative chemistry

4 Chemical changes

5 Energy changes

6 Rate of reaction and Extent of Chemical change

7 Organic chemistry

8 Chemical Analysis

9 Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10 Using Resources

What is the best way to revise chemistry?

There is a lot of factual content in chemistry that must be learnt well so that you can apply your knowledge effectively to examination questions. It is important that you find revision strategies that suit your type of learning. Remember that revision is an active process that must be done regularly to retain knowledge. Try to commit your revision activities to no more than sessions of 30 minutes at a time if possible. Popular revision techniques are listed below.

There are three parts to revision: checking your knowledge, retrieval and practice:

Knowledge

Condense your notes by making summaries of the main points. Break down large amounts of information into smaller units by identifying similarities or patterns and grouping information into manageable chunks.

Retrieval

This can be achieved by creating mind maps, flashcards and quick quizzes from your summary notes. Quizlets and Seneca Learning are two websites that allow to use their flashcards or make your own:

Quizlet Learning tools and flashcards - for free! | Quizlet

Seneca Learning Free Homework & Revision for A Level, GCSE, KS3 & KS2 (senecalearning.com) Practice

To monitor progress, practise past paper questions and correct your answers using the mark schemes. Past paper questions can be found here:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462/assessmentresources?f.Resource+type%7C6=Question+papers

Look at the Google Drive link for information on how to prepare for your GCSE Chemistry revision and exam: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11oc7hVpLYyl-jlPF_sSxr7c9HWwJpJ_j

Watching YouTube Revision playlists

Look at the following YouTube playlists, which provide short clear information on the two papers you will be sitting in the summer:

Paper 1: https://www.youtube.com/@Freesciencelessons/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=1

Paper 2: https://www.youtube.com/@Freesciencelessons/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=4

Head of department

COMBINED SCIENCE

Combined Science GCSE (8464H)

Mr D Ridings

Link to specification

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/science/specifications/AQA-8464-SP-2016.PDF

GCSE exam

- summer 2024

4.4.2 Respiration

4.5.1 Homeostasis

4.5.2 The human nervous system

4.5.3 Hormonal coordination in humans

4.6.1 Reproduction

4.6.2 Variation and evolution

4.6.3 The development of understanding of genetics and evolution

4.6.4 Classification of living organisms

4.7.1 Adaptations, interdependence and competition

4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem

4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems

Chemistry

For this paper, the following list shows the major focus of the content of the exam:

5.1 Atomic structure and the Periodic Table

5.2 Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter

5.3 Quantitative chemistry

5.4 Chemical changes

5.5 Energy changes

5.6 The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change

5.7 Organic chemistry

5.8 Chemical Analysis

5.9 Chemistry of the Atmosphere

5.10 Using Resources

Physics

• Energy

• Electricity

• Particle model of matter

• Atomic Structure

• Forces

• Waves

• Magnetism and electromagnetism

What is the best way to revise biology?

Everyone has a different revision style. What is key to all of it is knowing what you are studying. For this you must refer to the specification.

• Make notes, mind maps or flash cards from the specification using the CGP revision guides and BBC Bitesize to help you (work section by section).

• Complete myGCSE worksheets on each topic or past paper questions which can all be found on the Google Classroom drive.

• Mark your answers and make the corrections (this is key).

• If you are feeling any area is particularly weak, book a clinic with your teacher.

• Then progress to full past papers (initially with no time limit but then introduce timed sessions).

• Again, marking these and amending errors by hand will help your understanding and exam technique.

• Rinse, repeat and reward yourself every time you complete a section.

Google Classroom drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CR4XJFHx1C976-bsP8L67d0cz-u3V_Uv?usp=sharing

Past paper questions:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461/assessment-resources

Cognito:

https://www.cognitoresources.org/ PM Tutor:

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/

What is the best way to revise chemistry?

There is a lot of factual content in chemistry that must be learnt well so that you can apply your knowledge effectively to examination questions. It is important that you find revision strategies that suit your type of learning. Remember that revision is an active process that must be done regularly to retain knowledge. Try to commit your revision activities to no more than sessions of 30 minutes at a time if possible. Popular revision techniques are listed below.

There are three parts to revision: checking your knowledge, retrieval and practice:

Knowledge

Condense your notes by making summaries of the main points. Break down large amounts of information into smaller units by identifying similarities or patterns and grouping information into manageable chunks.

Retrieval

This can be achieved by creating mind maps, flashcards and quick quizzes from your summary notes. Quizlets and Seneca Learning are two websites that allow to use their flashcards or make your own:

Quizlet Learning tools and flashcards - for free! | Quizlet

Seneca Learning Free Homework & Revision for A Level, GCSE, KS3 & KS2 (senecalearning.com)

Practice

To monitor progress, practise past paper questions and correct your answers using the mark schemes. Past paper questions can be found here:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462/assessmentresources?f.Resource+type%7C6=Question+papers

Look at the Google Drive link for information on how to prepare for your GCSE Chemistry revision and exam: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11oc7hVpLYyl-jlPF_sSxr7c9HWwJpJ_j?usp=sharing

Watching revision videos

To help you organise your chemistry revision, look at the following YouTube playlists for the two papers you will sit in the summer:

Paper 1: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9IouNCPbCxUqeRrrhpjcoEBkyJ9_FpKh

Paper 2: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9IouNCPbCxUGwSNNG2WSJEA3eoJ6ap0V

Working scientifically:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyc-_kBKsq4

What is the best way to revise physics?

Physics is a technique-heavy, knowledge-application-based subject so you need to develop strong skills at solving physics puzzles and thinking in logical ways. Revision should mainly take the form of practising exam style questions (with some self-testing of the key equations which you will need to commit to memory). Limit your revision activities to blocks of 30 minutes at a time if possible. Useful revision techniques are listed below with most effective at the top of the list.

Everything you need to know for your GCSE Combined Science Physics revision can be found at this Google Drive link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1r-yJ89ProhY7-WVJ3vb1j9ukdtxdWirT?usp=sharing

1. Watching revision videos

You will find some excellent revision videos to watch in section 2 of the Revision Checklist found here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DyZ5tDIXxeTcY_NzPxD5peWFso-mOdJ-zmYlO7YhMwY/edit

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9IouNCPbCxU3bKmUzQ4wvtRwS_n870G0

2. Practising exam style questions

Pick a topic that you find difficult. Print out and complete some practice questions from that topic. There are mark schemes to mark your answers

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hmwD5dS9B3azO9e4ybzjZptjDRlDTKSM?usp=sharing

or videos from section 3 below to revisit the theory on that topic and re-attempt the question. If you are still struggling, bring the question along to physics clinic and get some help from your teacher. There are also lots of practice questions in your CGP book if you run out of questions in the folders linked above.

(https://www.cognitoresources.org/)

Questions are listed by topic, and mark schemes are also included.

3. Flash cards and self-testing of key equations

In the Google Drive folder linked at the top of this section you will find a list of key equations plus a list of equation triangles. Although you will be given a formula sheet in your 2024 exams, you will still need to make a big effort to practise using and rearranging the equations on the first two pages of this list. It is recommended that you make flash cards of the key formulae and use these to test yourself with rearranging and recalling equations and key knowledge:

https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/d67bb0b0-3811-11e8-a24c-b3fb45e9678a/section/dbf424503811-11e8-a24c-b3fb45e9678a/session

Teacher in Charge

Link to specification

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer Science GCSE (J277)

Mrs A Taylor

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/558027-specification-gcse-computer-science-j277.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

1.1 Systems architecture

1.1.1 Architecture of the CPU

1.1.2 CPU performance

1.1.3 Embedded systems

1.2 Memory and storage

1.2.1 Primary storage (Memory)

1.2.2 Secondary storage

1.2.3 Units

1.2.4 Data storage (numbers, characters, images, sound)

1.2.5 Compression

1.3 Computer networks, connections and protocols

1.3.1 Networks

1.3.2 Wired and wireless networks and protocols

1.4 Network security

1.4.2 Identifying and preventing vulnerabilities

1.5 Systems software

1.5.1 Operating systems

1.5.2 Integrated Development Environment

1.6 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology

2.1 Algorithms

2.1.1 Computational thinking

2.1.2 Designing, creating and refining algorithms

2.1.3 Searching and sorting algorithms

2.2 Programming fundamentals

2.2.1 Programming fundamentals

2.2.2 Data types

2.2.3 Additional programming techniques

2.3 Producing robust programs

2.3.1 Defensive design

2.3.2 Testing

2.4 Boolean logic

2.4.1 Boolean logic

2.5 Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments

2.5.1 Languages

2.5.2 Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

What is the best way to revise computer science?

There is more content in paper 01 but you should allow the same amount of time for practising algorithm-style questions in preparation for paper 02. Break down your revision into hour-log chunks and aim to follow the same routine during each revision session:

• Have ready: revision checklist, text book, notes, Classwork tab in Google Classroom (you will see topics listed on left-hand side, including Revision, Coding challenges and Key materials).

• Make notes using the material on Google Classroom, your textbook, and/or one of the websites listed below. Do not just read/highlight, but make new summative notes and/or mind maps of the main points in each topic. For the algorithms paper you should redo some of the 40 challenges and Coding Challenges and compare your solutions to previous ones.

• Keywords are available for ALL topics in a spreadsheet on Google Classroom (under Key materials). You need to learn these for each topic.

• Take a break.

• Test yourself using past examination questions for the topic you are revising. Questions can be found at the end of each chapter in your textbook, or you can download some past papers from the OCR website using the link below. (You can also use questions from the J276 specification).

• Check that you know the key words for the topic. (You can use https://www.memrise.com/ for this).

• In longer questions remember to:

o say what you know and expand

o apply it to the scenario in the question. SEA (State, Expand, Apply).

Useful resources

Isaac Computer Science: https://isaaccomputerscience.org/topics?examBoard=all&stage=gcse

BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zmtchbk

OCR past papers: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/computer-science-j277-from-2020/assessment/

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (RESISTANT MATERIALS)

Head of department

Link to specification

Design and Technology IGCSE (0979)

Mr P Gladstone

https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/597100-2023-syllabus.pdf

IGCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

• Design sketches

• Orthographic Drawing/Isometric Drawing

• Dimensioning & Scale

• Rendering (using coloured pencils)

• Problem Analysis (5 key areas of design)

• Writing an Evaluation

• Producing a Specification

• Methods of Manufacture

Part A

• Polymers

• Types of Wood

• Types of Metal

• Smart and modern materials

• Composite Materials Part B

• Planning and making (traditional hand tools and using CAD/CAM)

• Understand methods of manufacture

What is the best way to revise design & technology?

As the DT exams will test your subject knowledge as well as examine your design and communication skills, it is important to divide your time accordingly. You have a comprehensive revision pack on your laptop, which includes past papers, revision cards and good practice.

• Have ready: text book, revision notebook, pens and drawing equipment, plain paper, laptop

• For Paper 1 - as this is testing knowledge and practical skills you should practise and refine your design and communication drawing. You can choose a past paper question or select an everyday product to draw and analyse. Include one or two of the following topics to practise.

o Sketching ideas (p22 & p34) and orthographic drawing (p23).

o designing products (p36, p166-167).

o Understand methods of manufacture (p42-46).

o Use of Ergonomic and Anthropometric data (p72-77).

o Health and Safety (p60-62).

• Take a break to review your drawings. Think about the clarity, use of colour, use of dimensions and scale.

• Paper 2 Part A will test your knowledge of tools, materials and processes. These are short answers worth 1-4 marks

o Polymers (Plastics) (p173)

o Types of Wood (p177)

o Types of Metal (p189)

o Smart and modern materials (p170)

o Composite Materials (p184)

• Part B will ask you to improve or complete a design using a step by step approach. You will need to consider each stage and will have to draw as well as answering questions. Make sure to review:

o Planning and making (traditional hand tools and using CAD/CAM) (p195-221)

o Understand methods of manufacture (p42-46).

DRAMA

Head of department

Link to specification

Drama GCSE (1DR0)

Mr I Williams

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Drama/2016/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessmen ts/GCSE2016_L12_Drama_Issue_2_Specification.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Section A Section B

Bringing Texts to Life: An Inspector Calls

Knowledge & Understanding

• Understand production ELEMENTS and theatrical conventions

• Understand role of theatre makers (performers, directors and designers)

• Understand social, historical and cultural context

Developing Skills

• Analyse and evaluate the work of theatre-makers

• Recognise challenges of performers, directors and designers based on exploring the text practically

USE SUBJECT SPECIFIC TERMINOLOGY

What is the best way to revise drama?

Live Theatre

Two questions on a live theatre performance seen 15 marks

500 word notes taken in with you.

2023: Edexcel are allowing Section B Live Theatre Evaluation to be based on a live streamed, digital or recorded performance.

• Have ready: your copy of An Inspector Calls, lesson notes, revision sheets, pens and laptop.

• Make notes and note down any quotes from your scripts onto your laptop/revision cards. Do not just highlight in your text, ensure you have written down key moments/quotes. Use your notebooks, make flashcards, mind map characters.

• Key facts from original performance (Priestley).

• Go outside!

• Test yourself with exam questions. You do not need to do them in exam conditions and use the mark schemes to correct your answers once you have finished. Choose questions that require you to apply your knowledge and understanding.

• 4 and 6 mark questions - Think like a PERFORMER

o Try to ensure that examples complement each other- e.g. talk about a gesture and a facial expression for the same line or section in the text or reference stage directions.

o Explain - say what you would do and why

o Justify your answer showing why you have made your choices.

o Support your answer with evidence from the extract (that you are given in the exam).

• 9 and 12 mark questions Think like a DIRECTOR

o Your answer must refer to the original context of the showexample, make sure that you explain WHY

o You will get marks for your knowledge of the play (particularly in relation to context) and also your understanding of how your chosen production element can be used.

o When you make a point, remember to give reasons that link your point directly to the extract.

• 14 mark question - Think like a DESIGNER

o Go into the exam with an idea of what you would do if you were to design the set, lighting, sound or costume for a production of the show, and then be ready to talk your idea through. You are being asked how your chosen design element would be used to enhance (boost) the production of the extract. You need to show your understanding of how that element adds to the overall performance.

SUBJECT TERMINOLOGY RELEVANT TO YOUR CHOSEN ELEMENT

Useful resources

An Inspector Calls - You Tube historical context

• The contexts of An Inspector Calls - The world of the play - GCSE Drama Revision - BBC Bitesize

• An Inspector Calls: Context And Background - YouTube

• An Inspector Calls Revision Song - YouTube

Live Theatre

• Read accompanying scripts

• Consider playwright and director's intentions

• Observe how performers utilise the toolkit of vocal and physical skills to create a believable character

• Look at how design elements support above

Live Theatre Bitesize

• Reviewing drama - Writing about and evaluating theatre - GCSE Drama Revision - BBC Bitesize

Head of department

Link to specification

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

English Language GCSE (8700)

Mrs B Clarke

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/specifications/AQA-8700-SP-2015.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

Information retrieval

Language analysis

Examples of language include e.g. similes/ metaphors/imagery/emotive language/imperatives/exaggeration/colloquial language/humour/verbs/adjectives/nouns/ pronouns

Structure analysis

Fiction - linear or non-linear, chronological ordering/flashbacks, changes in perspective or timeshifts

general description narrowing to specific focus

Evaluation

Evaluate a section of passage and present an opinion, methods

Writing: Descriptive and Creative

Logical ordering of ideas planning

Narrative viewpoint

Purpose and Audience

Use of adjectives, adverbs, sophisticated vocabulary Figurative language e.g. similes, metaphors

Structure and technical accuracy - revise: Paragraphing

Sentence forms (simple/compound/complex)

Information retrieval

Summative focus

Use details from both sources to write a summary of the presentation of the key topic/theme

Language-analysis

Examples of language include e.g. similes/ metaphors/imagery/emotive language/imperatives/exaggeration/colloquial language/humour/verbs/adjectives/nouns/ pronouns

Compare different attitudes presented from the two source materials via the different methods used to convey the attitudes

Writing: To present a viewpoint

Logical ordering of ideas planning

Purpose and Audience

Tone/Style/Formal/Informal register

How to inform/entertain

Persuasive techniques e.g.:

Listing

Use of rhetorical questions

Emotive language

Examples and anecdotes

Facts/statistics

Expert opinion

Commas, colons, semi-colons

Speech marks, apostrophes Brackets, ellipses

Flattery and additional techniques you have addressed in class

Forms of Writing: Letter, article, speech, essay, leaflet

What is the best way to revise English language?

• Have ready: exercise book/folder, copy of textbook/CGP resources, revision notebook/resources, pens, laptop.

• Make notes using your class notes/lesson materials on your laptop or Google Classroom/video clips. Do not just read and highlight your notes; your revision should be active taking notes e.g. creating flash cards (for specifics for each question), creating mind maps/planning grids (for planning descriptive/creative/article writing), memorise key technical terminology e.g. metaphor, simile, polysyndeton, non-linear, circular etc.

• Take a break with a change of environment (leave your desk).

• Test yourself with exam questions e.g. identify 5 points you would make in response to an exam question on each of the different types of question e.g. 8 mark language and 8 mark structure. You can use the generic paper 1 mark scheme to check your responses. Use Bitesize and English language CGP textbook (purple) to assist with additional key note making on the reading section. Practise planning and writing short descriptive/creative pieces e.g. of 2 paragraphs in order to prepare for the 40 mark writing task. Use pictures provided by your teacher, from the textbook or from a source of your choice.

Useful resources

Bitesize English language Revision: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zcbchv4

Teachit Revision: https://www.teachit.co.uk/resources/english/aqa-english-language-paper-1-tips

Mr Bruff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMhQIX9DCcQ

Mr Salles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UdrbGUY388 are useful resources

Head of department

Link to specification

ENGLISH LITERATURE

English Literature GCSE (8702)

Mrs B Clarke

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/specifications/AQA-8702-SP-2015.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

A Christmas Carol

You will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.

Key Ideas Specification Content

Character

Revise character notes on Scrooge, Marley, the 3 ghosts, nephew Fred, the Cratchits, Fezziwig.

Power and Conflict Poetry anthology

You will be required to write an essay comparing two poems on a given theme. One poem will be presented in the question.

Relationships poems:

Theme

Context

Structure/ Style

Language and Imagery

Revise key themes of: poverty, the family, children, outsiders, greed and selfishness, class and redemption.

Research political, economic, social Victorian era mid 1800s.

Research use of parallel syntax, for effect.

Revise notes on narrative adjectives, metaphors, pathetic fallacy, dialogue.

Authorial

viewpoint protest against class elitism, abuse of power, materialism at the

Unseen Poetry

In preparing for the unseen poetry section of the examination you should experience a wide range of poetry in order to develop your ability to closely analyse unseen poems. You should be able to analyse and

expense of the family, care for children and education.

Macbeth

You will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.

Key Ideas Specification Content

Character Revise character notes on Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, King Duncan, Macduff.

Theme Revise key themes of Kingship, loyalty, ambition, greed, guilt, supernatural, tragedy, violence, role of women.

Context Place of Shakespeare writing for King James. Research 17th century attitudes and significance of James I of England/VI of Scotland/Banquo and ancestors.

Structure/ Style

Language/

Imagery

Organisation of Acts, tension in Act 1, parallel structure in Act 2, rapid scene shifting between Macbeth and adversaries in Act 4, Act 5 end = rightful conclusion. Use of soliloquy.

Revise significance of blood, light/darkness, nature imagery, supernatural, violence.

Authorial Viewpoint Revise notes on viewpoint written to entertain/please the King/Moral outcome.

compare key features such as their content, theme, structure and use of language. Refer to the AQA unseen poetry anthology.

An Inspector Calls

Key Ideas Specification Content

Character Revise character notes on: The Inspector, Mr Birling, Mrs Birling, Sheila, Eric and Gerald.

Theme Revise key themes of : guilt and responsibility, the family, roles of men and women, social class, inequality.

Context

Research political, economic, historic contexts of the it was written (mid 1940s).

Structure/Style Revise play features e.g. stage directions, cliffhangers, Acts.

Language and Imagery

Authorial viewpoint

What is the best way to revise English literature?

Revise dialogue, emotive language, biblical imagery.

viewpoint e.g. Socialist ideals.

• Have ready: exercise book/folder, copy of An Inspector Calls /Poetry anthology/CGP resources, revision notebook/resources, pens, laptop.

• Make notes using your class notes/lesson materials on your laptop or Google Classroom/video clips. Do not just read and highlight your notes; your revision should be active taking notes e.g. creating flash cards (for key quotations), creating mind maps (on characters and themes), memorise key quotes using dual-coding and quotation drill worksheets.

• Take a break with a change of environment (leave your desk).

• Test yourself with exam questions e.g. identify 5 points you would make in response to an exam question, annotate key supporting quotations with the success criteria: clear point, key word to explore, authorial intention, effect on reader/audience, link to context.

Useful resources

Useful revision material: BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zfjc2sg, BBC Teach, Click revision (on YouTube)

Mr Bruff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMhQIX9DCcQ

Mr Salles:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UdrbGUY388 are useful resources

FOOD PREPARATION AND NUTRITION

Teacher in Charge

Link to specification

Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE (C560P1)

Mrs C Anderson

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/media/4zjdq104/eduqas-gcse-food-preparation-nutrition-spec-from-2016.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

1. Food Commodities

• Cereals

• Fruit and vegetables

• Milk, cheese and yoghurt

• Meat, poultry, fish and eggs

• Beans, nuts and seeds, soya, tofu and mycoprotein

2. Principles of Nutrition

• Macronutrients

• Micronutrients

• Water

• Dietary fibre

3. Diet and good health

• Energy requirements of individuals

• Plan balanced diets & dietary guidelines

• Calculate energy and nutritional values of recipes, meals and diets

4. The science of food

• The effect of cooking on food

• Food spoilage

5. Where food comes from

• Food provenance

• Food manufacturing

4. Cooking and food preparation

• Factors affecting food choice

• Preparation and cooking techniques

• Developing recipes and meals

What is the best way to revise food preparation and nutrition?

Pupils should:

• Be aware of the assessment objectives and the way the mark scheme works: work at one mark a minute

• Allocate your time to enable you to answer both section A and B

• Learn all key words and definitions, particularly the key science terminology

• Attempt all the questions on the paper

Extended answer questions: please read the question a couple of times and decide exactly what information the question requires; common command words used are:

• Describe - to give a written account of facts.

• Explain - describe the fact in detail and give reasons for the statement you have made.

• Evaluate - state the facts of a topic, making judgements about their worth, value or quality.

• Analyse - to examine, explain and interpret a topic in detail.

• Assess - to make a judgement or decide the importance of something.

• Discuss - to write about a topic in detail, including various aspects of the subject.

Useful Resources

Revision resource can be found:

https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/14-16-years/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zdn9jhv

https://www.stem.org.uk/gcse-food-preparation

https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/blog/gcse-food-preparation-nutrition-revision/

https://www.ifst.org/lovefoodlovescience

FRENCH

Head of department

Link to specification

French GCSE (8658H)

Mr S Woolnough

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/french/specifications/AQA-8658-SP-2016.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

All units

For French, you have covered eight topic areas that run through each of the four exam papers. They are covered by each module in the textbook, Studio. They are:

• Family (Module 1)

• Free time (Module 2)

• Festivals (Module 3)

• My town (Module 4)

• Holidays (Module 5)

• School, healthy living (Module 6)

• Work and future studies and work (Module 7)

• Environment, social issues (Module 8)

What is the best way to revise French?

Paper 1 Listening test

There are two things you can do to prepare for a listening comprehension test: Learn vocabulary, from French to English. Work on the vocabulary lists you have. There are good summaries of the vocabulary you need at the end of each module you have covered in the textbook. There are also good Quizlet pages to help you revise the vocabulary ask your teacher if you are not sure. Practice. You can do any of the listening exercises in the digital version of the textbook, on Pearson ActiveLearn. There are also exam-type questions at the end of each module, which you can do on ActiveLearn.

Paper 2 Speaking test

There is a ten minute preparation time before the exam, when you will have the photocard and the role play sheet. You can make notes during this time and take these notes with you into the exam.

The exam consists of three parts: a short role-play; a photocard; the general conversation. To prepare:

Learn the questions and answers that you have for the general conversation.

Use the practice photocards and role-plays that you have been given in lesson time to practise.

Paper 3 Reading test

Like the listening paper, the best preparation is vocabulary learning and practice. Use the same vocabulary lists as for the listening paper, again concentrating on recognising the meanings of the French words, rather than on being able to spell them.

Use the digital textbook to do reading exercises, from any of the modules.

Paper 4 Writing test

To prepare:

Work through the grammar sections at the end of the textbook, from page 206 onwards. These cover all the forms you need for GCSE. For example, on page 206 there are the endings for regular verbs in the present tense; on page 208 there are the four most common irregular verbs you need in the present tense.

Use the practice writing questions at the end of each module. For example, on page 26 there is a GCSE writing question on family and friends, with preparation material on page 27.

refers to the writing questions, but not the translation, on this paper.

Useful resources

• Google Classroom revision folder

• Past questions

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/french-8658/assessmentresources?f.Resource+type%7C6=Question+papers

• Quizlet, Blookit, Kahoot and Seneca are only useful for revising vocabulary and short questions

• BBC Bitesize - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z9dqxnb

• Key Vocabulary - https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/french-8658/subject-content/vocabulary

• Revision pages in your textbook - pages 180 - 195

Head of department

Link to specification

FURTHER MATHEMATICS

Further Mathematics Level 2 Award (8365)

Mrs L Honnor

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/mathematics/specifications/AQA-8365-SP-2018.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

All topics that have been taught

What is the best way to revise maths?

Find a quiet space, make sure you have a plan of what you want to complete and how long you are going to spend. Be

• Use your revision guide that you were given last year and annotate it as you go through topics

• Create flash cards to remember specific techniques you may use like solving simultaneous equations; or theorems to remember e.g. circle theorems

• Use past papers to work through exam questions. Use mark allocation as a guide to how long a question should take (about 1 minute per mark). Look at mark schemes to become aware of how marks are allocated and how you may have gained some marks you missed by at least beginning a question. Use a highlighter to highlight key information in a question

• Make a list of common/careless mistakes you have made in the past in order to avoid making them again

Useful resources

Use websites for revision of specific questions and to watch video solutions. Try some of the following websites: Exam Solutions - For videos and past paper questions and solutions by topic https://www.examsolutions.net/gcse-maths/

Corbett maths - has a 5 -a-day which gives a random 5 questions each day and is tailored to the different tiers of entry. It also has worked solutions for each question: https://corbettmaths.com/5-a-day/gcse/

Dr Frost maths - For a range of questions and essential skills practice: https://www.drfrostmaths.com/

Remember to bring a black pen, pencil, rubber, ruler, circular protractor and a pair of compasses to all papers. You will need a calculator for the second exam.

Head of department

Link to specification

GEOGRAPHY

Geography GCSE (8035)

Mr A Pinks

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/geography/specifications/AQA-8035-SP-2016.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

A The challenge of natural hazards:

• Tectonic hazards

• Weather hazards

• Climate change

B The living world:

• Ecosystems

• Tropical rainforests

• Hot deserts

C Physical landscapes in the UK:

• Diverse landscapes in the UK

• Coastal landscapes

• River landscapes

A Urban issues and challenges:

• The global pattern of urban change

• Urban change in city in LIC or NEE (Lagos)

• Urban change in a city in the UK (London)

• Urban sustainability

B The changing economic world:

• Classification of the world according to levels of economic development and quality of life

• Strategies used to reduce the development gap (including tourism case study)

• Economic change in a LIC or NEE country (Nigeria)

• Economic futures in the UK

C The challenge of resource management:

• Resource management

• Food

A Issue Evaluation

A pre-release booklet with an issue in it will be given to you at the end of the Easter term. You will have to answer questions on it using your wider geographical knowledge.

B Fieldwork

You will get generic fieldwork questions. You will not be asked about what you did in your fieldwork.

C Geographical skills

• Cartographical

• Graphical

• Numerical

• Statistical

• Use of quantitative and qualitative data

What is the best way to revise geography?

Geography is a content-heavy subject so there is lots of information to learn. It is better to break revision down into hour-long chunks. Aim to follow the same routine for each revision session:

• Have ready: exercise book, text book, revision notebook, pens, laptop

• Make notes using your class notes/text book/lesson materials on your laptop or Google Classroom/video clips. Do not just read and highlight your notes; you should be actively taking notes e.g. in a notebook (for geographical theory), flash cards (for case study summaries), mind maps (for topic overviews)

• Take a break with a change of environment (leave your desk)

• Test yourself with exam questions. You do not need to do them in exam conditions and use the mark schemes to correct your answers once you have finished. Choose questions that require you to apply your knowledge e.g.

o 6 markers: the ones that ask you to use figure X and your own knowledge. For these you need to refer to the information in the figure and link this to your own geographical knowledge. These questions have command words such as:

▪ Suggest why

▪ Explain how

▪ Discuss

o 9 markers: the ones that ask you to provide an evaluation. Remember to PEEL (point, evidence, explain link). You will need to give both sides of an argument and highlight your points with case study detail. Aim to include a concluding sentence at the end. These questions have command words such as:

▪ Do you agree

▪ Evaluate

▪ To what extent

Useful resources

• Lesson ppts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HB0gLfVWgZgsvggmmVrosiHbD5FG1cpp?usp=sharing

• Past questions: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035/assessment-resources

• Quizlet, Blookit, Kahoot and Seneca are only useful for revising short answer questions.

GERMAN

Head of department

Link to specification

German GCSE (8668H)

Mr S Woolnough

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/german/specifications/AQA-8668-SP-2016.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

All units

For German, you have covered eight topic areas that run through each of the four exam papers. They are covered by each module in the textbook, Stimmt. They are:

• School (Module 1)

• Free time (Module 2)

• Friends and family (Module 3)

• Healthy living (Module 4)

• Visiting a town (Module 5)

• Holidays (Module 6)

• Work (Module 7)

• Environment (Module 8)

What is the best way to revise German?

Paper 1 Listening test

There are two things you can do to prepare for a listening comprehension test:

• Learn vocabulary, from German to English. Work on the vocabulary lists you have. There are good summaries of the vocabulary you need at the end of each module you have covered in the textbook. There are also good Quizlet pages to help you revise the vocabulary ask your teacher if you are not sure.

• Practice. You can do any of the listening exercises in the digital version of the textbook, on Pearson ActiveLearn. There are also exam-type questions at the end of each module, which you can do on ActiveLearn.

Paper 2 Speaking test

There is a ten-minute preparation time before the exam, when you will have the photocard and the role play sheet. You can make notes during this time and take these notes with you into the exam.

The exam consists of three parts: a short role-play; a photocard; the general conversation.

To prepare:

• Learn the questions and answers that you have for the general conversation.

• Use the practice photocards and role-plays that you have been given in lesson time to practise.

Paper 3 Reading test

Like the listening paper, the best preparation is vocabulary learning and practice. Use the same vocabulary lists as for the listening paper, again concentrating on recognising the meanings of the German words, rather than on being able to spell them.

Use the digital textbook to do reading exercises, from any of the modules 1 to 8.

Paper 4 Writing test

To prepare:

• Work through the grammar sections at the end of the textbook, from page 208 onwards. These cover all the forms you need for GCSE. For example, on page 208 there are the endings for regular verbs in the present tense; on page 210 there are the important modal verbs.

• Use the practice writing questions at the end of each module. For example, on page 24 there is a GCSE writing question on holidays, with preparation material on page 25.

• Read the translation, on this paper.

Head of Department

Link to specification

HISTORY

History GCSE (J410)

Mr P Jeffrey

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/207163-specification-accredited-gcse-history-a-first-teaching-2019-with-firstassessment-2021-j410.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

• Conflict and co-operation 19181939

• The Cold War 1945 1975

• Changing interpretations of Appeasement

• Changing interpretations for Cold War tensions

• The rise and consolidation of the Nazi regime 1925-1934

• Nazi Germany and its people 19331939

• War and its legacy 1939-1955

• Reasons for migration

• Experiences and actions of immigrants

• Responses to immigration

• The impact on immigration

the wider world

Range of time periods

• c.1000-1500

• c. 1500-1900

• 1900-c.2010

What is the best way to revise history?

• English expansion and its impact on the British Isles c1688-c1730

• Economic impact of empire on Britain 1688-c1730

• Political and social impact of empire on Britain 1688-c1730

• Case Study on Spittalfields

History is a content-heavy subject and it can feel overwhelming learning all of the topics. It can be useful to focus on making links between causes and consequences of events to help you remember the order in which things happen.

Shorter, knowledge-based questions

• Make a set of flash cards to help you remember specific dates in Nazi Germany.

• Record yourself reading out your notes, or a good answer. Listen to the recording as often as possible and/or when doing something simple e.g. walking, washing dishes.

Longer, essay style questions

• Using mind maps will help you visualise your history notes. Make links between events and people so you can anchor your knowledge.

• Use colour codes to identify different place, people or periods. Paper 2 is a breadth study; colour code the same group of people throughout the different time periods.

• Create living timelines. Include dates, but also if things are good or bad for society or the people in power depending on the topic.

Vary your revision techniques and do not stick to just one thing. Cramming does not work in history. Make sure you take short but frequent breaks during your revision sessions.

Teacher in Charge

Link to specification

Latin GCSE (C990PA)

Mr L Gardiner

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/media/rtxlja0x/eduqas-gcse-latin-spec-from-2016-e-11-05-2022.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 1

• All words on the prescribed GCSE vocab list

• All noun cases their uses and their endings

• All verb tenses how they are translated and their endings

• relative clauses

• prepositions with the accusative and ablative

• personal pronouns

• the subjunctive

• irregular verbs: volo, nolo, possum

• infinitive and imperative verbs

• present and perfect participles

• the passive mood of verbs

• Section B translating English into Latin

Component 2

All texts in the Love and Marriage theme we have studied:

• Anon: Epitaph to Claudia

• Cicero: A family matter

• Catullus: Poems 5, 8, 70 and 85

• Horace: Finished with love

• Martial: The power of love

• Martial: An enigma

• Ovid: Advice to a rejected lover

• Pliny: To Calpurnia Hispulla, his wife's aunt

• Pliny: Faithful unto death

• Seneca: Changing morals

The six source pictures in the collection on our theme. The literary devices used by the authors.

What is the best way to revise Latin?

Component 3

of Perseus:

• Background to Ovid and his work Metamorphoses

• Comprehension of the Latin text and the literary devices used by Ovid in his retelling of this myth

• Be prepared to answer stylistic questions and questions on the whole passage and theme

Find a quiet space, make sure you have a plan of what you want to complete and how long you are going to spend. Be

Component 1 Latin Language: learning your vocabulary from the prescribed GCSE vocab list is fundamental to success.

(https://www.exams.cambridgescp.com/sites/www.cambridgescp.com/files/eduqas_defined_vocabulary_list_for_com ponent_1_section_a_0.pdf). Little and often is the best strategy to learn vocabulary, I would aim at 10 minutes a day, working through the words you are least familiar with.

You can also use the interactive vocabulary tester from Eduqas, (https://www.exams.cambridgescp.com/files/cscp/wjec18vocab/index.html), create flashcards or Quizlets, use the strategies which we have discussed in class.

Practise your translation technique and the common constructions which come up using the practice papers which I have given you in class. Read back over the grammar notes we have taken in class. For the subjunctive, look over the presentations on Google Classroom for each form.

Component 2: Love and Marriage: w

have the notes and commentary. You will need to revise them all, as a random selection of pictures and texts will appear on the exam paper. Read through and revise the texts in English first, then in the Latin. If you are missing notes, study the presentations for each text found on Google Classroom, or through the link on the Eduqas pagehttps://www.exams.cambridgescp.com/Array/eduqas-component-2-love-and-marriage-2024-2026

Component 3: Latin Literature (Narratives) Verse Option: Ovid - The Adventures of Perseus: work through the know the whole narrative in both Latin and English and the theme that runs through it. If you are missing notes, study the presentations for each section found on Google Classroom or the complete notes and commentary found on the Eduqas page - https://www.exams.cambridgescp.com/Array/eduqas-component-3a-adventures-perseus-2024-2025

Useful resources

• Check your Google Classroom folder for notes, interactive text explorers, online vocabulary quizzes, revision games and exercises and links to useful youtube videos.

• Eduqas Latin GCSE homepage: https://www.exams.cambridgescp.com/Array/eduqas-gcse-latin-9-1

Head of department

Link to specification

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics GCSE (8300H/F)

Mrs L Honnor

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/mathematics/specifications/AQA-8300-SP-2015.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

All topics that have been taught.

What is the best way to revise maths?

Find a quiet space, make sure you have a plan of what you want to complete and how long you are going to spend. Be notes! Practice, practice, practice!

• Use your revision guide that you were given last year and annotate it as you go through topics.

• Create flash cards to remember specific techniques you may use like solving simultaneous equations; or theorems to remember e.g. circle theorems.

• Use past papers to work through exam questions. Use mark allocation as a guide to how long a question should take (about 1 minute per mark). Look at mark schemes to become aware of how marks are allocated and how you may have gained some marks you missed by at least beginning a question. Use a highlighter to highlight key information in a question.

• Make a list of common/careless mistakes you have made in the past in order to avoid making them again.

Useful resources

Use websites for revision of specific questions and to watch video solutions. Try some of the following websites: Exam Solutions - For videos and past paper questions and solutions by topic: https://www.examsolutions.net/gcse-maths/

Corbett maths - has a 5 -a-day which gives a random 5 questions each day and is tailored to the different tiers of entry. It also has worked solutions for each question: https://corbettmaths.com/5-a-day/gcse/

Dr Frost maths - For a range of questions and essential skills practice: https://www.drfrostmaths.com/

Remember to bring a black pen, pencil, rubber, ruler, circular protractor and a pair of compasses to all papers. You will need a calculator for the second and third exams.

Teacher in Charge

Link to specification

MEDIA STUDIES

Media Studies GCSE (J200)

Ms E Ashton

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/316659-specification-accredited-gcse-media-studies-j200.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

The unseen text will be on Avengers or Cuffs. For both The Avengers, Cuffs and Lego, revise media language (camerawork, sound, editing, mise-en-scène; layout & representation); genre conventions; social/cultural/historical contexts and audience theory.

• Cuffs and The Avengers

• The Lego Movie poster campaign and UK TV trailer

• The Lego Movie ad break

• The Lego Movie video game

For all these topics, revise media language & representations; social/cultural/political/historical contexts; audience theory

• MOJO Magazine & contrasting music magazines

• Beyonce and Bruno Mars

• The Live Lounge, BBC Radio 1

• One complete contemporary print and online edition of The Observer

• The Observer 30 October 1966

• The Observer 6 November 1966

• The Observer 20 October 1968

What is the best way to revise media studies?

Media is a visual subject with the emphasis on both media language (layout, camerawork, editing etc.) and media representation (who, why, values and messages, social/cultural/political/historical contexts). You need the visual prompts in front of you (TV drama, Lego posters, newspapers, MOJO, music videos). You need to watch/listen to the music videos and Radio 1 Live Lounge.

•

• For each session, pick one topic and look again carefully at the original text (like Cuffs, The Avengers, the music videos, MOJO, the Lego TV ad break, The Observer newspaper print and online etc.). Look out for genre features, audience gratifications, its historical and social context, how people and ideas are represented.

• Take a break with a change of environment (leave your desk).

• Test yourself with the exam questions in your OCR media text book. Check the answers in the back of the book as you go. Make sure that you notice the difference between questions asking you to analyse media language and those asking you to comment on media representations

• Higher mark questions will ask for comparisons between social, historical and political contexts in different texts. They ask you to draw conclusions in a separate bullet point apply the uses and gratifications theory: audiences use media to gratify needs.

• Questions on social, historical and political contexts mean knowing both about the industry itself and about how different audiences expect different things from programmes, depending on the time period in which they were made.

Head of department (acting)

Link to specification

MUSIC

Music GCSE (1MU0)

Mr A Hitchcock

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Music/2016/specification/Pearson_Edexcel_GCSE_9_to_1_in _Music_Specification_issue4.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Unit 3

• Bach Brandenburg 5 last movement

• Beethoven Pathetique Sonata 1st. Movement

• John Williams Star Wars Rebel blockade runner

• Schwartz-Wicked-Defying gravity - For Section B

• Esperanza Spalding-Samba Em Preludio

• Afro Celt fusion

• Purcell - Music for a while

• Queen - Killer Queen

What is the best way to revise music?

• Music appraising requires a strong knowledge of your set pieces from each area of study. It is best to break revision into hour long chunks and focus on one area of study at a time.

• Have ready: text book, scores, recordings, revision notepad, pens, laptop.

• Make notes and list which musical elements are evident in the music you are listening to. Create a glossary of

• Take a break with a change of environment and maybe listen to music totally unrelated to your GCSE.

• Using the exemplar questions by Renrec in Google Classroom, test yourself on specific areas of study, making note which the weakest are. Choose questions that require you to apply your knowledge. Work on the longer essay type questions comparing a set work with an unfamiliar one. Look for similarities and also differences, and create columns listing these.

• Use the Simon Rushby book with past papers, exemplar questions, recordings to practise exam style questions.

Useful resources

• Check your Google Classroom Folder: https://classroom.google.com/c/MTk1ODQ3MzU0NTM4

• Use BBC Bitesize as a revision resource: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z6chkmn

Teacher in Charge

Link to specification

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education GCSE (J587)

Miss G Harfitt

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/234822-specification-accredited-gcse-physical-education-j587.pdf

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

• Applied anatomy and physiology

• Physical training

What is the best way to revise PE?

• Socio-cultural influences

• Sports psychology

• Health fitness and wellbeing

PE has a lot of content and under each of these sub-headings there can be as many as 21 topics, e.g. applied anatomy then take a break.

• Have ready: exercise book, text book, revision notes, pens, laptops.

• Make notes: using your class notes/ textbooks/ Everlearner/ Google classroom/ Memrise.

• Do not just highlight your notes; you should be actively taking notes e.g. in a notebook and making sure you make flashcards for your keyword glossary list, mind maps for topic overviews.

• Take a break with a change of environment, drink lots of water.

• Test yourselves with exam questions. You do not need to do all of them in exam conditions but make sure you use the answers to correct your answers once you have finished.

• Relate everything you learn to your own experience to include sporting examples.

• Use different stimuli to help you revise. For example print a picture of Mo Farrah and annotate it in a spider diagram looking at training methods, diet, key influences, goal setting, etc.

6 markers: They always have a pencil image next to them: These questions have command words such as:

• Suggest why

• Explain how

• Discuss

Remember use the structure:

AO1 Knowledge and understanding

AO2 Sporting examples

AO3 Explain further

Helpful resources:

• https://theeverlearner.com/

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/pe/

• http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/pe

• https://app.memrise.com/aprender/learn?course_id=1965320?recommendation_id=35800656-66c0-4a88-aeb38022088e5279

• Past questions: OCR: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/physical-education-j587-from2016/assessment/

• Past exam questions and papers on google classroom

Head of department

Link to specification

PHYSICS (Separate Science)

Physics GCSE (8463H)

Miss A Jackson

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/physics/specifications/AQA-8463-SP-2016.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

• Energy

• Electricity

• Particle model of matter

• Atomic Structure

• Forces

• Waves

• Magnetism and electromagnetism

• Space Physics

What is the best way to revise physics?

Physics is a technique-heavy, knowledge-application-based subject so you need to develop strong skills at solving physics puzzles and thinking in logical ways. Revision should mainly take the form of practising exam style questions (with some self-testing of the key equations which you will need to commit to memory). Limit your revision activities to blocks of 30 minutes at a time if possible. Useful revision techniques are listed below with most effective at the top of the list.

Everything you need to know for your GCSE Physics revision can be found at this Google Drive link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R01Ky8hQQSpgMZfcFMAo0RJ-6435sVC0?usp=share_link

1. Watching revision videos

In section 2 of the revision guide linked below there are some excellent YouTube playlists which cover all topics to be examined in your final physics exams. These videos are short, very clear, and excellent for revising core subject knowledge. Pay particular attention to the Working Scientifically playlist.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18BJfpC6ngkDLhPAQEEL-JS7_ZdAN0XoutCI81HWcqZo/edit

2. Practising exam style questions

Pick a topic that you find difficult. Print out and complete some practice questions from that topic. There are mark schemes to mark your answers

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ckfvuu0FaSIltz0JWpfbzndZ-RRhPXTK?usp=sharing

or videos from section 3 below to revisit the theory on that topic and re-attempt the question. If you are still struggling, bring the question along to physics clinic and get some help from your teacher. There are also lots of practice questions in your CGP book if you run out of questions in the folders linked above.

(https://www.cognitoresources.org)

Questions are listed by topic, and mark schemes are also included.

3. Flash cards and self-testing of key equations

In the Google Drive folder linked at the top of this section you will find a list of key equations plus a list of equation triangles. Although you will be given a formula sheet in your 2024 exams, you will still need to make a big effort to practise using and rearranging the equations on the first two pages of this. It is recommended that you make flash cards of the key formulae and use these to test yourself with rearranging and recalling tions and key knowledge:

https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/d67bb0b0-3811-11e8-a24c-b3fb45e9678a/section/dbf424503811-11e8-a24c-b3fb45e9678a/session

Head of department

Link to specification

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Religious Studies GCSE (8062A)

Mrs E Robinson

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/rs/specifications/AQA-8062-SP-2016.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 1 (2 papers)

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings

• The nature of God

• The Trinity

• Christian response to evil and suffering

• Creation

•

• Life after death

Islam: Beliefs and Teachings

• Tawhid

• Angels

• Life after death

• Holy books

• Prophets

• Predestination

Christian Practices

• Worship and festivals

• The role of the church in the local and worldwide community

Muslim Practices

• Worship (Shahadah and Salah)

• Duties (Sawm, Zakah, Hajj, Jihad) and festivals

Component 2

Existence of God and Revelation

• The nature of God

• Special revelations (visions and enlightenment)

• General revelations (nature and scripture)

• The value of revelation

Peace and Conflict

• Violent protest and terrorism

• Reasons for war

• Nuclear war and weapons of mass destruction

• Just War, Holy War

• Pacificism

Religion & Life

• The origins of human life and the universe

• The use and abuse of the environment

• The use and abuse of animals

• Abortion

• Euthanasia

• Life after death

Crime & Punishment

• Reasons for crime

• Christian attitudes towards lawbreakers and different types of crime

• Aims of punishment

• Cristian attitude to suffering and causing suffering to others

• Christian attitude towards the treatment of criminals

• Prison, corporal punishment and community service

• Christian attitudes to forgiveness

• Christian attitudes towards the death penalty

What is the best way to revise RS?

• Have ready: exercise book, text book, revision notebook, pens, laptop.

• Make notes using your class notes/text book/lesson materials on your laptop or Google Classroom/video clips. Do not just read and highlight your notes; you should be actively taking notes e.g. in a notebook (for key information), flash cards (to memorise key words and quotes), mind maps (for topic overviews).

• Take a break with a change of environment (leave your desk).

• Test yourself with exam questions. You do not need to do them in exam conditions and use the mark schemes to correct your answers once you have finished. Choose questions that require you to apply your knowledge e.g.

o 5 markers: the ones that ask you to give two reasons/examples of a key concept. For these you need to include a quote/evidence. These questions will always ask you to explain something.

o 12 markers: the ones that ask you to provide an evaluation. Remember to use the TRADE C structure. You will need to give both sides of an argument and highlight your points with reference to religious quotes and examples we have studied in lessons. Aim to include a developed conclusion giving a personal judgement. Aim to include some of the following connectives: nevertheless, furthermore, consequently, in addition to, moreover, however.

Useful resources

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062/assessment-resources

SPANISH

Head of department

Link to specification

Spanish GCSE (8698)

Mr S Woolnough

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/spanish/specifications/AQA-8698-SP-2016.PDF

GCSE exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

All Units

For Spanish, you have covered eight topic areas that run through each of the four exam papers. They are covered by each module in the textbook, Viva. They are:

• Holidays (Module 1)

• School (Module 2)

• Free time (Module 3 and 4)

• My town (Module 5)

• Festivals (Module 6)

• Work (Module 7)

• Environment and social problems (Module 8)

What is the best way to revise Spanish?

Paper 1 Listening test

There are two things you can do to prepare for a listening comprehension test:

● Learn vocabulary, from Spanish to English. Work on the vocabulary lists you have. There are good summaries of the vocabulary you need at the end of each module you have covered in the textbook. There are also good Quizlet pages to help you revise the vocabulary ask your teacher if you are not sure.

● Practice. You can do any of the listening exercises in the digital version of the textbook, on Pearson ActiveLearn. There are also exam-type questions at the end of each module, which you can do on ActiveLearn.

Paper 2 Speaking test

There is a ten-minute preparation time before the exam, when you will have the photocard and the role play sheet. You can make notes during this time and take these notes with you into the exam.

The exam consists of three parts: a short role-play; a photocard; the general conversation.

To prepare:

• Learn the questions and answers that you have for the general conversation.

• Use the practice photocards and role-plays that you have been given in lesson time to practise.

Paper 3 Reading test

Like the listening paper, the best preparation is vocabulary learning and practice. Use the same vocabulary lists as for the listening paper, again concentrating on recognising the meanings of the Spanish words, rather than on being able to spell them.

Use the digital textbook to do reading exercises, from any of the modules 1 to 6.

Paper 4 Writing test

To prepare:

• Work through the grammar sections at the end of the textbook, from page 208 onwards. These cover all the forms you need for GCSE. For example, on page 208 there are the endings for regular verbs in the present tense; on page 210 there are the four most common irregular verbs you need in the present tense.

• Use the practice writing questions at the end of each module. For example, on page 24 there is a GCSE writing question on holidays, with preparation material on page 25.

• translation, on this paper.