Parents
If your child wants to practice examination style questions, as well as learning the necessary
factual information, these are available from the department. The History teachers are very
willing to mark any extra work your child does.
There is some help and advice below that should enable you to support your child fully during
this stressful time. Thank you. Together I am sure we can help the children of St Ambrose
Barlow High School fulfil their potential.
Advice for Parents:
Encourage your child to revise for frequent, short spells. This is more effective than fewer
marathon sessions.
Your child has been encouraged to be active while revising – for example.
 Making and re-making notes
 Drawing ‘mind-maps’
 Highlighting revision sheets and notes
 Verbalising (talking out loud – don’t worry, they
haven’t gone potty!)
Don’t test your child on everything at once. Agree on a topic, set a deadline for revision and
then ask the questions. Don’t panic if your child is not very good at answering the questions
first time round. This just highlights the need for more revision.
Re-test your child. They will show improvement, and this is really encouraging!
Testing doesn’t have to be serious – ask questions while you are on the bus, having tea, in the
shops – anywhere! Have fun!
History Revision Top Tips
IMPORTANT –
below are the tips that the pupils have been given please
support them as much as you can so they can follow these tips.
1. PLANNING - be organised, make a realistic plan you can stick to and STICK TO IT. Plan your
folder - divide into sections that are ordered and structured.
2. BE REALISTIC - do not attempt to revise for more than 45 minutes at a stretch - break up
your revision with breaks and rewards. If you give yourself a 10-minute break between two 45minute sessions you will be amazed how much more you will achieve
3. BE PURPOSEFUL - Don't give up - even a mountain of work gets smaller and more manageable
once you start to revise
4. KEEP IT ALL IN PROPORTION Your GCSE's are important, but in terms of life the universe
and everything they are not THAT important. Work hard but don't make yourself ill over it, you
can live with the consequences if you don't get what you want first time!
5. SUPPORT each other in your revision - if you can find someone to revise with and to test you
it is often a big help. It is also useful to have someone to talk to about it.
6. Sort out the environment you are going to work in. MINIMISE STRESS make sure you have
everything you need - files, books, pens, paper etc. readily to hand. Make sure it's a quiet place,
not stuffy, enough light, refreshments close to hand - a place where you are comfortable.
STRATEGIES

Use "Memory Maps" for complicated topics - use pictures and symbols that spring to your
mind. Place finished memory maps above your desk just above eye level

Regularly test yourself in exam conditions
When taking additional notes remember to try and interact with your notes. Consider the
topic title, ask yourself what the notes made you think of, and make connections.
Give yourself regular breaks - the average attention span is about 15 minutes!! Give
yourself regular five minute breaks when you do something completely different e.g.
listen to music, make a cup of tea -- you might want to use rewards e.g. I can have a
chocolate biscuit if I learn this Memory map -- you'll get fat but it might help you learn
Many people concentrate better with a little background music on - experiment - does it
help you? If yes then DO IT
Mobilise a friend - revise together - use each other to brainstorm how you approach
certain questions, test each other orally
Always make sure there is a range of activities and aids to your revision.
Auditory - things you can listen do - other people, you could make revision tapes if you
find the spoken word more helpful than written revision cards
Visual - things you can see - revision cards, memory maps etc.
Kinaesthetic- don’t just sit still all the time. Many people learn well when they are moving
- In the First Place game is very useful







