Year 11 Student & Parent Revision Guide November 2018

Revision Tips, Techniques and Information for Parents & Students

Contents General Advice for Parents What Exactly is Revision?

Learning Styles and Revision Techniques Techniques to support dealing with examination stress Year 11 Key Dates & Contacts Year 11 Autumn Practice Examination Timetable Subject Specific Revision Advice Useful Websites College Open Days and Contact Information 2018 - 2019

Year 11 Booklet November 2018

Page 1 Page 4 Page 7 Page11 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 33 Page 34

GENERAL ADVICE FOR PARENTS Partnership Of School, Students & Home Tarleton Academy facilitates year on year success for its students due to nurturing them and their hard work, and through the guidance and expertise of the teaching and support staff.

This co-operation is only part of the success, and we recognise that the support and encouragement from parents is crucial in ensuring that every child achieves the very best of which they are capable.

Parental support is eight times more important to academic success than social class or family wealth, according to research by the Campaign for Learning and published in the Times Education Supplement.

We as a school, seek to offer, in addition to the individualised approach to teaching within lessons: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Targeted intervention within the classroom.

Regular and targeted homework, developing recall and key skills.

Revision material available for purchase or freely available on firefly.

Exam-style questions available from teachers.

Targeted coaching sessions.

Timely guidance and focus with Heads of House regarding revision and exam skills.

Personal tutor system, with guidance and support from dedicated staff.

Regular assessments and feedback from teachers with targets for future improvement.

Shared details of useful websites.

Homework club.

Personal guidance available from PDC. Recognising excellent work and effort through the merit and reward system.

So, What Can Parents Do To Focus Their Support For Their Child?

You are the expert on your child and always have been, you are their life-long and most important teacher. Your support and encouragement will make a tremendous difference to their capacity to achieve. You do not need to be an expert in any of their subjects to be of help, though this booklet will detail where you can help them with individual subjects as well, if you feel you are able. But guiding them and advising them, and looking after them at this crucial time is no different to what you have been doing for the past 16 years - we think of this as ‘ASPIRE’ to success: A = Attendance If your child achieved 90% in an exam or an assessment, we would all (quite rightly) be delighted.

However, 90% attendance at school, means they are missing one in every ten days.

This would translate to four weeks out of one academic year.

If this trend were typical throughout years 7-11, this would be approximately one half of a school year missed.

1

Attendance %

Approximate number of days missed

100

0

95

10

90

20

85

30

80

40

Family holidays should be kept to scheduled school holiday dates.

Wherever possible, hospital and dental appointments should be out of school hours. Where this is not possible, school expects that every effort is made to get your child back into school as soon as possible that day, or to leave school as late as possible before attending the appointment.

Essentially - every minute in school counts.

S = Sleep Teenagers need to sleep in order to fully function and make the most of their time in school.

Late bed times mean lost time the next day as students are not working at their capacity.

Mobile devices being used late into the night should, wherever possible, be discouraged, so that a good night’s sleep (8hours) can be achieved.

Time lost can never be made up.

P = Praise Everybody likes to be praised, so praise their efforts in completing homework and getting on with their revision.

Discuss their work in school and praise their achievements.

This is always more productive than ‘nagging’ and one of the most effective ways of avoiding confrontation.

I = Interest Teenagers may appear to want you to show little interest in what they are doing, but in reality, they will.

Look through their books and folders with them, discuss the work and how they feel they are doing.

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R = Routines Establish routines at home (times for revision, mealtimes, homework, relaxation, socialising) - these will help to create a secure framework within which your child can achieve.

Students with part-time jobs should be applauded, though parents ought to be mindful of the numbers of hours spent. Earning potential in adult life is significantly influenced by the level of academic success achieved, so earning now at the expense of studying and revising, could be costly in the long run.

E = Environment & Equipment Helping your child to create a ‘workspace’ at home that is quiet, organised and free from distractions, such as social media, will be of enormous benefit.

Recommended general equipment: • Pens, pencil, scissors, paper, glue • Post-it-notes • Coloured pens • Highlighters • Dictionary • Revision guides • Food & drink (fruit, water not fizzy or energy drinks)

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What Exactly Is Revision?

It means going over previous work on a regular basis: •

to remind you of all the things you have forgotten;

•

to make links with other learning to see the bigger picture; to reinforce learning; to check understanding; to remind you of what you already know.

Why is it so important?

•

It reduces panic;

•

It means that their exam results will show what they can (and did) do, not what they didn’t;It helps identify problem areas;It will improve their results;It is ever more important with the new, more challenging GCSEs, where there is no element of coursework to rely on.

How should your child be preparing for revision?

•

They should, by now, have crafted a revision timetable - they will have been given blank copies if they wanted them by their Head of House.They should be planning what they intend to cover between now and their mock exams in December - beginning w/c Monday 10th December.

•

They should know which topics are going to be covered in the exam, and if they are unsure, should seek clarity from their teacher.

•

They should factor in any major family commitments between now and the mock exams, and account for these in their planning.

•

Make a realistic timetable - one they know they can stick to.

•

Factor in rest-breaks - 40 mins is about the maximum concentration span (for some this will be shorter to be effective).

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Examples Of Revision Timetables

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How much time should they be spending revising?

•

During this build up to the exams, we would expect that your child is completing two hours of revision each school day, with considerably more at the weekends.

•

Their social-life, whilst important, must be balanced by a sensible approach to the significant demands of their studies.

•

Many students feel they don’t have enough time - so solutions need to be thought through. The journey to school on the bus, or walking, could be an opportunity to listen to a pod-cast, for example.

•

In the build-up to exams, getting up half an hour earlier in the morning could enable some revision before school.

Rewards are important •

It’s important that rewards are built in to revision time - a trip to the cinema, a planned game of football, a shopping visit whatever.

How do they actually revise?

•

Understand it - do they know the syllabus and topics they need to revise?

•

Condense it - they need to take a lot of information and reduce it down - making key notes on topics, so that just key words prompt them to remember chunks of knowledge.

•

Repeat it - they need to go over and over material again and again - this is the point where learning essentially stops being ‘fun’ and comes down to sheer effort and perseverance.

•

Review it - they need to test themselves to see that the information is firmly in their long-term memory and understanding.

•

Rehearse it - practice their knowledge with specific exam-style questions.

General Revision Methods •

Heads of Houses have been reviewing revision techniques with your child on a weekly basis since returning to school this year.

•

Revision is a very individual thing - your child will need to decide for themselves the style that best suits them, and the kind of ‘learner’ they are.

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LEARNING STYLES AND REVISION TECHNIQUES Kinaesthetic Learners These learners best achieve through doing things.

Making flash-cards - where they summarise a topic, using approx 20% of the original information).

Or make key word cards – they could test themselves on the definitions of the words, sort them into categories etc.

They might also act something out, make their own PowerPoint or play a revision game.

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They might decide to try the ‘loci’ method: This method is where they would take a familiar environment to them - say their bedroom and would associate objects in that room with a particular aspect of a topic. For example, they may be revising ‘Macbeth’ - their door is associated with his first appearance in battle, the bed is associated with his first meeting the witches, the TV is associated with his first thoughts of treachery etc etc. This method is sometimes thought to be quite an obscure one, but many people find it helpful.

Auditory Learners These students learn well by listening.

• Make up mnemonics, rhymes; • Create a podcast and listen; • Test themselves or friends; • Be the teacher – teach someone else something they’re revising; • Raps, rhyme, chants and verse, dramatic readings; • Music for energising, relaxing visualising and reviewing.

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Mnemonics example:

Explaining to others:

Visual Learners These students learn well by seeing/looking at things.

Making mind-maps of information:

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Create a ‘graphic organiser’ where they place information together in diagram-format:

Match-card sort: •

Stick post-it notes around the room with key words

•

Colour code key information

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TECHNIQUES TO SUPPORT DEALING WITH EXAMINATION STRESS Technique

What does this technique involve?

Relax yourself

Give yourself permission to relax and take the time to do things you enjoy and that relax you. Schedule time on a regular basis for these activities.

Take mini-breaks

Take a few moments out of your day on a regular basis to close your eyes, breathe deeply and slowly with a smile on your face.

Do something active

Exercise can help get rid of stress so make time to do active things like playing sport or going for a walk.

Spend time with people Spending time with other people makes you feel happier! whose company you enjoy Give a friend a call or see people you like on a regular basis.

Positive self-talk

Talk positively to yourself and watch out for negative thoughts – immediately replace them with positive ideas.

Friends and family

Rather than take out your frustrations on the people closest to you, talk to them and tell them what you are feeling.

Get organised

Develop a daily schedule of activities that is realistic and achievable. Make a daily to-do list. Identify your priorities and what is most important to you and stick to your list.

Write down your thoughts

Laugh out loud

Deal with anger

Breathe deeply

Use a journal, write a letter to yourself or to someone else (and you don’t even have to post it). You could also send an email or write a list of what is bothering you – getting your thoughts down on paper helps!

Look for opportunities in your day to laugh and to smile. Be around people who are happy and positive rather than misery-guts. Do things that make you laugh like watching a comedy.

Express your anger in a healthy way: talk to someone about how you are feeling, write in a journal, express yourself through art, punch a pillow, find somewhere where no-one is around and scream out loud, do some vigorous exercise, write a letter (don’t post it) Imagine there is a balloon in your stomach. As you inhale you fill it up, when you exhale you deflate the balloon. Your chest and shoulders should not be a part of the process – they should be relaxed. Ensure you breathe slowly and smoothly.

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Feel good about yourself and your achievements! Reward yourself for the things you do and look for your positive qualities and strengths – give yourself encouragement. Take Celebrate yourself pride in yourself and your skills and abilities. Accept yourself for who you are and what you are and set realistic expectations for yourself.

Stop thinking of things in terms of success and failure. When Cross the word ‘failure’ out things don’t go the way you want, instead think of what you of the dictionary can learn from the experience and what steps you will take next to move towards your goal.

Try different forms of meditation and relaxation until you find Meditation and relaxation ones that suit you – but be patient, it takes practice to be able exercises to switch off your brain and relax. Headspace website.

Use visualisations

Create positive mental movies in your mind of how you would like things to be and imagine these as vividly and regularly as possible.

Useful contacts: Wellbeing, Prevention and Early Help Service Leyland Youth Zone, West Paddock, PR25 1HR Tel: 01772 426850 - 426858 Talk Zone: The Line Freephone Service 0800 511 111 open 2pm – 10pm 365 days a year Text: 07786511111 Webtalk/Q2A: or visit our website www.lancashire.gov.uk/yps

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Key Dates Thursday 29th November 2018

Year 11 Subject Consultation Evening

6th December – 18th December 2018

1st Practice Examinations

Friday 25th January 2019

Full Report to Parents

Thursday 7th March 2019

Year 11 Subject Consultation Evening

25th March – 4th April 2019

2nd Practice Examinations

Friday 3rd May 2019

Year 11 Data Reports to Parents

May 2019

Summer Exam Series

Thursday 22nd August 2019

GCSE Results Day

Key Contacts: Academic queries please contact the appropriate Head of House; Daley – Mrs Staniforth j.staniforth@tarletonacademy.org Ennis – Mr Fletcher j.fletcher@tarletonacademy.org Farah – Mrs Lowe j.lowe@tarletonacademy.org Wiggins – Mr Taylor j.taylor@tarletonacademy.org Pastoral queries please contact the Personal & Behaviour Manager; Mrs J Fairhurst j.fairhurst@tarletonacademy.org

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14 MUSIC 1HR20

20th December

Thursday

19th December

Wednesday

18th December

ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1HR45

MATHS Paper 3 1HR30

RE Paper 2 1HR DANCE 1HR30

COMPUTER SCIENCE Paper 2 1HR

DRAMA Practical 3Hr

17th December

Tuesday

FOOD Group 1 2HR

ART ALL DAY

ART ALL DAY

RE Paper 1 2HR

COMPUTER SCIENCE Paper 1 1HR

GEOGRAPHY Paper 1 1HR30

Hall - Clear Performance

GEOGRAPHY Paper 2 1HR30

DRAMA Written 1HR45

FOOD Group 2 2HR

HISTORY Paper 2 1HR45

DRAMA continued

ART ALL DAY

ART ALL DAY

Writing 1HR20

SPANISH & GERMAN

SCIENCE 1HR30

MATHS Paper 2 1HR30

HISTORY Paper 1 1HR15

12.10pm-1.10pm

MATHS Paper 1 1HR30

11.10am-12.10pm

P4

Hall - Performance Prep

9.50am-10.50am

8.45am-9.50am

P3

ENGLISH LITERATURE 2HR

P2

P1

Monday

14th December

Friday

13th December

Thursday

12th December

Wednesday

11th December

Tuesday

10th December

Monday

7th December

Friday

6th December

Thursday

Day

Yr 11 Practice Exams Autumn Timetable 2018

2.15pm-3.15pm

P5

Listening -50m

SPANISH

Listening -50m

GERMAN

ART ALL DAY

ART ALL DAY

PE 1HR

GERMAN Reading -1HR

SPANISH Reading - 1HR

Hall - Performance Prep

Hall - Performance Prep

1.50pm-2.15pm

Pm Reg

SUBJECT SPECIFIC REVISION ADVICE Subject: Art & Design

Exam Board: AQA

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: Art & Design Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams: Students in Art sit a practical examination only. This consists of 75% preparatory work and 25% final exam piece. Therefore, revision is not required, however, thorough preparatory work for the exam is vital. Prior to this examination students have had 12 weeks (during lessons and homework) to complete a sketchbook of preparatory work. This should include: 1. Research and analysis of the work of at least 2 artists 2. First hand photography relating to their chosen direction within the theme ‘People and Places’.

3. A wide range of Observational drawings 4. Developmental work showing artists influence combined with the students own work 5. Design ideas for final exam piece 6. Annotations throughout their sketchbook showing ideas, developmental comments and intentional 7. A small practice version of the intended exam piece.

What you can do to help your child with Art and Design GCSE: • • • • • •

Ask your child to discuss their exam project theme and encourage them to share how they might develop their own ideas relating to this.

Facilitate the opportunity for your child to collect primary research (photographs) this may be an ideal opportunity for a family day out together.

Provide them with the equipment/materials needed in order to complete art work at home. (Reduced price Art packs are available from school, purchased vis the cashless system).

Any possibility to view the work of other artists is extremely valuable. Visiting an art gallery can inspire them and provide research for their project work. It also widens their understanding of various types of Art and Design.

Check they have done their homework- ask them what they have achieved in that piece of work.

Don’t let them throw any artwork away because they ‘don’t like it’, experimentation is key and marks are awarded for all work that is evidence of this.

What your child can do to help themselves: • • • •

Maintain a good work rate outside of lessons – a couple of hours a week should be spent to at home developing your art examination project Collect LOTS of firsthand primary research relating to your theme such as photographs, you can print out and use in your work Use Pinterest to collect ideas for your work – this is a great source of inspiration!

Make through use of your exam support booklet and check list, sticking to interim deadlines 15

• • • •

Make use of the examples of previous students work on Firefly Use Firefly resources to support your written work and analysis of artist’s work Use social media and the internet to find out as much as you can about your chosen artist’s work Plan ahead of your exam and ensure you are organised with all the art materials you need.

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Subject: Computer Science

Exam Board: OCR

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: Computer Science Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams Paper 1 1.1 System Architecture 1.2 Memory 1.3 Secondary Storage 1.4 Wired and Wireless Networks What you can do to help your child with Computer Science GCSE: • • • • • • •

Ask your child to discuss their programming project and encourage them to share how they might have developed their solution.

Using the knowledge organiser produced by the teacher ensure your child is recapping the different topics by testing them with questions.

Provide them with the equipment/materials needed to revise outside the classroom.

(Revision guides and workbooks are available from school, purchased via the cashless system).

Any possibility to view the work that they have produced in their online workbooks is extremely valuable. This is available on Google Classroom and discussion and questioning can help test your child’s knowledge.

Allow your child time and space to complete practice exam papers, using the mark schemes go through the answers with your child.

Encourage your child to attend intervention on a Monday night in school especially in the run up to exam series.

Regularly test your child with the ‘Quizlet’ sets produced by the teacher and key word definitions produced by Craig ‘n’ Dave, these can be accessed outside of school on Google Classroom.

What your child can do to help themselves: • • • • • • • • •

Use a revision guide and revision workbook as recommended to further consolidate their learning.

Use the knowledge organiser provided by the teacher to read through units of work covered in exam papers 1 and 2.

Using Google Classroom to attempt a range of exam papers and use the mark schemes to self-assess their work.

Use the ‘Quizlet’ materials produced by the teacher to interactively assess their knowledge of the units of work covered in exam papers 1 and 2.

Recap their electronic class note booklet of all the topics covered in the specification.

Download Python and practice their programming skills in preparation for completing the programming project.

Using Google Classroom and attempt the end of topic tests and use the mark schemes to self-assess their work.

Use the Craig ‘n’ Dave videos and flash cards and keywords definitions which cover the whole specification to consolidate topics which they do not fully understand.

Attend the Monday night intervention sessions which have been running since early September to seek support in exam preparation.

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Subject: Drama

Exam Board: AQA

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: Drama Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams Component 1: Section A: Section B: Section C:

Understanding Drama (written paper) Theatre roles and terminology ‘Blood Brothers’ play text by Willy Russell Response to live theatre performance, chosen production is ‘Tin Drum’ by Knee High Theatre Company.

What you can do to help your child with Drama GCSE: • • • • • •

Ask them to explain the key characters and themes from the set text to you explaining things to others in a certain way of underpinning existing learning.

Any possibility of attending a theatre production of the set text (‘Blood Brothers’ by Willy Russell), or any production, to help the child appreciate theatre craft.

Encourage post-production discussion to analyse and evaluate plot, character, themes, theatre style and content.

If possible, practice a script with your child in preparation for the visiting examiner in ‘Texts in Practice’ unit.

Check they have done their homework - ask them what they have achieved in that piece of work.

If possible, share some reading time with them on the set text - ask them to explain what they have read and how it relates to the wider plot of the text.

What your child can do to help themselves: • • • • • •

Re-read the set text, making revision notes and using firefly resources, to deepen understanding of the playwright’s intentions, social, historical and political factors, plot, themes and characters.

Create a detailed character profile for each of the main characters in the set text, with three quotations for each one (from the three different time periods the play spans), complete with brief explanation as to how each of these summarise the character.

Learn scripted lines as soon as possible.

Use practice exam papers available on firefly - ask your teacher to mark them.

Use resources for Kneehigh Theatre Company’s production ‘Tin Drum’ in preparation for written exam.

Use a revision guide to support your learning of the course and set text.

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Subject: English Language

Exam Board: EDUQAS

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: English Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams Reading of 20th Century fiction - this section of the exam will be 1 hour.

Narrative writing - this section of the exam will be 45 minutes What you can do to help your child with English Language GCSE: •

• •

• • •

If possible, have a dictionary and thesaurus at home and encourage your child to use both of them when reading (to explain words they don’t understand) and also to check spellings. A thesaurus can assist with them developing their vocabulary – looking for more ambitious words, which will help in their English Language exam.

Encourage wider reading at home – of quality newspapers and fiction also. Quality short stories will help for the narrative writing part of their exam.

Be checking that they have done the homework that is set – ask them about the work they have done, get them to talk you through what they have written, or read – research shows that ‘teaching others’ is an excellent way of cementing learning.

Discuss current topics and issues in the news – this will help with their reading and writing sections of their exam.

Encourage your child to proof-read their work, so that they are trained in spotting errors for themselves.

Look on firefly to identify up-coming pieces of work that your child can plan for and ensure they are well organised for their studies.

What your child can do to help themselves: • • •

Use www.vocabulary.com to develop your academic word-bank for writing.

Use the material put on to firefly to help you – there are lots of PowerPoints on each of the key aspects of the course.

Use www.bbc.com/bitesize/examspecs/zpxh82p to review hints and tips for your English Language exam (the Eduqas section).

Also read the ‘Review – Practise – Check’ table on the next page.

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Review Practice Mindmap the successful Practise writing under timed ingredients of a piece of conditions – you need to be creative writing able to write a short story of 450-600 words in 50 minutes Create mind maps of and two pieces of transactional ambitious vocabulary writing (letter, leaflet etc) in one hour Read passages from novels and write yourself a series of Utilize Firefly for past questions about how the writer transactional writing tasks and has created atmosphere and give yourself 30 minutes to character complete them

Check Compare your practice exam responses to exemplar materials from your teachers/Firefly

Find two articles written on the same topic or event and identify similarities and differences.

Look over your work for with a dictionary at hand for spelling, punctuation and grammar errors – correct them in red pen and get somebody to test you on key spellings

Look through past narrative writing titles on Firefly or ask your teacher – plan your story and give yourself 45 minutes to complete it

Create flash cards for the techniques that enable you to Complete past papers on critically analyse other writing: Firefly for reading DAFOREST. Use Vocabulary.com to Use the revision guides develop your academic word available from school to make bank for writing a list of ‘I need to remember to…’ points for each section of Answer questions from the your exams revision guides recommended by school – especially the Use the material on to Firefly SPAG one for writing to help you create revision prompts – there are lots of ppts on each of the key aspects of the course

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Ask your teacher to look over past questions you have completed and offer suggestions for improvement Ask a parent or guardian to proof read your writing

Subject: English Literature

Exam Board: EDUQAS

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: English Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams: Macbeth - this section of the exam will be 1 hour.

Poetry Anthology - this section of the exam will be 1 hour What you can do to help your child with English Literature GCSE: • Ask them to explain the key characters and themes from each of their set texts to you – explaining things to others is a certain way of underpinning existing learning.

• If possible, have copies of the film version of the key texts, and watch this with your child, and discuss the content and their opinions on the plot and how the characters are presented.

• Ask them to summarise each of the key poems to you and identify why they thought the poet wrote it and what their message is.

• Any possibility of attending a theatre production of the plays that have been read would be extremely useful.

• Check they have done their homework – ask them to explain what they achieved in that piece of work.

• If possible, share some reading time with them of the set texts – ask them to explain what they have read and how it relates to the wider plot of the text.

What your child can do to help themselves: • Helpful websites are: sparknotes, cliffnotes, quizlet, memrise & BBC bitesize.

Also read the ‘Review – Practise – Check’ table on the next page.

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Review Re-read the poems from the anthology, making revision notes with eight key quotations for each poem as a minimum, write questions to be able to test yourself on Create SMILE revision templates for each poem Watch you-tube videos of the poems being read and explored Re-read your three set texts ensure you have revision notes for each key character and key theme, with ten quotations to support each one - tracing it from the start to the end of the text. Again, write yourself a set of questions on each character/theme

Practice Check Use practice exam papers Ask your teacher to look over available on firefly or ask your your practice answers and teachers make suggestions for improvement Use knowledge organisers to note down key information on Self-assess against past set texts – ask your teacher if exemplar responses or AO unsure where to find these or criteria about how to make your own Check your knowledge Make use of Quizlet by organiser notes against your looking up your set texts and revision notes – use a having a go at the quizzes different coloured pen to add in anything that you missed Use quizzes on BBC Bitesize when practising

You could record your revision notes audibly, so you can play them to yourself at spare moments - on the bus, in the car etc.

Choose a passage from any of your set texts, and analyse how the writer has presented that episode - use SKALLE to help you annotate it, highlight and make notes.

Use a revision guides as well as materials given to you by your class teacher to create flash cards, mind maps and quizzes Watch film versions or youtube clips of key scenes/sections from set texts 22

Subject: Food Preparation & Nutrition

Exam Board: AQA

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: Food Preparation & Nutrition Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams: -

Macro and Micro Nutrients Personal hygiene and safety Special dietary needs of the elderly Dietary fibre Function of ingredients in shortcrust pastry Sauce making and gelatinisation Raising agents Organic food and drink choices Genetically modified foods Processing milk Food Additives.

What you can do to help your child with Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE: • •

• • • • • •

Discuss the AQA NEA2 question topics with your child.

One of the following is to be completed by February half term:Plan, prepare, cook and present a range of dishes that meet the nutritional needs and appeal to teenagers. Or Plan, prepare, cook and present a range of dishes that are a good source of protein and suitable for a vegan.

Ensure your child is fully equipped with ingredients for all of the practical trials as these all go towards the exam NEA which is 35% of their GCSE. Encourage your child to practice their cooking skills at home. They must understand their recipe before coming into the kitchen.

Ensure your child researches the chosen topic and researches recipes that show a high level of skill.

Encourage your child to use their CPG revision book and question book to revise the theory element of the course (written exam is 50%).

Encourage your child to complete past questions as set.

Encourage your child to read the AQA Illuminate digital bundle. User name STARL3 password STUDENT3.

What your child can do to help themselves: • • • • • •

Ensure deadlines are met for NEA 2.

Choose recipes that show your high level of skill.

Make sure you practice at home and understand the recipe before the lesson.

Maintain a calm, organised, efficient approach to your work remembering that presentation is also very important Research your chosen topic (nutritional needs of teenagers or protein dishes suitable for a vegan.)

Ensure every minute counts when writing up your work in class.

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• • •

Use your CGP revision guide and question books to strengthen subject knowledge Practice past papers to improve exam technique.

Use the AQA Illuminate digital bundle to strengthen subject knowledge user name (STARL3) password (STUDENT3)

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Subject: Humanities

Exam Boards: History - Pearson/ Edexcel, Geography - AQA, RE – EDUQAS/WJEC

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: Humanities Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams: Geography Paper 1 – This will be a full paper on physical Geography. Revision should therefore be on natural hazards, climate change, ecosystems, river and coasts.

Paper 2 - As we haven’t covered all elements of paper 2 and 3 yet the second practice exam paper will be a 1 hour exam with a mixture of questions. There will some questions on the challenges in the urban environment (Rio, London and Nigeria case studies) as well as some questions on their River Dunsop and Liverpool fieldwork.

History Paper 1 – Medicine in Britain c.1250-present: the British sector of the Western Front, 191418: injuries, treatment and the trenches Paper 2 – The American West c.1835-95 AND Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588 RE Paper 1 – Issues of Relationships; Life after Death; Issues of Good and Evil; Issues of Human Rights Paper 2 – Study of Christianity: Beliefs, Teachings and Practices

What you can do to help your child in the Humanities Subjects: •

•

• •

•

Encourage students to talk about what they have learnt in History, Geography and RE. Get them to teach you what they have learnt during the day or about the topics that you know they have been studying. Ask questions to encourage them to develop their knowledge – how do we know that? What evidence is there to back that up?

Why did/does that happen?

Watch related films and television programmes together. For History, watch ‘Dances with Wolves’, ‘How the West was won’, Elizabeth: The Golden Age’, ‘The Nazis: a warning from History’: for Geography watch ‘The Impossible’, Andrew Marr’s ‘Megacities’: for RE watch ‘A short stay in Switzerland’, ‘Dead man walking’, ‘Let him have it’ and look out for debates on key issues covered in the syllabus on Newsnight, Check that they have done the homework that is set on Firefly – ask them about the work they have done, get them to talk you through what they have written, or read.

Use the resources section on Firefly for each subject where you will find revision materials on most topics. Where teachers have used Google Classroom refer to that too.

Encourage your son/daughter to start producing revision materials like flash cards NOW. Do not let them wait until May to do this.

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• •

•

Encourage them to take the practice exams seriously. It is not an opportunity to see how they would do if they did no revision!

Make sure that you know the topics covered in each of the Humanities subjects your son/daughter studies. What are the case studies in Geography? What are the key topics for each paper in History and RE? You should find these on the curriculum page of the school website as well as from asking your son/daughter.

Add the dates of each of their practice exam papers to your family calendar/joint phone calendars. Do the same with the dates for the actual exam papers as soon as you know them.

What your child can do to help themselves:

• • • • • • • • • •

Review what you have learnt in your Humanities lessons on a daily and weekly basis – five minutes spent reviewing what you have done during each day’s lesson will help you to consolidate your learning.

Produce revision materials as you go along: DON’T wait until May to start this process.

Use the recommended revision guides Have a go at any past exam questions you have been given by your teacher or that you find in your revision guides. Your teacher will always give you feedback on them BBC Bitesize has been refreshed and updated and is an extremely useful revision tool.

Practise past papers/exam questions and pay attention to the feedback that your teacher gives you.

Use the material available on Firefly to help you in the ‘Resources’ section. Where teachers have set up Google Classroom use that too.

Find a ‘study buddy’ who you trust so that even the most obvious questions you might ask are answered in a non-judgmental way Set up a WhatsApp group or equivalent with like-minded students that is dedicated solely to your studies.

If you like watching films and clips on YouTube, ask your teacher to recommend some. Talk to them and your fellow students about what you have watched.

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Subject: Mathematics

Exam Board: Pearson Edexcel

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: Maths Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams: Due to the nature of the subject the Maths practice paper will require revision of all topics covered throughout Years 10 & Year 11.

What you can do to help your child in with Maths: •

• • • •

Ensure that your child is equipped with all the correct Maths equipment. This includes a compass, protractor, ruler, and a scientific calculator – we recommend the Casio fx-83 GT plus.

Log on to Firefly to ensure that homework tasks are completed.

Ask your child to log on to Hegarty and view their analytical homepage to monitor their progress.

Encourage your child to find strategies to check their own work and check that they always show all of their working out.

Maintain a positive attitude about Maths with your child and encourage them to build their confidence.

What your child can do to help themselves: • • • • • •

Bring all equipment every Maths lesson.

Use Hegarty Maths for revision and support.

Use topics from Pinpoint as topics for revision including making use of Pinpoint online with personalised logins.

Revise topics that are found to be difficult rather than focusing on topics they can do.

Time yourself answering Maths questions aiming to be working at a pace of approximately one mark per minute.

Practise problem solving questions.

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Subject: Modern Foreign Languages

Exam Board: Pearson Edexcel

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: MFL Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams: Topics Covered (This may differ for German/Spanish, depending on what your teacher has covered) Theme: Identity and culture • Who am I?: relationships; when I was younger; what my friends and family are like; what makes a good friend; interests; socialising with friends and family; role models • Daily life: customs and everyday life; food and drink; shopping; social media and technology (use of, advantages and disadvantages) • Cultural life: celebrations and festivals; reading; music; sport; film and television Theme: Local area, holiday and travel • Holidays: preferences; experiences; and destinations • Travel and tourist transactions: travel and accommodation; asking for help and dealing with problems; directions; eating out; shopping • Town, region and country: weather; places to see; things to do Theme: School • What school is like: school types; school day; subjects; rules and pressures; celebrating success • School activities: school trips; events; exchanges Theme: Future aspirations, study and work • Using languages beyond the classroom: forming relationships; travel; employment • Ambitions: further study; volunteering; training • Work: jobs; careers; professions Theme: International and global dimension • Bringing the world together: sports events; music events; campaigns and good causes • Environmental issues: being ‘green’; access to natural resources What you can do to help your child in German and Spanish: • • •

•

Encourage students to talk about the themes and topics they have covered in German or Spanish Check on Firefly to ensure your child has completed any homework tasks set Actively support your child in learning vocabulary either by testing them or encouraging the use of vocabulary-learning websites and apps such www.duolingo.com, www.memrise.com, www.quizlet.com Encourage your child to prepare thoroughly for their speaking exam, particularly the general conversation topics we have covered. The more they learn by heart now, the easier the real speaking exam will be in April or May. If possible, ask your child the questions and let them give you the answers (regardless of how well you speak 28

•

German or Spanish!). It is important that they say their answers out loud rather than just reading or writing them, as this helps with pronunciation and builds confidence Ask your child to listen to as much German or Spanish as possible. Watching YouTube clips in German/Spanish is a fun way of encouraging this. Likewise, watching the news or weather in German/Spanish is a great way to practise listening skills

What your child can do to help themselves: • • • • • • •

• •

Ensure your Speaking Exam booklet is updated each time you complete a conversation question which is marked by your teacher Learn your general conversation questions as thoroughly as possible and try to say the answers out loud rather than just reading them Record yourself saying the answers to the conversation questions so that you can listen to yourself over and over again Make mini flashcards of your conversation questions and answers for each theme and use every opportunity to revisit and revise them Use vocab learning apps such as duolingo.com, memrise.com and quizlet.com Practise reading and listening exam questions using bbcbitesize Cement your learning using the Pearson Edexcel Revision guide and workbooks (if you didn’t buy a revision guide you can still go onto the website and listen to the texts and download the transcripts at http://www.pearsonschools.co.uk/mflrevisionaudio or follow the link on Firefly) Write and memorise banks of phrases for opinions, idioms, complex structures to use in the writing exam Practise writing 90 / 150 words on the different topics using the vocab sheets for each unit

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Subject: Music

Exam Board: EDUQAS/WJEC

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: Music Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams: - The elements of music - Mozart set work - Western classical music features - forms and devices - Jazz and musicals - and comparing - Film music - ‘Since you been gone’ set work - Popular music and fusions.

What you can do to help your child with Music GCSE: • •

• • • •

Check they have done their homework – encourage them to research (using audio/video examples) of any key words they may not understand.

Whilst listening to music together (e.g. in the car) ask them to analyse the song using the elements of music (pitch, durations, rhythm, melody, structure, texture, instrumentation, dynamics, tempo, harmony/tonality). Specific questions could include: What is the structure (different sections) of this song? What are the specific instruments being used? Describe the tempo (speed) of this music.

Ask them to summarise/describe the key points/musical elements of their two set musical works – ideally whilst listening to them together.

Provide them with a recommended revision guide or direct them to the free PDF copies stored on Firefly.

Provide them with the equipment/instruments needed in order to effectively practice for the performance unit, at home.

Allow them time to practice their instrument at home.

What your child can do to help themselves: • • • • • • • •

Use a revision guide (such as the ones of Firefly) to further consolidate your learning.

Choose a section from one of your set works and use the elements of music to analyse it.

Listen to a range of unfamiliar piece of music and use the elements of music to analyse it.

Use ‘Focus on sound’, following the link through firefly, to revise specific areas and find more unfamiliar pieces of music to analyse.

Regularly practice your performance pieces, focusing on accuracy AND dynamics/expression.

Practice composing and creating musical ideas at home, ready to bring in and record during lessons.

Use the list of key vocabulary and search for audio examples/video explanations of any you do not understand/know.

Make sure you do not just know what it means, but what it sounds like in music.

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Subject: PE

Exam Board: OCR

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: PE Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams The content is as follows: 1.1a - Skeletal system 1.1b - Structure and functions of the muscular system 1.1c - Movement analysis 1.1d - Cardiovascular and respiratory system 1.1e - The effects of exercise on the bodies systems 1.2a - Components of fitness 1.2b - Applying the principles of training 1.2c - Preventing injuries in physical activity What you can do to help your child with Physical Education Revision GCSE: • • • • •

Encourage students to talk about what they have learnt in PE. Encourage students to use firefly and Google Classroom to check their learning and identify gaps in knowledge.

Recommend revision timetables to utilize time efficiently.

Utilise firefly to read ahead for forthcoming content so that your child can gain a head start and prior understanding of the course in advance.

Access GCSE OCR PE past papers from 2017 and the marks schemes to develop examination technique and identify the vocabulary required to acquire marks in an examination situation.

What your child can do to help themselves: • • • • • •

Complete all folder work including vocabulary sheets and mind maps for each subject area.

Use bbc bitesize, teachpe.com, brianmac sportscoach and OCR PE revision tools online to aid revision.

Develop flash cards / revision cards after each topic in class to enhance the revision process.

Practise past papers. Aim to do a section of examination questions once per week.

Use the Marks schemes to self-mark and identify gaps in knowledge.

Target these gaps in knowledge as a focus for your revision.

Use the material available on firefly to help you

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Subject: Science

Exam Board: AQA

Detailed information on the topics covered can be found on the school website: Science Learning Plans What to revise for the December practice exams: The Biology, Chemistry and Physics practice exam paper will be on Paper 1 topics only.

Biology: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.

Chemistry: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes.

Physics: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.

What you can do to help your child with Science GCSE (Combined and Separate): • • • • •

Encourage students to talk about what they have learnt in Science.

Encourage students to use Educake (our online assessment tool) to check their learning and identify gaps in knowledge.

Recommend revision guides and flash cards have been published.

Be checking that they have done the homework that is set on firefly – ask them about the work they have done, get them to talk you through what they have written, or read.

Look on firefly to identify up-coming pieces of work that your child can plan for and ensure they are well organised for their studies.

What your child can do to help themselves: • • • • • • •

Review what you have learnt in your Science lessons on a weekly basis Use Educake as a revision tool and attempt questions from the topics that you have covered in class.

Use Collins Connect to access the text books and revision materials.

Use the recommended revision guides and flash cards BBC bitesize has been refreshed and updated and is an extremely useful revision tool.

Practise past papers.

Use the information on Firefly.

Combined Science: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464/assessmentresources Separate Science: Biology https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461/assessment-resources Chemistry https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462/assessment-resources Physics https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463/assessment-resources 32

USEFUL WEBSITES General Support For Teenagers  https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/school-college-and-work/school-college/examstress/  www.youthaccess.org.uk General Parent Support  www.parentlineplus.org.uk confidential helpline for parents on 0808 800 2222 Exam Boards  www.aqa.org.uk the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA)  www.qualifications.pearson.com (Pearson Edexcel)  www.ocr.org.uk Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR)  www.wjec.co.uk The Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC/Eduqas) Revision  www.connect.collins.co.uk (Science)  www.educake.co.uk (Science)  www.sparknotes.com (English Literature)  www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zr9d7ty (English Language)  www.hegartymaths.com (Maths)  www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize (All subjects)  www.gcse.com www.S-cool.co.uk (All subjects) Careers  www.Careersbox.co.uk - Careers films/videos – real people in real jobs  www.icould.com - Career advice, HE choices  www.apprenticeships.org.uk - National Apprenticeship Service  www.futuremorph.org - STEM careers  www.targetjobs.co.uk - Careers info – construction, accountancy, banking, law, engineering, environment, media etc.

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College Open Days and Contact Information 2018 - 2019

Tuesday 20th November 2018 Wednesday 27th February 2019 www.runshaw.ac.uk 01772 622677 Monday 26th November 2018 Wednesday 6th March 2019 Monday 3rd June 2019 www.southport-college.ac.uk 01704 500606 Wednesday 21st November 2018 www.kgv.ac.uk 01704 530601

2nd February 2019 10am – 1pm www.cardinalnewman.ac.uk 01772 460181

Saturday 8th December 9.45am – 12.30pm www.myserscough.ac.uk 01995 642222

NOT PUBLISHED UNTIL OCTOBER 2018 www.preston.ac.uk 01772 225522 34

www.huttonsixthform.co.uk 01772 613112

Thursday 31st January 2019 Wednesday 13th March 2019 Thursday 13th June 2019 www.westlancs.ac.uk 01695 52300 Wednesday 13th February 2019 Thursday 13th June 2019 4.30pm – 7.30pm www.blackburn.ac.uk 01254 292929

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