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REVISION ADVICE FOR PARENTS EASTER 2026

Contents Biology .................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Chemistry .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Classical Civilisation ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 Design Technology ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 Drama.................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Economics ............................................................................................................................................................................ 7 English .................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 French ................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Geography .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Geology ............................................................................................................................................................................... 11 German ............................................................................................................................................................................... 12 History................................................................................................................................................................................. 13 History of Art..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Latin ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Maths ................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Music ................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Physics ................................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Politics ................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Spanish ................................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Theology and Philosophy ................................................................................................................................................ 21

Biology -

Students need to do a mixture of content learning and past exam paper practice. For the content learning, they have a number of resources including the textbook, CGP Revision Guide, a Practical Skills Handbook, and the laminated FCS Maths Skills for Biologists guide. From these they can make appropriate revision cards / notes. All Students also have access to the online resource Uplearn. This is basic but vital as many students tend to leave learning the terminology and definitions too late. They need the E, D, C and B marks as well as the A / A* ones for top grades! All students, irrespective of ability, are required to complete all sections and the online tests. This will get them up to B grade level from where they may have the confidence to jump to A/A* and/or consolidate their position there. Be methodical, do a number of sections a day, and it will go quickly. All tests to be completed to green standard by the end of the Easter Holidays! (Top Tip: if you’re bright enough to find the presentations tedious, play them at double speed.) Past Exam Paper Practice. All students have had a large green folder of exam papers and mark schemes since Michaelmas Term. They are welcome to finish this in full over the Easter – we have plenty more to delight them with on their return! I would recommend working through the lot, doing 10-20 pages on each section, then moving on to the next one to ensure even coverage of all topic areas. They can then go back round to the start and do the next 10-20 pages etc, until finished. Any boy who runs out of past papers over the holidays should email MGN and they will be given access to a folder with plenty more to do.

Chemistry The Easter break is the last meaningful opportunity to consolidate notes and work through topics in our green revision folder (boys have already made a start and worked through the course since the start of the Michaelmas term). In order to make the most of the summer term, every topic in the revision folder should feel familiar, well-practised, and secure so that the we can fully concentrate on the technicalities of the exam papers and hone our technique to access as many as marks as possible. Everything that is achieved over the upcoming holidays is vital preparation to tackle full length past papers with confidence next term. The strategies below are drawn from well-established learning science and will make your revision far more effective than simply re-reading the notes. Step 1: Complete Your Green Folder Firstly ensuring that every set of notes is written up and every topic question in the folder is answered and self-marked. Boys should not think they know better and do something else instead. There are more questions online for which boys have been given the following link: 62 Green Revision Folder Writing notes by hand is a powerful memory technique (elaborative encoding). Putting ideas into own words forces the brain to process them more intensely. Importantly after each completed section, could key ideas be explained to someone else without looking at the page? Step 2: Retrieval practice Once the folder has been completed, boys should go back over every topic question they found difficult. They should not simply read the correct answer which is ineffective revision. Instead, they should use active recall: covering the answer, attempting the question again from memory, then checking. Step 3: Spaced Repetition and Interval Revision Spreading revision across multiple sessions is far more effective than cramming. This is the underlying principle of spaced repetition: each time boys return to a topic after a short period of time, their memory of it becomes stronger and increasingly more permanent. The aim is to revisit each topic at least three times over the holiday as shown in the schedule below: Week 1: Days 1–4 First pass through all topics

Week 1: Days 5–7 Rework difficult questions

Week 2: Days 1–5 Second pass — active recall only

Final Review: Days 6–7 Consolidate weakest areas

Step 4: Commit Knowledge to Long-Term Memory There is a crucial difference between recognising an answer when one sees it and being able to produce it independently under exam conditions. True mastery means the latter. Techniques that help to internalise content efficiently and effectively include: • Brain dumps: closing the folder and writing everything one knows about a topic from scratch. Comparing with notes and filling in the gaps. • The Feynman technique: explaining a concept aloud as if teaching it to somebody else. Where the explanation falters, the understanding needs work. • Flashcards with self-testing: creating cards for definitions, formulas, and key facts. Testing daily, three correct answers in a row is the aim here. • Interleaving: mixing topics within a revision session rather than one topic at a time. This feels harder, but the additional mental effort produces stronger, more flexible memory. Finally, past papers test the ability to apply knowledge under pressure — and that ability is built in the quiet of the holidays through consistent and deliberate practice. Boys who arrive back at school with a secure grasp of every topic will find past papers impactful rather than overwhelming. Work hard. Work smart. Believe in the process.

Classical Civilisation The World of the Hero exam is on 12th May, so it is important that you are organised with your revision over Easter. Begin by revising the plot and key details of each text using your notes on OneNote – use the plot tests and gap fills to test yourself. Re-read books which you are not confident on. You should then divide your time between planning and answering 10-mark questions, making essay plans for 20- and 30-mark questions (using the master spreadsheet to help with quotes and scholarship), learning these plans, and writing some essays in timed conditions. As part of this, you should review questions which you have answered previously (together with the model answers on OneNote) and turn these back into essay plans. All questions and supporting resources are available on OneNote. You are encouraged to add to the revision tracker on Teams over the course of the holiday. I will expect to see evidence of the following work having been completed in our first lesson back: -

Answer at least four × 10-mark questions (15 minutes each) Answer at least two × 10-mark comparison questions (15 minutes each) Plan at least 10 × 20-mark essays (five on each text) Write at least four × 20-mark essays (two on each text - 30 minutes each) Plan at least eight × 30-mark essays (four on each text) Write at least four × 30-mark essays (two on each text - 45 minutes each)

Make sure that your 20- and 30-mark essays cover a range of themes and characters across both texts. You are also strongly encouraged to return to school early on Wednesday 15th April to complete a full 2 hour 30 minute mock. For Greek Theatre, start by revisiting the plays themselves so that you are secure on the plot. Alongside this, revise the key quotations on your OneNote pages and use the Quizlet sets to consolidate knowledge of important details. It is also helpful to review the Content Library exemplar answers so that you are familiar with what strong exam responses look like. You should also complete the Easter practice questions on OneNote to practise applying your knowledge. There will be a content test on Greek Theatre immediately after Easter. For Greek Religion, revise the material using the Quizlet sets and again review the Content Library exemplar answers to reinforce your understanding of how the material is used in exam answers. You should also complete the Easter practice questions on OneNote. As with Theatre, there will be a content test on Greek Religion as soon as we return after Easter.

Design Technology Design - Home A dedicated section on our Sharepoint can be found at: 62 - Holiday work NEA Complete the final evaluation section and obtain client feedback ready for NEA submission on the first day of term. NEA Checklist can be found here A_NEA_00 Ensure all photographs have been taken of your project if this is not going home to be tested and evaluated. Theory Ensure confidence survey is up to date and tackling specific revision to remove ‘Reds’ from confidence survey. A Level Revision Areas highlighted from confidence survey can be tested by tackling hand-picked question packs found here A_Level_00 Moving forward ‘Hell paper packs’ can be found here A Level Hell Papers, these also contain mark schemes, to further pinpoint areas of weakness.

Drama This is the general advice given to 6.2: -

ST written examination, 21st May – earlier than usual and worth 40% of the grade. Made up of ‘Jerusalem’, ‘Our Country's Good’ and Live Theatre Analysis. Ensure you know the FACTS about each play, and the SKILLS (each part of the structure that we use in Drama: 'PEDERC/PECDER') needed to succeed in the exam. -An A*/ A isn't going to come on its own. Please continue to use the initiative and independent thinking that most of you have displayed this term. Teachers are here to help you, but you must earn the grade yourself and work hard, independently. Work in your own time to expand your knowledge of the set texts for the exam, and the play you will write about for the live theatre section. Research and revision need to be going on in the background. Use the 'Revision Menu' to shape revision activities, available on Teams.

Economics -

Students should all have produced their own flashcards or similar which allow them to test themselves on key terms and their definitions or lists and the contents of those lists. This isn’t about having absolutely every single key term but making sure that the main terms in each topic are known with certainty. Key explanation paragraphs should be practised from memory with examples to compare them to those found on the ‘Economics Resources’ OneNote. They have all had this shared to them via email. The ‘Economics Resources’ OneNote also contains a section with past paper questions. Students should produce essay plans which include which two or three points they will make, the evaluative comment for each point and a final judgement comparing the arguments with a definitive final answer. The points made should relate to one of the example paragraphs where reasonable. The goal here is to become familiar with the major arguments in each topic so that essay planning becomes more reflexive. Avoid writing full essays until all of the above can be done to a good standard.

English For resources, check the English Sharepoint: A Level. Active revision is effective revision: -

Blank page brain dumping – write down everything you know about, for example, ‘Othello’ context. Then look over your notes. Spot the gaps and fill them in. Repeat this process with your anthology poetry revision booklet or Keats context or whichever other areas you need to practise.

Learning Stage THEN Doing Stage – using the methods on this page, learn the key content, quotes, context, textual ideas before then putting it into practice by writing a paragraph. At some point you need to “get in the boat on the river” and not just stay in the “erg room”. Replicating the first 15 minutes of the exam regularly can be very powerful.

Time yourself planning essay questions – give yourself 15-20 minutes. Then write the introduction and first paragraph. Leave this alone for a day or so. Read it again, ideally aloud, to someone else. Is the line of argument clear? Is the quotation well-chosen? Does the analysis show understanding of detail and nuance? Does the context show detailed knowledge? Is it integrated into an argument tor connected to the text clearly? Revisit model answers on OneNote and compare your work to them.

Revisit OneNote for model answers, annotations and resources when planning. Do you know each Act of the play well enough? Do you know enough terminology?

Read an unseen poem every other day: Carol Rumens's poem of the week | The Guardian. When you have read the poem, think PLOT, SENSE, CRAFT. Make some notes. Then read the essay underneath the poem. What did you spot or not spot?

Make flashcards for poetic/dramatic/prose terms and test yourself, or even better, have someone else test you. Include examples and effects in your flashcards.

Have someone else test you on the five key language and structure points on each anthology poem/key context/key critics/character traits/paired episodes of the novel. Be tough on yourself – do you know them? Try without the poem in front of you (i.e. what can you do from memory) and then get a blank copy of the poem in front of you and then get your annotated copy in front of you – layer your revision.

For prose, write down 5 key quotations per novel, and for each link it to a precise example of context – remember, ‘Names and Dates’ for context. Once you can do this regularly, look at past questions and make it harder by writing down quotations that fit that question.

Start building up thematic planning sheets for your Named Poet/Movement. For example, for The Romantics, which poems would work well for a Nature question? For Keats, which poems would fit a question on his Classical inspiration? For Donne, which poems explore the problem of sin? You need to get to a stage where whichever question comes up, you can immediately think of 2+ poems that would work well. 8

French The ‘little and often’ approach is the most effective way to revise for French, especially when it comes to speaking and listening practice, vocab and grammar revision. Candidates should therefore be dedicating short 10-15 minute burst of time on these activities several times a day, as well as longer chunks of time on timed past paper practice and essay planning. Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Translation into English -

Timed comprehension past paper practice in exam conditions, then go back over it with a dictionary. Note down unknown vocab and learn! Redo questions that were difficult after a break of several days. Use translation booklets or go back over previous translations and redo them Frequent exposure to current affairs (Le Journal en Français Facile, 1 Jour 1 Actu, Hugo Décrypte, L’Heure du Monde).

Paper 2: Writing (Translation into French, Film and Literature) -

Use translation booklet, plus re-translation of previous Fr>Eng translations. Redraft previously corrected essays, making sure to act on feedback. Create essay plans using past exam questions. Revise technical vocab for essay-writing Revise notes and quotes on characters, themes, technique and context. Re-watch the film La Haine and add to existing notes. Re-read Boule de Suif, Deux Amis, La Mère Sauvage and Un Duel (and the translations) and add to existing notes.

Paper 3: Speaking (Theme statement to respond to, Presentation on Independent Research Project), exam on Tuesday 28th April -

Finalise a research statement, key findings and sources. Finalise and learn a two-minute summary for the spoken presentation. Prepare evidence and analysis in French for each key finding. Practise discussing the topic with a family member, friend or chatbot. Study the Theme Overview booklets and practise discussing the themes with a French speaker. Review past speaking exam questions and record practice answers.

Parents can help by asking their son to explain what he has read or listened to, and what new vocabulary he has acquired. Candidates could also explain the key themes and characters from the set works and discuss the four course themes as well as their research project.

Geography -

The specification is the key guide for revision. All questions are formulated from the specification. Therefore, the boys must make sure they understand the knowledge required for each bullet point across all topics. Advice is they use it as a checklist. To start, go through the specification for each topic and highlight each bullet point depending on confidence of knowledge (eg, Green = completely understand, Amber = sort of know, Red = do not know). Start with learning the ‘red’ bullet points. By the time students get to the exam, the whole specification should be green. All OneNote pages link to the specification – use these class notes as guide to your revision Knowledge and Understanding: • AO1 knowledge is key. If the students do not know the knowledge, they cannot create good essays. • Use flashcards or concept maps to learn case study facts and key processes. • Use blurting to test how much you know and then fill in the blanks with a different colour. • Practice shorter questions (eg, AO1 knowledge questions and AO3 source questions) and check answers using mark schemes. Do these under timed conditions and without notes, once you are confident you understand the knowledge (this is a good way to test the effectiveness of initial revision). - Past paper questions and mark schemes can be found on OCR website and Geography SharePoint. Analysis and Evaluation: • Essay plans and paragraphs should be created for 16-mark and 33-mark essays. Look through model answers that have been given in lessons and check against mark schemes. • Use the booklet provided for 12-mark synoptic questions on SharePoint. Create essay plans and do practice questions.

Geology -

Use the course booklet (COURSE BOOKLET ) and OneNote. Construct flashcards / ChatGPT-generated multiple choice quizzes to test understanding. Booklet of revision papers to work through (electronic versions here: EASTER 2026 REVISION QUESTIONS) Lots of useful resources to aid revision (including answers to practise questions) on Sharepoint: EASTER REVISION

German Success in A-Level German depends on routine practice with vocabulary, grammar, translation, comprehension and speaking. Boys should work on these areas regularly, completing a mixture of short exercises, past papers and content revision. They have copies of Wort für Wort and Aktion Grammatik, which can be used for independent study. Additional resources are in OneNote and on Student Hub. Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Translation into English, 40% of the grade -

Timed past paper practice in exam conditions, then with a dictionary Redo questions that were difficult after a break of several days Four or more texts into English from the translation booklet each week Use the online platforms ZigZag eRevision and Boost for instant feedback Frequent exposure to current affairs (e.g. Deutsche Welle, Tagesschau, Presse und Sprache or anything else linked on Student Hub)

Paper 2: Writing (Translation into German, Film and Literature), 30% of the grade -

Four or more texts into German from the translation booklet each week Redraft previously corrected essays, making sure to act on feedback Create essay plans using previous exam questions and model essays Prepare paragraphs on characters, themes, technique and context Watch the film Das Leben der Anderen and add to existing notes Read the play Andorra (and the translation), and add to existing notes Work through the A-Level grammar revision booklet

Paper 3: Speaking, 30% of the grade – exam on Thursday 7th May -

Finalise a research statement, key findings and sources Finalise and learn a two-minute summary for the spoken presentation Prepare evidence and analysis in German for each key finding Practise discussing the topic with a family member, friend or chatbot Review and expand the Zahlen, Daten, Fakten booklet Review past speaking exam questions and record practice answers

Parents can help by asking their son to explain what he has read or listened to, and what new vocabulary he has acquired. Boys could also explain the key themes and characters from the set works and discuss the four course themes as well as their research project.

History A student’s work may consist of: -

Revising or producing essay plans.

Knowledge testing (tests, flashcards, etc).

Working with a partner via Teams or in-person to debate or collaborate on the above; and

Revisiting texts eg, textbook, timelines, scanned resources. The A-Level 2024-26 Team is a repository of all revision resources.

History of Art -

Boys have been told that the most effective way to revise for their A-Levels is to use knowledge, not merely to retain it. They have banks of questions for every unit at their disposal. Every revision slot should involve some form of writing: if untimed, this could be writing out essay introductions or paragraph topic sentences; revisiting and improving past work; filling in exercises in their Model Essay packs. Timed writing could include whole responses (the longest of which require 50 uninterrupted minutes of writing), but also shorter timed ‘chunks’ of 10 or 20 minutes (writing one or two paragraphs, or introductions, of long essays). Using question prompts as starting points, they will consolidate knowledge by choosing appropriate case studies or concepts. For knowledge retention and precision, they should use their paper resources in their folders, the lesson slides on Teams and the additional resources on the department’s SharePoint page: https://radleycollege.sharepoint.com/sites/HistArt I recommend they work, where possible, in a public area of the house (eg, dining room) where they can spread out their picture cards and notes to help organise their thinking.

Latin -

For Latin Language, focus on revising vocabulary using the John Taylor Prose vocabulary list, the John Taylor Verse vocabulary list, and the Leigh English-into-Latin vocabulary list. All of these are available on Quizlet. Alongside vocabulary, revise all grammar from the grammar summary at the back of the Leigh textbook. For Latin Literature, use a blank copy of the Latin text alongside the English translation to practise translating all sections of the set text. Revise the key analytical points for each passage using your notes and handouts, and review the main content points and supporting evidence for the 20-mark essay questions using the quotes handout. You should plan and complete practice 15-mark and 20mark responses, being strict on timings as you do so. Bring evidence of the following to the first lesson back: translation tests completed on all sections; at least 12 planned 15-mark responses on each text; at least five written 15-mark responses on each text; at least five planned 20-mark responses on each text; at least two written 20-mark responses on each text. For both Language and Literature, the most effective revision is little and often. Short, regular sessions, especially for vocabulary, grammar, and sections of the set text, are far more effective than trying to do large amounts all at once.

Maths Boys completed syllabus coverage earlier this term. Since then the approach has been two-pronged. Firstly boys have revised by using past papers and mark-schemes as a resource – both as tasks to be completed under test conditions, and also as general pieces of unsupervised practice. Having worked a paper they are then encouraged to look over their work with the mark-schemes, and identify areas for further study. Areas requiring further study can benefit from resources as identified below. -

There are many resources of sample papers. We do not advise boys to work recent papers from the exam board they are sitting as these will be used in class during the Summer Term. There are good resources on Madas Maths, Edexcel International A-Level, and Up Learn, to list just three. But boys will have their own preferred source.

Having identified areas for improvement, there are plenty of questions in their text books – particularly in the review exercises – alongside topic specific questions on Up Learn. Boys should use these resources to improve their understanding of these identified topics.

The general advice is first do a paper, and then mark it using the mark-scheme. Second review the questions where you had problems, and identify the topics that need further study. Third, do that study. Then tackle another paper.

Boys have been told specific papers to be completed towards the end of the holiday for their don to mark. Depending on the requirements of the don, these should either be uploaded to OneNote, or brought back as a hard copy for the don to mark at start of term.

Music -

Students must revise each of the set works using proactive strategies which include listening to each work (following the score), consolidating class notes, revising appropriate ‘wider listening’. Students should also write essay plans for each set work. Revision resources are available here: A Level Music

Physics Useful resources: A level Physics Online subscription purchased for students. Username: RCPD@radley.org.uk password: RCPD A level paper link AS paper link – used to revise for paper 1 We have now completed the course and students have been revising over the past half term. -

Students have completed past paper packs for all the topics in the course. The revision past paper packs completed the past term should be reviewed, another colour used to add corrections. Mark schemes available on the Leave26 OneNote

Paper 1 is generally easier than the other papers. Take time to review the topics individually in paper 1 and learn the key concepts and explanations. AS papers can also be found on the AQA website and be used to master answering paper 1 questions.

Topics in paper 1: mechanics, waves, quantum, particles, electricity, simple harmonic motion and circular motion.

Paper 2 has the more conceptually difficult content. It is important that you have a thorough understanding of the content before attempting past papers. Review each topic in detail and ensure you can use all the formula on the data booklet, especially how to use exponentials.

Topics in paper 2: thermal physics, capacitors, nuclear physics, g fields, E fields, Magnetic fields and induction

Paper 3 involves a practical paper, that can only be improved through practise. Also the Astrophysics optional paper. Use the three Astrophysics packs provided to ensure you are able to answer examination questions on the three areas: telescopes, stars and cosmology.

Students have been given two sets of past papers, June 2023 and the 2017 specimen paper. All the papers should be completed under timed conditions. Complete the 2017 specimen papers at the start of reviewing a paper, review the content and then complete the 2023 paper. Depending on your structure of revision it might be an idea to spend a week reviewing paper 1, then a week on paper 2 and the final week on paper 3.

Politics -

The best way for the boys to revise is to construct essay plans – they have the template for these plans – they can type them or hand write (whichever works better for them). They have a revision guide for each of the three exams – each of these contain a vast number of potential essay questions. To complete these plans they should primarily use their work booklet for each topic (there are 17 topics in total), but can also supplement this with the textbook and online resources. They must start with a question on which they are focused – first brainstorm (test what they know – no books; no notes); then plan with open book – then construct those essay plans. Please do ask your son over the Easter break to show you their essay plans. This process began in December, and the hope is that come April 15th they should have anywhere from 80 – 100 essay plans. Finally – sitting and counting how long you spent ‘revising’ is a waste of time. You must measure what you achieved by testing – at the start of every new revision session – ‘what can I recall from last time?’ You must expose the gaps you have – otherwise, you do not even know what you don’t know.

Spanish Success in A-Level Spanish depends on routine practice with vocabulary, grammar, translation, comprehension and speaking. Boys should work on these areas regularly, completing a mixture of translation exercises, past papers and content revision. They have copies of Palabra por Palabra, Acción Gramática can be found in the Library, and they have both hard and digital copies of the A Level Grammar Workbook.pdf , all of which can be used for independent study. Additional resources are available on Student Hub. Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Translation into English, 40% of the grade - Timed past paper practice in exam conditions, then with a dictionary: Past Papers and translation booklets - Redo questions that were difficult after a break of several days - Weekly translation practice using these: Translation booklets - Frequent exposure to current affairs (e.g. BBC News Mundo, 20minutos.es, News in Slow Spanish) Paper 2: Writing (Translation into Spanish, Film and Literature), 30% of the grade - Weekly translation practice using these: Translation booklets - Redraft previously corrected essays, making sure to act on feedback - Create essay plans using previous exam questions: essay titles .docx - Paper 2 Past Essay Titles.docx - Prepare paragraphs on characters, themes, technique and context - Rewatch the film Volver and add to existing notes - Reread the play La casa de Bernarda Alba (and the translation), and add to existing notes - Analyse model essays MODEL ESSAYS Paper 3: Speaking, 30% of the grade – exam on Thursday 7 May TASK 1 -

Learn key content for each subtheme using notes from class, A3 sheets, sessions with Paola, and the Content Booklets – collate all content here Task 1 revision sheet.docx Review past speaking exam questions using the Booklets and record practice answers (structuring every answer as Point, Evidence, Analysis, Conclusion) Practise embedding some Task 1 - Sophisticated Language.docx into every oral response

TASK 2 – Task 2 Oral Booklet for Students.docx - Finalise a research statement, key findings and sources - Finalise and learn a two-minute summary for the spoken presentation - Prepare evidence and analysis in Spanish for each key finding - Practise discussing the topic with a family member, friend or chatbot Parents can help by asking their son to explain what he has read or listened to, and what new vocabulary he has acquired. Boys could also explain the key themes and characters from the set works and discuss the four course themes as well as their research project.

Theology and Philosophy -

Students must take ownership of their notes for each topic in the course. It is recommended that their notes include detailed AO1 for scholars within each topic with tables of strengths and weaknesses for every theory/scholar. Students have revision guides in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics which should be used to ensure that their notes are thorough and have a range of scholars. The textbooks and PowerPoints can be used for the same goal. Students should practise making essay plans, with a thesis and three themes to explore. The best practice is essay writing in timed conditions, without notes. This is best achieved when the content is learned and essay plans have been practised. Example questions can be found in the OCR Sample Questions document on SharePoint. There are 70+ exemplar essays (A and A) on SharePoint, which can be used to steal arguments and see successful writing techniques.