Year 11 Induction Evening 2019

Year 11 Induction Evening Thursday 13th September 2018

Guidance for parents and students for the final months of GCSE preparation

Countdown to GCSEs The final countdown to GCSEs has started: the main written exams start on Monday 13th May 2018 with Computer Science and RS.

138 school days!

In school we are completing exam board specifications and starting exam preparation. Our next milestone is the first set of mock exams which take place between 1st October and 17 th October. (Mocks 2 are 14th January to 30th January).

From this point onwards students need to be taking responsibility for their homework, revision and exam preparation. It will make a massive difference to GCSE results.

Key Dates for Year 11 students and parents 13 September

Year 11 Induction Evening

1-17 October

Mock exams 1

2 November

Year 11 report sent home (DC1)

8 November

Year 11 Parents’ Evening 4pm – 7pm

19 December

All college applications submitted online

14-30 January

Mock exams 2

8 February

Year 11 report sent home (DC2)

22 March

Final report sent home (DC3)

28 March

Year 11 Parents’ Evening 4pm – 7pm

1-3 April

GCSE French orals

13 May

Main written GCSE exams start

28 June

Official leaving date for Year 11 students

22nd August

GCSE results day.

On the Day of an Exam

o No late night before. o Check exam timetables for start times and revision sessions. o Make sure your child gets up early. o Make sure they have a good breakfast. o Check they have the right equipment. o Wish them luck and be positive.

After an exam

o Ask your child how the exam went. o Don’t spend too long going over the exam. o Allow time to relax and unwind. o Try to focus your child on their next exam. They can’t now change the exam they’ve done, but they can still change the outcome of future exams.

When do Year 11 students leave school?

Official Leaving date for all Year 11s in England is the last Friday in June (28th June 2019) and GCSE exams are scheduled up to this date.

Results Day – 22nd August 2019 o School will be open from 9.30am. o Students will collect an envelope which contains a summary of their results. o Students will have a short interview with a senior member of staff to ensure that they understand their results, to congratulate them and to confirm their destinations data. o Colleges will be in touch about enrolment arrangements.

Every second counts…

The Sports Analogy: When England last won the rugby world cup in 2003, their coach – Sir Clive Woodward – drilled them with one mantra:

T-CUP

Thinking Correctly Under Pressure Our Year 11 students are now “in training for their GCSEs”.

The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.

- Muhammad Ali Relying on the input from school is not enough.

Students also need to put in the work at home.

Successful Revision o Organise your time and work. o Learn the subject content. o Apply what you have learned.

Organise  Learn  Apply o Start early – preparation is essential. o Ensure no vital work is missing. o List of essential topics – if you don’t know these ask your teacher. o Revision Timetable – sample in your pack. o Revise in short bursts. o Stick to the timetable. o Clear yourself a space to revise.

Organise  Learn  Apply There are many different revision methods: o o o o o o o o o

Get rid of all technology.

Produce Trigger diagrams.

Use colour.

Organise your sheets/Cards in exactly the same order and look at them in the same order each time.

Write facts on Index Cards or post it notes to make flashcards.

Read to a voice recorder or video.

Make Spider Diagrams / Flow Charts / Drawings / Mind Maps.

Websites and apps- Scholastic Revision Identify what you don’t know and revise this.

In the beginning, it will feel like this.

But do it right, and this is where you will end up.

Organise ďƒœ Learn ďƒœ Apply Exams will test: o Knowledge o Understanding o Evaluation As well as learning the work, students need to be able to apply this in the exam.

Past exam papers are good way to get ready for the exam and to check for remaining gaps in knowledge and understanding.

Successful Revision o Organise your time and work. o Learn the subject content. o Apply what you have learned.

How to cope in the coming months o o o o o o o o

Be positive.

Be realistic.

Don’t stop all leisure activities.

Your child will need to relax and unwind especially before going to bed.

Help them talk about their feelings.

Make sure there is a quiet area for them to revise.

Take an interest in what they are doing and ask questions. This shows you are interested but also helps them learn.

Reward your child – a favourite meal, choice of TV programme etc. Rewards don’t have to cost money!

Common Reasons for Stress Common reasons for stress amongst students preparing for exams include: o o o o o o

Fear of failure Overwork Loneliness Pressure Boredom Guilt

Beating Stress o o o o o o o

Establish a routine Start revision early Make a revision timetable Take regular breaks Exercise and relaxation Variety Friends

o The school counsellor can work with a couple of students at a time to help them manage stress. She can also do hypnotherapy. Look at the school website for a recording of a relaxation aid

CEIAG

Careers Education Advice and Guidance The school website ‘Fast Tomato’ during Year 10.

Taster Days – Year 10 Support in PSHE lessons Visiting speakers in assemblies (colleges/ apprenticeships) Lunchtime drop-in sessions September/ October; 1:1 meeting with Mrs Long for all Year 11 students o Additional targeted sessions will be arranged in response to students’ needs o o o o o o o

Mrs Long’s contact details jlong@ashtoncsc.com 01772 513002 ext. 287

Important Dates for Year 11 Monday 15th October - Statutory 1:1 Careers Appointments with Mrs Long commence Wednesday 31st October - Deadline for informing Mrs Long what you intend to apply for, so you can be invited to the appropriate masterclasses, Monday 5th November - College Application Masterclasses commence Wednesday 14th November – ASK Apprenticeship Workshop – 2:40 to 3:40pm End of November – BAE Apprenticeship Online Applications commence Thursday 20th December 2018 - College Application deadline During October and November Colleges and Training Providers will speak in Year 11 Assemblies

Our school website has plenty of useful information that you can use with your teenagers.

Including: Links to all of the local Colleges and Specialist Training Providers If your son/daughter is considering University the links to UCAS – University and College Admissions Service Alongside useful information for parents from the National Careers Service Apprenticeship Fairs and Higher Education Fairs are also advertised.

Runshaw College Hold three Open Events each year The first will be on Saturday 22nd September 11am to 3pm

BAE Systems Apprentices Open House apprentice recruitment event at Preston North End (Invincible and Guild Lounge) Monday 14th January 2019 Open to all ages and pre-booking not required. Photographic ID is required for all attending

@ashton_Careers We now post vacancies on our Facebook page and stream live Apprenticeship vacancies on the School Website If you would like to accompany your son/daughter during their careers appointment, please contact Mrs Long.

Mrs Long’s contact details jlong@ashtoncsc.com 01772 513002 ext. 287

Finally‌

Good luck to all our students and their families.

May 13th seems a long way off, but the journey to success is already well underway!