Year 13 A Level Prep Materials

YEAR 13 A LEVEL

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.

• 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 and 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.

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 12 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 A level (9FA0)

Mrs L Williams

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/Art%20and%20Design/2015/specification-and-sampleassessment-materials/GCE-A-level-Art-and-Design-specification-Issue-4.pdf

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 1 (Coursework)

This consists of your two coursework projects, two final pieces and 3000 word personal study. Any improvements to coursework must be made by the end of the spring term. You will have submitted two sketchbooks and media tests to support your outcomes.

Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment)

You will need to develop a personal investigation into a chosen theme in response to the exam paper and document your preparation work in a sketchbook as well as create experiments outside of your book. In the 15-hour exam that you will sit across three days, you will be expected to produce a final outcome in response to your chosen area of focus. You will plan your final outcome in advance of these dates.

Dates for your exam are Tuesday 7 Thursday 9 May 2024

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

For your exam, make sure your final outcome showcases your strengths in terms of your selection of media. Your composition should be carefully planned and you should use the research you have carried out in your sketchbook to inform your final piece. Remember that your final outcome is worth 25% of your overall mark so be experimental, take risks, but also enjoy the process and refine the outcome to the best of your ability.

The best way to prepare is to PRACTISE, TEST and REFINE your use of media. Familiarise yourself with the assessment objectives and check that you are meeting the criteria for the grade you are aiming to attain overall.

Teacher in charge

ART AND DESIGN: PHOTOGRAPHY

Art and Design: Photography A level (9PY0)

Mrs H Bradshaw

Link to specification

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/Art%20and%20Design/2015/specification-and-sampleassessment-materials/GCE-A-level-Art-and-Design-specification-Issue-4.pdf

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 1 (Coursework)

This consists of your coursework project sketchbooks, two final pieces and 3000-word personal study. Any improvements to coursework must be made by the end of the spring term. You will have submitted sketchbooks to support your outcomes.

Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment)

You will need to develop a personal investigation into a chosen theme in response to the exam paper and document your preparation work in a sketchbook as well as create experiments outside of your book. In the 15-hour exam that you will sit across three days, you will be expected to produce a final outcome in response to your chosen area of focus. You will plan your final outcome in advance of these dates.

Dates for your exam are Wednesday 8 Friday 10 May 2024.

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

• For your exam, make sure your final outcome showcases your strengths in terms of the processes you choose to use.

• Your photo shoot(s) for your final piece should be carefully planned and can be taken in advance of the exam, you should use the research you have carried out in your sketchbook to inform your final outcome(s).

• Remember that your final outcome(s) are worth 25% of your overall mark so be experimental, take risks, but also enjoy the process and refine to the best of your ability.

• The best way to prepare is to PRACTISE, TEST and REFINE the processes you choose to use for your photographic work.

• Familiarise yourself with the assessment objectives and check that you are meeting the criteria for the grade you are aiming to attain overall.

• Fill in the exam planning sheet provided on the Google Classroom and check that all necessary materials are prepared in advance.

• Bring all your sketchbooks to the exam, these will be submitted for marking along with the final outcome that you produce during the exam.

Teacher in charge

ART AND DESIGN: TEXTILE DESIGN

Art and Design: Textile Design A level (7204)

Ms M Ritchie

Link to specification

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/art-and-design/specifications/AQA-ART-A-LEVEL-SP-2015.PDF

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 1

This consists of your two coursework projects, two final pieces and 3000word personal study. Any improvements to coursework must be made by the end of the spring term. You will have submitted two sketchbooks and mood boards to support your outcomes.

Component 2

You will need to develop an exam unit into a chosen theme in response to the exam paper and document your preparation work in a sketchbook as well as create experiments outside of your book. In the 15-hour exam that you will sit across three days, you will be expected to produce a final outcome in response to your chosen area of focus. You will plan your final outcome in advance of these dates.

Dates for your exam are Monday 13, Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15May in Textiles.

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

• For your exam, make sure your final outcome showcases your strengths in terms of your selection of media. Your composition should be carefully planned, and you should use the research you have carried out in your sketchbook to inform your final piece. Remember that your final outcome is worth 25% of your overall mark so be experimental, take risks, but also enjoy the process and refine the outcome to the best of your ability.

• The best way to prepare is to PRACTISE, TEST and REFINE your use of media. Familiarise yourself with the assessment objectives and check that you are meeting the criteria for the grade you are aiming to attain overall.

BIOLOGY

Head of department

Link to specification

Biology A level (A400QS)

Mr A Boothe

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/media/ezzdb40f/eduqas-a-level-biology-spec-from-2015-e.pdf

A level exam content - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 1

1.1 Importance of ATP

1.2 Photosynthesis uses light energy to synthesise organic molecules

1.3 Respiration releases chemical energy in biological processes

1.4 Microbiology

1.5 Population size and ecosystems (including specified practical work)

1.6 Human impact on the environment

2.1 All organisms are related through their evolutionary history

2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells

2.3 Sexual reproduction in humans

2.4 Sexual reproduction in plants (including specified practical work)

2.5 Inheritance

2.6 Variation and evolution

2.7 Application of reproduction and genetics

3.1a Adaptations for gas exchange in plants

3.1b Adaptations for gas exchange in animals

3.2 Adaptations for transport in animals

3.3 Adaptations for nutrition

3.4 Homeostasis and the kidney (including specified practical work)

3.5 The nervous system (including specified practical work)

Option choice of one from options A-C:

C Neurobiology and Behaviour

+ Core Concepts (biological molecules, cell structure, cell membranes, enzymes, nucleic acids)

What is the best way to revise biology?

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

• Download the specification and print it if you can. There are print friendly versions on the Google Classroom.

• Make notes, mind maps or flash cards from the specification using your textbook or revision guide (work section by section).

• Complete past paper questions (topic by topic) from the QDB which can also 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://classroom.google.com/c/MTUzNzE2NzEzNDAw/m/MTU4OTEyODM0ODM4/details

• Past papers: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/biology-as-a-level/#tab_pastpapers

• Eduqas past papers:

• Cognito:

• https://www.cognitoresources.org/

• PM Tutor:

• https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/

Head of department

Link to specification:

Business A level (9BS0)

Mr N Rocca

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/business-2015.html

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

You need to have an excellent awareness of all the elements of the specification but you will be asked specific questions about the following subject areas in the summer exams:

All subject matter from Papers 1 & 2 needs to be revised for Paper 3.

The theme this is year is the global fashion industry

What is the best way to revise business?

• To ensure that your knowledge base is secure you should use your notes, PPTs and Course Companions for each theme

• You should be completing the workbooks

• You could create flash cards - for example with the key term on one side and the answer on the other side. You could also write a method of growth then write the advantages and disadvantages on the other side.

You could make a mind map for each topic e.g. 3.1 Business Objectives and Strategy. It is important that you test yourself and make revision an active process.

Practise exam style questionsand 20-mark questions.

Complete the exam style questions in the workbooks for Theme 1 and 4 and Theme 2 and 3. Remember to follow a PEEEL structure for each paragraph.

• Point

• Explain

• Evidence

• Evaluation/However

• Link back to the question

Also attempt past papers - these can be found on Google Classroom. Also, revisit past papers attempted last year to see how the answers could be improved. In addition, read mark schemes and examiner reports on past papers you have completed.

Head of department

Link to specification

CHEMISTRY

Chemistry A level (H432)

Mrs R Michael

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/171720-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-chemistry-a-h432.pdf

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Module 1

Development of practical skills in chemistry

Module 2

Foundation in chemistry

Module 3

Periodic Table and energy

Module 4

Core organic chemistry

Module 5

Physical chemistry and transition elements

Practical skills assessed in written exams

Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Atoms, compounds, molecules, and equations

Amount of substance

Acid-base and redox reactions

Electrons, bonding and structure

The Periodic Table and periodicity

Group 2 and the halogens

Qualitative analysis

Enrhalpy changes

Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative)

Basic concepts

Hydrocarbons

Alcohols and haloalkanes

Organic synthesis

Analytical techniques (IR and MS)

Reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative)

pH and buffers

Enthalpy, entropy and free energy

Redox and redox potentials

Transition elements

Module 6

Aromatic compounds

Organic chemistry and analysis

Carbonyl compounds

Carboxylic acids and esters

Nitrogen compounds

Polymers

Organic synthesis

Chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR)

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 the revision strategies that suit your type of learning. Remember that revision is an active process that must be done regularly to retain knowledge.

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. You should also use your Revise OCR AS/A Level Chemistry Revision Guide as a reference resource.

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 you 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://ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/chemistry-a-h032-h432-from-2015/assessment/ You should also use your Revise OCR AS/A Level Chemistry Revision Workbook to check that you have consolidated the key ideas.

An hour revision period should include spending 25 minutes actively condensing your notes and retrieving information, followed by a 5-minute break. Then spend 30 minutes practising past paper questions and reviewing your answers.

Teacher in Charge

Link to specification

CLASSICAL CIVILISATION

Classical Civilisation A level (H408)

Mr L Gardiner

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/315133-specification-accredited-a-level-classical-civilisation-h408.pdf

A level exam content - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 01

The Odyssey: Prescribed

Books 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23

i. Literary techniques and composition

ii. The heroic world: characterisation and themes

iii. The social, cultural and religious context

The Aeneid: Prescribed

Books 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

i. Literary techniques and composition

ii. The heroic world: characterisation and themes

iii. The social, cultural and religious context

iv. Historical and political background

Component 02

Euripides - Bacchae

Sophocles -Oedipus Rex Aristophanes -Frogs

i. Prescribed Visual/Material Sources

ii. Drama and the theatre in ancient Athenian society

iii. Nature of tragedy

iv. Nature of (old) comedy

v. Literary techniques, structure, and dramatic conventions

vi. Social, political and religious themes in tragedy and comedy

Component 03

Plato:

•

• influenced his ideas

• how these ideas might have been received by his contemporary audience

Seneca:

•

• the influence of Stoicism on the ideas of Seneca

• influenced his ideas

• how these ideas might have been received by his contemporary audience

Saphho Love poetry

Ovid Ars Amatoria III genre of the work

use of themes and motifs

What is the best way to revise Classical Civilisation?

1. Read back over the prescribed books and texts, relevant class notes and study guides.

2. You need to be able recall the plot of all our texts. Therefore, writing your own for each book of the Odyssey and Aeneid is advised.

3. Make thematic mind maps with key quotations e.g. women in the Odyssey, divine intervention in the Aeneid, satire in Frogs, prophecy in Oedipus. https://www.popplet.com/ Popplet is a good virtual mind mapping tool.

4. Create, add to and memorise a glossary for each module. Course glossaries are found at the back of each textbook.

5. Read back over past essays.

6. Plan responses to exam style 20- and 30-mark questions: links are on Google Classroom.

7. Make banks of secondary sources that can be used for 30 marker essays and group these thematically before committing them to memory. Links to secondary sources are on Google Classroom.

Teacher in Charge

Link to specification

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer Science A level (H446)

Mrs A Taylor

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/170844-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-computer-science-h446.pdf

A level exam content - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 01 Paper 02

1.1.1 Structure and function of the processor

1.1.2 Types of processor

1.1.3 Input, output and storage

1.2.1 Operating systems

1.2.2 Applications generation

1.2.3 Types of programming language

1.3.1 Compression, encryption and hashing

1.3.2 Databases

1.3.3 Networks

1.3.4 Web technologies

1.4.1 Data types

1.4.2 Data structures

1.4.3 Boolean algebra

1.5.1 Computing related legislation

1.5.2 Ethical moral and cultural issues

2.1.1 Thinking abstractly

2.1.2 Thinking ahead

2.1.3 Thinking procedurally

2.1.4 Thinking logically

2.1.5 Thinking concurrently

2.2.1 Programming techniques

2.2.2 Software development

2.2.3 Computational methods

2.3.1 Algorithms

What is the best way to revise computer science?

Both computer science papers are marked out of 140 and carry an equal weighting.

Paper 01 covers the theory components and comprises mainly short-answer questions. It is important to use the mark scheme and make sure that you demonstrate your knowledge (AO1), apply your knowledge to the scenario given in the evaluate extended answer questions (there are usually three).

Paper 02 comprises two sections: section A will contain some short-answer questions covering writing algorithms and computational methods, programming techniques and problem-solving. Section B will have a scenario set at the start of the section which will contain the information that will be used in the questions that follow. Completing past papers

is the best form of revision for section B. You can use Python or OCR pseudocode to answer the programming questions. You will not be penalised if you cannot remember the exact syntax; however, you should be as accurate as you can.

• Have ready: revision checklist (there will be one or two topics you have not covered yet), 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:

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 test yourself using questions from past papers.

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

• Test yourself using past papers 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 (for the H446 specification).

• In programming questions, use text given in the question to comment your code and attempt one at a time. This will help you to break-down the problems into manageable chunks.

• In longer questions remember to: say what you know; apply it to the scenario given in the question; evaluate the points made at the end.

Useful resources

Isaac Computer Science: https://isaaccomputerscience.org/topics?examBoard=all&stage=gcse Maths and Physics Tutor: https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/computer-science-revision/ OCR: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/computer-science-h046-h446-from-2015/assessment/

Head of Department

Link to specification

Criminology Level 3 Diploma (4543QD)

Ms S Afsar

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/media/yzqlsmq4/wjec-applied-diploma-in-criminology-spec-e-22-06-22-2.pdf

Diploma exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Unit 2 (Only those resitting this unit)

AC 1.1 Compare criminal behaviour and deviance

AC 1.2 Explain the social construction of criminality

AC 2.1 Describe biological theories of criminality

AC 2.2 Describe individualistic theories of criminality

AC 2.3 Describe sociological theories of criminality

AC 3.1 Analyse situations of criminality

AC 3.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of criminological theories to explain causes of criminality

AC 4.1 Assess the use of criminological theories in informing policy development

AC 4.2 Explain how social changes affect policy development

AC 4.3 Discuss how campaigns affect policy making

Unit 4 (all of Y13)

AC 1.1 Describe processes used for law making

AC 1.2 Describe the organization of the criminal justice system in England and Wales

AC 1.3 Describe models of Criminal Justice

AC 2.1 Explain forms of social control

AC 2.2 Discuss the aims of punishment

AC 2.3 Assess how forms of punishment meet the aims of punishment

AC 3.1 Explain the role of agencies in social control

AC 3.2 Describe the contribution of agencies to achieving social control

AC 3.3 Examine the limitations of agencies in achieving social control

AC 3.4 Evaluate the effectiveness of agencies in achieving social control

What is the best way to revise criminology?

• Create glossaries for individual topics so that you have a good level of knowledge and understanding of key concepts.

• Get yourself acquainted with the command terms used in this unit and be clear on what each command term means.

• Rate your understanding of each topic area in Unit 2 using the personalised learning checklist provided (PLC) and revisit any section you rank as a red. You may wish to add detail to your notes for these sections and practice answering exam questions. Revisit the PLC and decide whether this red area is now an amber or green. Repeat for other sections of the course.

• Regularly test yourself on your ability to recall and explain these concepts through online testing platforms such as Quizziz, Quizlet and Kahoot. This might mean creating your own quizzes.

• Create flashcards with questions and answers connected to theories of crime. Ensure that you refer to accurate examples, giving specific details of legal changes both nationally and internationally

• Try to use mind maps to connect the topics within Unit 2 together, as well as drawing synoptic links with content from Unit 1.

• Access all the Unit 2 past papers from your Google Classroom and begin to practise writing answers under timed conditions and with no textbooks or notes in front of you. Use the mark schemes after you have completed your answers. Annotate your answers with green pen to include any content you missed out the first time.

• Actively watch the Tutor2U Criminology videos. Pause and make notes as you watch.

Useful Resources

WJEC Criminology exam walkthroughs

WJEC Criminology knowledge Organisers

Unit 2 Criminology videos 'I think therefore I teach'

Tutor2U Criminology

Head of department

Link to specification

DRAMA AND THEATRE

Drama and Theatre A level (9DR0)

Mr I Williams

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/Drama-andTheatre/2016/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/a-level_drama_spec.pdf

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Section A Live theatre evaluation

This section will ask you to analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance that you have seen during the course.

You are allowed to bring 500 words of typed notes into the exam to help you respond to the questions.

This section is worth 20 marks.

You will be given a choice of two questions. Answer ONE question.

One question will include a statement and ask you to discuss how you agree or disagree with the statement. This is ONLY with regard to the play you have seen this is NOT about theatre in general, though the statement will be broad.

One question will be more specific and refer to one or more elements of the acting or design.

REMEMBER to gain the top band, you MUST use at least three specific moments from the play. Refer to these

Section B Page to stage: Realising a performance text

This section will ask you to answer two extended response questions on how you would interpret and realise an extract from the play Machinal.

You will not be able to take your text into the exam, but you will be given an extract from the text to help you respond to the questions.

This section is worth 36 marks.

This section will explore how you can approach a performance text in order to bring it to life.

This means you will need to be thoroughly familiar with Machinal in order to make it work in terms of acting and staging.

Look for meaning within the text, and how you can enhance that meaning through performance and design. You will also need to be:

Section C: Interpreting a performance text

This section will ask you to answer an extended response question on how you would re-imagine a production concept of the play Woyzeck. You will need to explain how to communicate ideas to a contemporary audience and outline how a theatre practitioner has influenced your production concept.

You are able to take clean copies of this performance text into the exam.

This section is worth 24 marks.

We have explored Woyzeck with Brecht.

This exploration will inform your response in the written examination. You will write from the perspective of a director developing an interpretation of the text for a 21st-century audience.

moments in details calling them KEY MOMENTS and evaluate and analyse them clearly.

• Aware of a range of methods of working both as a performer and a designer

• Able to explain how to put these into practice.

Your ideas for the production, including the acting and the design elements, will draw inspiration from Brecht.

You will be given an extract from the text in the written exam to help focus your response, but you should also make reference to your overall production concept.

What is the best way to revise drama?

• Have ready: your copy of Machinal and Woyzeck, 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 (Treadwell & Buchner)

• 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

Use this structure for your answer:

S State your specific moment in the scene and briefly what is happening.

L Line

I Idea what is your creative idea for this moment/overall concept?

D Description give me as much detail (using key dramatic terms, adjectives & adverbs) as to exactly what you want this to look/sound like on stage.

E Explanation how does this link to the characters/context/rest of the plot?

R Reason justify your ideas! What is the effect on the audience!

Useful resources

Use your revision book as well as class materials

Head of department

Link to specification

Economics A level (9EC0)

Mr N Rocca

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/economics-a-2015.html

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

All subject matter from Papers 1 & 2 needs to be revised for Paper 3.

What is the best way to revise economics?

• To ensure that your knowledge base is secure you should use your notes, PPTs and Knowledge booklets

• You should be completing exercises in the themed workbooks

• Practise the market structure and externalities diagrams in particular

• You could create flash cards and mind maps

• It is important that you test yourself and make revision an active process

Practise exam style questions

-mark questions.

Complete the exam style questions in the workbook provided. Remember to follow a PEEEL structure for each paragraph.

• Point

• Explain

• Evidence

• Evaluation / However

• Link back to the question

Also attempt past papers that have been sent to you on Google Classroom. Take time to read the mark schemes and examiner reports from past papers completed. In addition, revisit past papers completed previously to see how the answers could be improved.

Head of department

Link to specification

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

English Language A level (7702)

Mrs B Clarke

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-language-7701-7702/specification-at-a-glance

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

Section A: Textual Variations and Representations

Question 1 25 marks

Question 2 25 marks

Question 3 20 marks

(spend 25 minutes annotating the texts, 30 minutes on question 1, 30 minutes on question 2 and 20 minutes on question 3)

Section A - Diversity and Change:

Either: an evaluative essay on language diversity (30 marks)

Or: an evaluative essay on language change (30 marks) Spend 45 minutes on this question

Section B - Language Discourses

A question requiring analysis of how two texts use language to present ideas, attitudes and opinions (40 marks). Spend 1 hour on this question (15 minutes reading and annotating and 45 minutes writing your response)/

Question 4 30 marks

Or

Question 5 30 marks

(spend 45 minutes on this section of the paper)

A directed writing task linked to the same topic and the ideas in the texts (30 marks). Spend 45 minutes on this question

TOPICS: identity, age, social groups, accent and dialect, social class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, occupation, language change, world Englishes

What is the best way to revise English language?

Paper 1

Section A: Textual Variations and Representations

Secure your knowledge of the key technical terminology; make sure you are aware of the focus of AO1 and AO3; look at a range of different written texts, analyse the key ideas being represented and how meanings are created; revise the different language levels; be aware of the key differences in how language and texts change over time.

Revise the different stages children progress through from birth to 7+ years of age; learn the technical terminology to and theories of CLD; revise some case studies and research linked to the theories; apply your language analysis skills from Section A to understanding the data set provided for question 4.

For the question 5 task, revise relevant theories and case studies linked to literacy acquisition; learn and practise applying the correct technical terminology; look at a wide range of written extracts by children up to the age of 10 years old, both hand written and in CMC.

Paper 2

Section A: Spend time reading through your notes on each topic area. Ensure you are actively revising e.g. testing, mind maps etc. Make sure you know AO2 in detail and consider whether studies/theories can be challenged. Then spend 45 minutes planning and practising/improving exam questions.

Revise how to write a clear introduction and effective conclusion by revisiting advice and exemplars.

Section B: Revise language levels and terminology for AO1 marks and language discourses that we have studied across the areas of change and diversity e.g. decay, correctness etc.

Read a range of texts and identify the views being expressed by the writer and analyse how these views are being expressed and link to wider discourses. Then spend 45 minutes planning and practising/improving exam questions.

Read a range of opinion-based articles as style models to inform your own opinion piece. Write some practice openings and conclusions to fulfill this requirement on the mark scheme.

Head of department

Link to specification

ENGLISH LITERATURE

English Literature A level (H472)

Mrs B Clarke

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/171200-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-english-literature-h472.pdf

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

Section 1: Shakespeare: Hamlet by William Shakespeare (spend 1 hour 15 minutes on parts a) and b) = 30 marks)

• close analysis of an extract

• responding to a statement

Section 2: Drama and poetry pre-1900 (spend 1 hour and 15 minutes = 30 marks) selected poetry by Christina

• comparative essay

• Section A: Close reading - American literature 1880-1940 (Spend 1hr 15 mins on this section)

• close analysis of an unseen extract

• Section B: Comparative and Contextual Study

The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald) and The Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck) (Spend 1hr 15 mins on this section)

• comparative essay

What is the best way to revise English literature?

Component 1

Shakespeare

to create meaning and drama in the given passage. For part b, questions will start with a statement about the play given in quotation marks.

• Skim read through the play and associated notes made in class and for prep

• Revise the key themes and characters. Create revision sheets for each theme including quotations and various interpretations of the theme and characters. Interpretations can include: different theoretical lenses, critics, academics, films, theatre productions and the views of your peers. Create A3 revision sheets using different colours and sections that reflect all of the assessment objectives

• Revise what key language terminology and dramatic devices are

• Watch at least four versions of the play. Make notes on different interpretations of the characters, costumes and settings

• Re-read York Notes Part five: contexts and critical debates

• Learn a range of critical statements that include views and perspectives through the lens of: feminism,Freud andotherpsychologicaltheories,Marxism,Romanticism

• Complete practice questions

Comparative Essay

You are expected to demonstrate your appreciation of the significance of the cultural and contextual influences on the writers, readers and/or audiences (A05) and to be able to explore relationships between texts (A04).

• Revise the ideas and themes being presented in the 14 Rossetti poems studied

•

• ClickView and YouTube/Digital Theatre

• Re-read and make bullet points about cultural factors that influenced the writing of the play and the named

• Use the revision Zig Zag booklet to complete comparative activities

• Read exemplars from the OCR selection and revisit your own essays paying particular attention to your targets

• Complete practice questions

Component 2

The Unseen Extract

The first part of this sentence instructs you that you need to prioritise AO2 in your exts in which literary texts are

• Revise key contextual information from the OCR Zilboorg text, pages 17-23 in particular

• Research social, historical context 1880-1940.

• Re-visit practice unseen passages and note targets set

• Revise and make key notes from questions set on e.g. The Scarlet Letter

• Read exemplar essays from the OCR selection, mark/assess using the mark schemes and note examiner feedback. Make a list of key learning points from each exemplar e.g. how language is used to present key themes

Comparative Essay

The idea at the centre of the question will be a central theme from the set texts: The Great Gatsby and The Grapes of Wrath.

• Skim read through each text and associated notes made in class and for prep.

• Revise key contextual information from the OCR Zilboorg text, pages 10-40 in particular

• Use The Great Gatsby CGP Revision Guide. Section 2 on characterisation is useful and section 3 on key themes with particular focus on pages 36-37, 40-41, 44-45 and 48-49. Also revise language, symbolism, context and critical interpretations on pages 50-61

• Use The Great Gatsby York notes. Themes pages 56-62, Contexts P72 77, Literary Contexts pages 78-79 and Critical Interpretations pages 80-82

• Read exemplar essays from the OCR booklet, mark/assess using the mark scheme and note examiner feedback

• Revise key themes: pursuit of the Dream, social class, the roles of men and women, work, family, identity, health, consumerism/corruption, suffering, wealth and poverty, justice/fairness, role of the individual/group

• Re-read practice essays and note targets set

• Watch a film version of both texts e.g. ClickView, DVD or download

• Re-visit Nick Tredell/ Melyvn Bragg critical analysis available on ClickView

• Skim read through critical articles on both texts and list key quotations on the main themes referenced in bullet point 6

• Make lists of 5 key quotations on the key themes from both texts, as referenced in bullet point 6

• Re-visit The Jungle and practice extracts such as Babbitt, as a means of revising key themes such as migration, work, suffering, exploitation, social class, justice

• Complete practice questions as directed

Teacher in Charge

Link to specification

FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION

Food Science & Nutrition Level 3 Diploma (4563QD)

Ms C Anderson

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/media/k1wfrisk/wjec-applied-dip-in-food-science-nutrition-spec-from-2015-e-13-07-21-2.pdf

Diploma exam contents - summer 2024

Paper/component Duration Content

Unit 1 (4563UB0-1)

1 hour, 45minutes (1 hour, 30 minutes plus 15 minutes reading time)

Which topics do I need to revise?

Meeting Nutritional Needs of Specific Groups

• Section A is short answer questions

• Section B is extended answer questions

• Section C relates to a case study

Unit 1 Meeting Nutritional Needs of Specific Groups

LO1 Understand the importance of food safety

LO2 Understand properties of nutrients

LO3 Understand the relationship between nutrients and the human body

LO4 Be able to plan nutritional requirements

Percentage of diploma

25% (with the Controlled Assessment)

• Explain how individuals can take responsibility for food safety

• Explain methods used by food handlers to keep themselves clean and hygienic

• Explain methods used to keep work areas clean and hygienic

• Analyse risks associated with food safety

• Describe functions of nutrients in the human body

• Explain characteristics of unsatisfactory nutritional intake

• Analyse nutritional needs of specific groups

• Assess how different situations affect nutritional needs

• Explain how nutrients are structured

• Classify nutrients in foods

• Assess the impact of food production methods on nutritional value

• Evaluate fitness for purpose of diets

• Calculate nutritional requirements for given individuals

What is the best way to revise food science & nutrition?

Summarise your learning in a way that suits you: visually - through charts, mind-maps, tables; or auditory - listening to

• Have ready: exercise book, textbook, 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, flash cards, 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, but using the mark schemes to correct your answers once you have finished is essential. Choose questions that require you to apply your knowledge.

Useful resources

https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/

https://www.food.gov.uk/

https://www.nutrition.org.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/

https://www.ifst.org/lovefoodlovescience

FRENCH

Head of department

Link to specification

French A level (7652)

Mr S Woolnough

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/french/specifications/AQA-7652-SP-2016.PDF

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 topics Paper 2 Paper 3

• Unit 1 La famille en voie de développement

• Unit 2 La cyber-société

• Unit 3 Le rôle du bénévolat

• Unit 4 Une culture fière de son patrimoine

• Unit 5 Les aspects positifs

• Unit 6 Quelle vie pour les marginalisés?

• Unit 7 - Comment on traite les criminels

• All your notes on the film and the book

• The same topics as for Paper 1.

What is the best way to revise French?

• Revise your class notes and look at the Theme Objectives at the beginning of each unit. For example, you can find the objectives for Unit 1 on page 13 of your textbook.

• Design mind maps or write a list of facts based on the ideas discussed in lessons. These mind maps/lists should be organised per unit. You can also extract ideas from the reading and listening exercises that we have done in lessons.

• Read news articles (primarily www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/news)

• http://fr.euronews.com/ www.lemonde.fr) related to the themes for Paper 1 and add the main ideas to your mind maps/lists. You should also try to listen to the news in French. The Euronews channel (en français) on YouTube is a good option: https://fr.euronews.com/live http://fr.euronews.com/ www.20minutes.fr/

• Use your grammar workbook in order to complete as many exercises as you can in order to practise your grammar and translation skills. You can also practise your grammar using www.languagesonline.org.uk

• Study all the lists of vocabulary and make mind maps for vocabulary for each unit. You will find revision sets on Quizlet or Memrise for each unit.

• Go onto the AQA website for past papers and ensure you complete timed papers.

• Make sure you reread Les Mains Sales and watch La Vie en Rose. Read through your class notes and student guides for the book and film. You should also design mind maps for themes and characters. At the end of each guide there are example of essays together with exam advice. Please make sure you read these sections carefully.

Head of department

Link to specification

GEOGRAPHY

Geography A level (7037)

Mr A Pinks

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7037/specification-at-a-glance

Link to past papers

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7037/assessment-resources

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

• Water and Carbon Cycle (36 marks. Spend 45 minutes on this section)

• Coastal Systems and Landscapes (36 marks. Spend 45 minutes on this section)

• Hazards (48 marks. Spend 1 hour on this section)

• Global Governance (36 marks. Spend 45 minutes on this section)

• Changing Places (36 marks. Spend 45 minutes on this section)

• Population and Environment (48 marks. Spend 1 hour on this section)

What is the best way to revise geography?

As a general rule, you will have 1¾ minutes for each mark. The structure of the questions for the shorter topics (coasts and changing places) will be as follows:

be as follows:

For the essays, make sure you include a plan. Remember the mark scheme is looking for the following:

HISTORY

Head of Department

Link to specification

History A level (H505)

Mr P Jeffrey

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/170128-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-history-a-h505.pdf

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

The Early Stuarts 1603-1646

• James I and parliament

• James I and religion

• Charles I 1625-1640

• Charles I and the victory of Parliament 1640-1646

• The failure to achieve a settlement 1646-1649

• Commonwealth and Protectorate

• The Restoration of Charles II

• Establishing Apartheid

• The development of Apartheid and growing resistance

• The collapse of Apartheid 19781989

• A New South Africa 1989-1999

• African Americans

• Trade Union and Labour Rights

• Native American Indians

• Women

• c1875-c1896

• The New Deal and civil rights

• Malcolm X and Black Power

What is the best way to revise history?

• Link to past questions: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/history-a-h105-h505-from2015/assessment/

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

• https://www.popplet.com/ Popplet is a good virtual mind mapping tool

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

Source question = 30 marks

Flashcards to remember the technique of answering a source question

Create a list of reasons why sources are created

Flashcards of key information, dates and people in the period as they may come up in a source or be the creator of a source

Essay question: 20 marks

Ensure you can write 3 paragraphs per topic and be clear which factor is the most important, and why. Use measuring vocabulary.

● Examples grids on key factors such as Supreme Court cases, federal government policies, Congressional legislation, leadership and groups and opposition groups and leaders.

● Thematic timelines charting key turning points in the topics with underlying themes such as changing ideology, party support and structure and economic growth.

● Essay plans including criteria for judgement and signpost sentences

● Essays in timed conditions

Apartheid & Reconciliation: South African Politics 1948-1999

Make notes on key groups and individuals those who were opposed to apartheid and those who were committed to it.

For the essays it is often about change over time, complete a timeline including evidence of increasing apartheid alongside opposition to apartheid.

The Early Stuarts and the Origins of the Civil War 1603 1660

Head of department

Link to specification

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics A level (9MA0)

Mrs L Honnor (temporary stand-in Mrs D Cox)

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/mathematics-2017.html

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1

All content from the Year 1 book and the following chapters from the year 2 book:

Chapter 1 Algebraic methods

Chapter 2 Functions and graphs

Chapter 3 Sequences and series

Chapter 4 Binomial expansion

Chapter 5 - Radians

Chapter 6 Trig functions

Chapter 7 Trig and modelling

Chapter 8 Parametric equations

Chapter 9 Differentiation up to the quotient rule

Paper 2

All content from the Year 1 book and the following chapters from the year 2 book:

Chapter 1 Algebraic methods

Chapter 2 Functions and graphs

Chapter 3 Sequences and series

Chapter 4 Binomial expansion

Chapter 5 - Radians

Chapter 6 Trig functions

Chapter 7 Trig and modelling

Chapter 8 Parametric equations

Chapter 9 - Differentiation up to the quotient rule

What is the best way to revise maths?

Paper 3 - Applied

All content from the Year 1 book and the following chapters from the year 2 book:

Chapter 1 Regression, correlation and hypothesis testing

Chapter 3 Normal distribution

Chapter 4 - Moments

Chapter 5 Forces & friction

Chapter 6 - Projectiles

• The best way to revise for maths is by completing questions and checking your solutions

• As a general rule, you should spend 1 minute for each mark on the paper. This then allows time for checking answers

• Begin by concentrating on specific topics and completing questions on that topic and using websites for help and model solutions if you need

When you are ready: practise past papers under timed conditions so that you can familiarise yourself with timings and begin to develop techniques for checking your solutions.

Ensure you have a list of formulae that you need to know or an efficient method for deriving them.

Useful resources

● https://www.drfrostmaths.com/ includes video solutions and questions broken down by topic

● https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/ - has past paper questions and solutions and excellent revision sheets and cheat sheets. These are worth printing for reference.

● https://www.examsolutions.net/a-level-maths/edexcel/ - has tutorials and videos of worked solutions to exam papers.

Teacher in Charge

Link to specification

MEDIA STUDIES

Media Studies A level (9607)

Ms E Ashton

https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-levelmedia-studies-9607/

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 2 Media Texts & Contexts has 2 sections:

Section A Unseen TV drama extract

Practise summing up the representations and context in an introductory paragraph

Revise the terminology of film language on the class blog: camerawork, mise-en-scène, editing, sound

Rehearse expressing how meaning is made using the 3point process: T, E, EAA (terminology, example, explanation, analysis, argument)

Aim to include a relevant theorist (Hall, Barthes, Levi Strauss, Mulvey etc.) where appropriate

Apply your revision by watching a variety of TV drama extracts and identify the film language relevant 5 minute TV series openings Drama/Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Read through the exemplar scripts

Section B Media Contexts: The Film Industry

Study existing exam questions and practise writing relevant topic sentences. This is key to success!

Revise key concepts: ownership, convergence, synergy, distribution, exhibition, consumption, digital, streaming. Prepare evidence of your own media consumption and wider industry trends/patterns.

Revise case studies know the studio, distributor, audience, trailers, websites, marketing

• Black Widow

• I Daniel Blake

• Parasite

• Streaming Netflix/Industry

Component 4 Critical Perspectives

Section A

Media debates (30 marks)

Go over the case studies for each of the following. One question on each. Write for 30 minutes on each.

• Regulation - contexts

• Ofcom

• BBFC

• PEGI

• IPSO

• Debates on regulation - moral, democratic

• Technological challenges

• Control

• Audience participation

• Shifting values and culture

• Effects theory - moral panics

• Fake news

• Wild west web

Case studies

• The Joker

• Grand Theft Auto/ High School shootings (moral panics)

• Internet - lack of regulation

• Twitter - Elon Musk

• Facebook - Mark Zuckerburg

• News Corp - Rupert Murdoch

Power and the Media:

• Influence of ownership

• Specific audiences

• Social media - the impact of voices - Twitter, YouTube, Facebook etc

• People power

• Political affiliations

• Markets - what sells

• Fake news

• Hyperdermic needle

• Uses and gratifications

• Gramsci and Hegemony

• Social media influences

• Dominant ideologies

Case studies

• Twitter - Elon Musk

• Facebook - Mark Zuckerburg

• News Corp - Rupert Murdoch

• Greta Thunberg

• Black Lives Matter/ Birth of the Nation/ Childish G

Section B

Media ecology (30 marks)

You answer one question. Spend one hour.

• The role of technology

• Mediation

• Representation

• Convergence

• Current media landscapes

• Ownership

• Democracy

• Marshal McLuhan

Case studies

• Twitter - Elon Musk

• Facebook - Mark Zuckerburg

• News Corp - Rupert Murdoch

• Cambridge AnalyticaBREXIT/ US Election

• Facebook - Myanmar

Revise theorists first (Marshall McLuhan, Postman, Jenkins, Gillmor, Gauntlett, Wesch,

studies (like smartphone) and link them to exam questions

What is the best way to revise essay techniques?

Use the class blog http://cie9607.blogspot.com/, your model answers and essay frameworks

Key Concepts: industry and audience

Discuss the processes of production, distribution and marketing

Current trends and issues in the film industry

The different ways in which audiences find out about films, what they watch and where they watch them

The issues raised by media ownership and funding

The importance of cross-media convergence & synergy in production, distribution, marketing Technologies introduced recently at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and at the point of consumption

How different audiences are targeted - how your own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends in audience behaviour: have examples ready

What is the best way to revise media studies?

Take one topic at a time: read it through, reduce each to 3 paragraphs of 3 points with 3 examples.

introduce each paragraph.

Match at least one theorist to your topic.

Definition of media ecology? The concept of media ecology can be traced back to Marshall McLuhan and Neil Postman, and refers to the ways in which media, technology and ways of communicating shape our environment, our society and daily lives.

Teacher in Charge

Link to specification

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education A level (H555)

Ms R Rixon

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/234833-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-physical-education-h555.pdf

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 - Physiological factors affecting performance

1.1a Skeletal and Muscular systems

1.1b Cardiovascular and respiratory systems

1.1c Energy for exercise

1.1d Environmental effects on body systems

1.2 Exercise physiology

1.2a Diet and nutrition and their effect on physical activity and performance

1.2b Preparation and training methods in relation to improving and maintaining physical activity and performance

1.2c Injury prevention and the rehabilitation of injury - acute and chronic injuries

1.3 Biomechanics

1.3a Biomechanical principles, levers and the use of technology

1.3b Linear motion, angular motion, fluid mechanics and projectile motion

Paper 2 Psychological factors affecting performance

Paper 3 Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport

3.2 Contemporary issues in physical activity and sport

What is the best way to revise PE?

• Answering questions and use mark schemes understand how each section of the paper assesses you (available on Google classroom).

• Understand the COMMAND WORDS

Section A Questions AO1, AO2 command words are Identify and Describe. Usually, 2 marks per question but effectively identify or describe and give a sporting example.

Section B Questions AO1, AO2 and AO3 command words are Identify, Describe, Explain and Critically Evaluate.

• Tasks to aid revision.

Create further resources: Where you are not sure

• Textbook and Revision Guide can only be used together

• Create your own written notes using Google slides/PPT/any other method.

• Memrise: use this to create key word and definition.

Past paper and sample assessment material

• Find: Short AO1 question, longer AO2/O3 question for each topic understand the mark scheme.

• Adapt exam questions to ask on a different element of the same topic.

• Adapt command words to change exam questions and marks.

• Create your own flash cards.

• The EverLearner Lectures - Make notes from these, but better still, find the mistakes. Although this is an excellent revision and information resource there are occasional pieces of information not relevant to this exam board. If you can find those, then you are doing very well.

Use The Everlearner quizzes to help check knowledge.

Helpful resources:

Past papers and sample assessment materials link: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/physical-education-h155-h555-from-2016/assessment/

PHYSICS

Head of department

Link to specification

Physics A level (A420QS)

Miss A Jackson

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/media/jh5iwuvk/eduqas-a-level-physics-spec-from-2015-e-22-09-22.pdf

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 1

1. Basic physics

2. Kinematics

3. Dynamics

4. Energy concepts

5. Circular motion

6. Vibrations

7. Kinetic theory

8. Thermal physics

Component 2

1. Conduction of electricity

2. Resistance

3. D.C. circuits

4. Capacitance

5. Solids under stress

6. Electrostatic and gravitational fields of force

7. Using radiation to investigate stars

8. Orbits and the wider universe

What is the best way to revise physics?

Component 3

1. The nature of waves

2. Wave properties

3. Refraction of light

4. Photons

5. Lasers

6. Nuclear decay

7. Particles and nuclear structure

8. Nuclear energy

9. Magnetic fields

10. Electromagnetic induction

Optional topic:

B: Medical physics

The best way to revise for your A level Physics is by completing as many past papers as possible, alongside extensive use of mark schemes. Folders of past paper questions have been collated for you on the school Google Drive (links below). In these folders are also packs of practice questions that we have used in lessons.

Year 12 topics:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1axKJrQdYAtiq3YQMPyPLV2VszkGhR0CS?usp=sharing

Year 13 topics, checklists, useful videos, practice comprehension questions and entire past papers (with handwritten model solutions):

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1A1HPxf-dS1Eh6A6Q-ibXMEEv5_aIjVUY?usp=sharing

Helpful resources:

• The A Level Physics Online website (excellent revision videos for the required practical activities): https://www.alevelphysicsonline.com/eduqas

The A Level Physics Online Login details can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17MxzKChxpj6qvWYukTRNpOhVIue5tSAwn4adHL_CPA/edit?usp=sharing

All of the Year 12 content is free, but to access the Year 13 content you will need to log in.

You can see videos about some of the required practicals here:

https://www.alevelphysicsonline.com/year-12-practicals and https://www.alevelphysicsonline.com/year-13-practicals-schools

•

POLITICS

Head of department

Link to specification

Politics A level (9PL0)

Mrs L Smith

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/Politics/2017/Specification%20and%20sample%20asses sments/A-level-Politics-Specification.pdf

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Component 1

UK Politics

• Democracy and participation

• Political parties

• Electoral systems

• Voting Behaviour and the media

Political ideologies

• Socialism

• Conservatism

• Liberalism

Component 2

UK Government

• The constitution

• Parliament

• Prime Minister and executive

• Relations between the branches

Political ideologies

• Anarchism

What is the best way to revise politics?

Component 3

Global politics

• The state and globalisation

• Global governance: political and economic

• Human rights

• The environment

• Power and developments

• Regionalism and the EU

Comparative theories

• Liberalism

• Realism

• Create plans for past questions using PEACE structure

• Link to past questions: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/politics2017.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=Pearson-UK:Category%2FExam-materials

• Keep up to date with political changes, continue to watch the news so you have the most up to date examples possible

• Using mind maps will help you visualise your politics notes. Make links between events and people so you can anchor your knowledge. Mind maps will also help you to make links between the different components in the papers.

• https://www.popplet.com/ Popplet is a good virtual mind mapping tool, you can even use it on your phones

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

• Create flashcards of the key thinkers

• Debate your arguments with each other, your family members and your friends

• Use knowledge charts, linked to the specification, to find gaps in your knowledge

• Make sure that you have around 4 arguments for and against all of the big questions that you can call upon trouble if you forget any of them in the exam

• Use Seneca for knowledge recall, class code: saxk4638yj

Head of department

Link to specification

PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology A level (7182)

Ms S Afsar

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/psychology/specifications/AQA-7181-7182-SP-2015.PDF

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

• Social Influence (24 marks, spend 30 minutes on this section)

• Memory (24 marks, spend 30 minutes on this section)

• Attachment (24 marks, spend 30 minutes on this section)

• Psychopathology (24 marks, spend 30 minutes on this section)

• Approaches (24 marks, spend 30 minutes on this section)

• Biopsychology (24 marks, spend 30 minutes on this section)

• Research Methods (48 marks, spend 1 hour on this section)

What is the best way to revise psychology?

• Issues and Debates (24 marks, spend 30 minutes on this section)

• Schizophrenia (24 marks, spend 30 minutes on this section)

• Cognition and Development (24 marks, spend 30 minutes on this section)

• Forensic Psychology (24 marks, spend 30 minutes on this section)

• Do not leave revision too late! Use the planning notes given to you make a revision timetable, taking note of which topics will be in papers 1, 2 and 3

• Do not spend too long in each session of revision. Remember the 90-minute cycles of attention. So, take breaks

• Read whichever material suits your style of learning. Make notes such as Cornell note styles or others that suit your needs or adapt the booklet using a textbook and PowerPoints

• Break the material in each sub-topic down into short bullet points under the skill objectives AO1 and AO3 including the key terms from the specification

• Keep the specification with you the exam can only ask questions based on content within the specification. Remember that any topic could be assessed as an essay question if it is in the specification. You will not have essay questions in the Research Methods topic, however, and the largest mark question will be worth 12 marks

• Use the personalised learning checklists for each topic to ensure you are aware of areas you know well and areas you need to specifically target

• Practise multiple exam questions check using AQA mark schemes read then practise.

• Find a responsible revision buddy to help test you on key concepts and theories

• Go online and use websites such as Psych Boost and Tutor2U for revision resources. Create your own Quizlets, Quizziz and Kahoots for key terms

• Actively watch webinars by tutor2u or Psych boost, which means pausing, making notes and asking questions

Exam questions and timing

• The exams are 2 hours long and have 96 marks equally distributed among the 4 topics per paper

• Examiners often say one minute and 30 words per mark, but common sense would indicate that shorter answers may be more quickly answered adequately than longer ones focus on 30 minutes per section [60 mins on the research methods section]

Questions range from 1-16 marks

• When answering take the marks into account

questions with a stem [story] must include that stem as part of the requirements of the question [AO2]

• Maths questions must show working out when required so ensure that you have a calculator for all 3 papers.

• Learn the table for choosing the correct statistical test and practise questions on the Sign test

• 16-mark questions are both AO1 and AO3, and possibly AO2 the balance is 6 marks for AO1 and 10 for AO3 the balance should both be correct in terms of content but also appear right

• For a 16-mark question without a stem, aim for six points of information/key concepts which you will explain for the AO1 section and aim for 3-4 chunky PEEL paragraphs for the evaluation section

• For a 16-mark stem question, remember to link the stem to both your AO1 and AO3 sections and have at least 3 evaluation points

• For an 8-mark for 2 evaluation points and have a balance of one positive and one negative point

•

• A discuss question always wants evaluation and knowledge

• A discuss 16-mark question requires a conclusion

• Avoid waffle and commonsensical answers and choose factual accuracy and developed use of specialised key terms

• Remember that a Research Methods question can be embedded and appear within any section of the courseprepare well for this! It is also a double section in Paper 2 and constitutes 33% of the overall marks

• Within the Research Methods section, as with stem questions, you will always have to provide contextual detail in your answers

•

•

• With Biopsychology questions, prepare in advance by drawing and labelling diagrams of neurons, brain regions and synaptic transmission, for example

Head of department

Link to specification

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Religious Studies A level (7062B)

Mrs E Robinson

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/rs/specifications/AQA-7062-SP-2016.PDF

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 Paper 2

Philosophy

1. Arguments for the existence of God (teleological, cosmological, ontological)

2. Evil and Suffering

3. Religious experience

4. Religious language

5. Miracles

6. Self, death and Afterlife

Ethics

1. Normative ethical theories

2. Applied ethics

3. Meta Ethics

4. Free will and moral responsibility

5. Conscience

6. Bentham and Kant

Christianity

1. Sources of wisdom and authority

2. God

3. Good moral conduct

4. Gender and sexuality

5. Self, death and afterlife

6. Expressions of Religious Identity

7. Christianity and Science

8. Challenge of Secularization

9. Migration and Religious Pluralism

Dialogues

Dialogues - Philosophy

Dialogues - Ethics

These questions bring together different strands of the course. No new content is required

What is the best way to revise philosophy?

• Use the specification to ensure you are familiar with all key words and concepts of the topics listed above.

• Use a range of resources e.g. topic on a page summary we have provided, text books and notes.

• Ensure your revision is active e.g. make notes, create revision cards to learn key words, make mind maps for each topic.

• Re-write past essays using the feedback you have been given.

•

• Familiarise yourself with the format of the exam and the demands of each question e.g.

o AO1 (10 marks) you must examine the issues raised in the question, maintaining a careful focus.

o AO2 (15 marks) you need to evaluate the statement given, considering at least two points of view and providing a clear personal judgement.

o Dialogue (45 marks) this is a combination of AO1 and AO2 skills. You should approach it as you would an AO2, but include more information throughout. It is important to plan this, as you must include content from both sides of the course, as well as considering different viewpoints.

• Look at the mark schemes and examiner reports to see what is required for the highest marks e.g. accuracy, relevance, specificity, precision, perception, diversity of views and frequent references to the question

• Always feel free to email your teachers for help if you need advice.

SOCIOLOGY

Sociology A level (H580)

Head of Department Ms S Afsar

Link to specification

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/170212-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-sociology.pdf

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

What is the best way to revise sociology?

• Download the specification and use this in addition to PowerPoints, class notes, textbooks and tutor2U videos to create your ultimate user-friendly revision notes

• For each topic, create a glossary of key concepts in the area, a list of key sociologists with brief details of their research, links to key sociological theories, real world examples to illustrate these ideas and evaluation points. This will ensure that you are covering AO1, AO2 and AO3 assessment objectives

• Create A3 mind maps of entire topic areas to give you the big picture overview of the topic. Start to add in synoptic links to other topics you have learned on the course

• Know the structure of each paper, each section, what command terms mean and what the assessment objectives (AOs) are for each question.

• When you are evaluating a research method, use the PERVERT mnemonic (practical, ethical, reliable, valid, example, representative and theoretical)

• When analysing the contribution made by competing sociological theories in a particular area, e.g. Crime and Deviance, draw out a Venn Diagram and look to make comparisons and contrasts

• In extended writing questions, remember to develop your arguments with reference to sociological research, theoretical perspectives, relevant statistics and supporting examples to strengthen the point. When evaluating your argument, avoid juxtapositioning alternative theories. Make your evaluation point count by directly addressing the previous point.

• Prepare for big essay questions by writing detailed plans for a wide range of essay titles. Wherever possible, practice without notes or books and review later by including any missed out details in a different colour

• Use Tutor2U videos on a range of key areas of sociology - however, ensure that you are doing this actively by pausing the clip, making notes, asking, and then answering questions about the content

• Use Crash Course Sociology in the same way by watching and writing Cornell style notes simultaneously

• Prepare source questions by regularly reading a newspaper and looking for the relevant sociology in the article

Helpful resources

• Crash Course Sociology

• Tutor2U Sociology

• Sociology Central

• Revisesociology.com

SPANISH

Head of department

Link to specification

Spanish A level (7692)

Mr S Woolnough

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/spanish/specifications/AQA-7692-SP-2016.PDF

A level exam contents - summer 2024

Which topics do I need to revise?

Paper 1 and Paper 3 topics Paper 2

• Los valores tradicionales y modernos

• El ciberespacio

• La igualdad de los sexos

• La influencia de los ídolos

• La identidad regional en España

• El patrimonio cultural

• La inmigración

• El racismo

• La convivencia de las culturas

• Jóvenes de hoy, ciudadanos del mañana

• Monarquías y dictaduras

• Los movimientos populares

• Paper 3 only: your research project

What is the best way to revise Spanish?

• Film:

• Text: Réquiem por un campesino español by R. Sender

• All the grammar listed in the specification with a focus on:

o Present indicative and subjunctive

o Imperfect and pluperfect subjunctives

o Imperfect vs preterit

o The vocabulary from the themes for Paper 1

• Revise your class notes and look at the Theme Objectives at the beginning of each unit. For example, you can find the objectives for Unit 1 on page 13 of your textbook

• Design mind maps or write a list of facts based on the ideas discussed in lessons. These mind maps/lists should be organised per unit. You can also extract ideas from the reading and listening exercises that we have done in lessons

• Read news articles (primarily from El País https://elpais.com/ and/or 20Minutos https://www.20minutos.es/) related to the themes for Paper 1 and add the main ideas to your mind maps/lists. You should also try to listen

to the news in Spanish. The Euronews channel (en espanol) on YouTube is a good option: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbKgQhFlMdU

• Use your grammar workbook in order to complete as many exercises as you can in order to practise your grammar and translation skills. You can also practise your grammar using www.spanishdct.com

• Study all the lists of vocabulary which can be found here: https://quizlet.com/class/16725771/members. Focus on the ones from Themes 3 and 4

• Make sure you read the guides for El Laberinto del Fauno and Réquiem por un campesino español by Hodder Education. You should also design a mind map for each one of the sections. Focus on the historical context, themes and characters. At the end of each guide there are example of essays together with exam advice. Please make sure you read these sections carefully