SUPPORTING GCSE STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY
MRS C BOWLEY, PROGRESS LEADER Y10/Y11
TUESDAY 21 APRIL 2015
The purpose of this evening
• ‘What parents do is more important for
children…than parental occupation, education
or income’. (DCSF 2008)
• ‘Parental support is eight times more
important than social class….parental
involvement can mean the difference between
an A* and an ‘also-ran’ at GCSE’. (TES, Oct’03)
A challenging time ahead….
• Study leave from 11May
• Transition of school routines and structure
• Being organised and prepared during exam
period (12May-22June)
• Maintaining effort and motivation levels
• Tension and stress for students
and family
So what can you do as a parent?
At home, provide:
• a quiet space and a ‘workbox’
• Make their exam timetable visible
• Easy, nutritious snacks, drinks and meals to sustain
energy (water improves concentration up to 70%
more than caffeine)
• a listening ear, a comforting shoulder
• Rules and routines
• Praise, rewards and sanctions
So what does good revision look like?
Successful revision involves:
• Making a plan that is achievable and sustainable
• Having clear goals about what will be achieved by the end of
each study period
• Reducing the information to a series of key-points which can be
expanded in response to an exam question
• Re-visiting this condensed work on the day of the exam, the night
before, a week before and within a month of the exam (THIS
REALLY WORKS!)
• Using revision guides (so long as they are current and relevant)
• Testing your knowledge and understanding (verbal & written)
• Using a clock to ensure a regimented balance between
study and down-time
• Making a note of topics that you struggle with
so you can seek help later
Before
Encourage :• Revision Planning (DO something with an output/know
dates of exams and course-work deadlines)
• Extra, sustained effort in class, with homework and
coursework
• Organisation of files and equipment
• Attendance of After School sessions
• Discussions between student and teacher or other support
staff as necessary (e.g. tutor, SENCO, Chaplain, School
Nurse, Careers Adviser, Mentor, PAL)
• Established routines (breakfast, relaxation and bed-time)
• Regular conversations about what’s been achieved, what’s
ahead, how they are feeling but agree when in advance
During
Monitor and support by :•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Removing Distractions
Stick to the plan for Revision
Maintaining routines (study and break-times)
Having conversations about what’s been achieved,
what’s ahead, how they are feeling
Providing short and long-term incentives
Getting involved in revision tasks
Choosing your battles – aim for balance
Praying with and for our children
After
Praise and reward :•
•
•
•
•
Congratulate them on sustaining their efforts
Fulfil on any promised incentives!
Allow them to choose how they will relax
Talk about the future
Be around to celebrate/pick up the pieces on
Results Day (Thursday 20 August)
After School Sessions Apr/May
The library will be also open to all students for quiet study after
school until 4.15 each day Laptops will be available
Session, Room and
Teacher
A and D Room 10
Art Room 7 LJ
Monday
Geography Room 21
History Room 22
Maths
Science VK
ICT*
Thursday
Product Design,
Electronic Products,
Graphics
Controlled Assessment
Art and Design
Music Room DQ
English CC
Tuesday
Open session until 5pm
Music theory and
composition
Open Session will run
until 5.00
Subject surgery
Subject surgery
Foundation Level Room
30
Higher Level Room 26
Open session until
5pm
Science Revision
ICT and Business Studies
Year 10 and 11 Afterschool Revision and Study Sessions
Term 5
All sessions will run until 4.30 unless stated
*There is also a Tues lunchtime session for ICT
Additional Ideas and Support
Please see Mrs Emery to purchase a recommended guide at
£3.00 each:
GCSE’s – What can a parent do?
101 tips to ensure success
Websites: S-cool; Revisionworld.co.uk; gcseguide.co.uk;
childline.org.uk (Examstress line 0800 11111); familylives.org.uk
Question Time