GCSE Examination Information Evening 2019 Mr May, Co Headteacher Ms Grewal Deputy Headteacher
MA MA A reminder of the new GCSE grading structure In the first year, the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 and above as previously got A and above achieve a grade 4 and above as previously got C and above achieve a grade 1 and above as previously got G and above
How sharp is the axe? Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe Abraham Lincoln
Today Track 1 including UCAS progress grade Assessment Week (2) Track 2 including UCAS progress grade Year 11 Parents Evening Year 11 Trial Exam Year 11 Final Track Final GCSE Exams begin The Year 11 Timeline 2018-19 Results Day 2019
How much time is there from today until the trial exams on 25 th February 2019? Number of school days from now until the 25 th February 13 Number of non school days 13 Revise for 1.5-2 hours on school days from January Revise for 3-4 hours on non- school days from January Fridays off Total Hours: 65
How much time is there from today until the final papers begin on Monday 13 th May 2019 Number of school days from now until the 13 th May 55 Number of non school days 49 Revise for 1.5-2 hours on school days from January Revise for 3-4 hours on non- school days from January Fridays off Total Hours: 257
Trial Exams February 2019 Year 11 Trial Exams Start on Monday 25 th February 2019. (Red numbers are final papers) Subject Number of papers Subject Number of papers English Language 1 (2) French 3 and 1 speaking (3 and 1 speaking) English Literature 1 (2) German 3 and 1 speaking (3 and 1 speaking) Maths 3 (3) Spanish 3 and 1 speaking (3 and 1 speaking) Biology 1 (2) Geography 1 (3) Chemistry 1 (2) History 1 (3) Physics 1 (2) Economics 1 (2) Combined Science 3 (6) Computing 1 (2) (one after exam week) RE 2 (2) Health and Social 1 (1) Art 10 hours final exam PE 2 (2) Product Design 1 (1) Music 1 (1) Hospitality and Catering 1 (1) Product Design and Design Engineering Food Preparation and Nutrition 1 (1) Vocational Engineering 1 (1) 1 (1)
Key Facts about the Trial Exams They are a dress rehearsal for the real thing so must be approached with the same level of seriousness and an aspiration to do well. The examinations begin on Monday 25 th February and will go into a second week timetable will be released tomorrow. All morning exams will begin at 9.00 am and afternoon exams at 1.30 pm. Final GCSEs will start nationally at 9.00 am and 1.30pm. Students need to be in school by 8.45 and 1.15 at the earliest. Students will return/attend lessons in the morning. Students will be dismissed directly from afternoon examinations. During the day when students are not in exam they must be in lessons with revision materials. Not every lesson will facilitate revision but it may be possible. Phone protocol use the phone envelope and hand it in or leave it at home. This envelope should also be used for smart watches.
What students need to have Examination timetable. Are the exams on an electronic calendar? Family calendar? School equipment a number of pens, pencils, ruler, protractor, calculator and a clear pencil case. Water bottle with label removed. Uniform Punctuality Great behaviour zero tolerance A growth mindset can do attitude
What can you do?
MA Managing Exam Stress Parents can find exams just as stressful as their child! 7:00pm Wednesday 6 th February, Tapton School for parents of Year 10, 11, 12 & 13 Find out how you can best support your child with the pressure of exams. Steve Rippin, Assistant Headteacher, Tapton School Dr Zoe Brownlie, Clinical Psychologist, CAMHS
Ensure the work space is a work space
Check that good study habits are being employed Practice testing Distributed practice Elaborate interrogation (quizzing, prepare to teach) Interleaved practice Highlighting Re-reading
Check Revision Timetables Make a list of subject and sub topics. Prioritise. Ensure coverage. 45mins 1hr
MA Select, elect Another revision strategy that gets students thinking hard about their revision is Select, Elect. In simple terms, you get students to select the most salient facts, ideas, concepts, or terms, from a given revision topic, before then asking them to elect what they deem the most significant knowledge or idea/concept that they need to understand for their examination. This gets students actively engaging with their revision material, whilst being metacognitive about what is the most salient information they need to remember.
MA Five Minute Revision Challenge - @LucyCParsons Practice drawing diagrams of scientific processes Memorise definitions of subject vocabulary Learn vocabulary or verbs for foreign languages Look at a historical source (picture or short text) and brainstorm what you can see Pick a theme from a text for English and write down as many examples of it as you can think of from the text Act out a story, scientific process or historical or political event Solve a maths problem Memorise a formula Memorise key facts for a case study
Question 1 Exam clashes? There are always some clashing exams at some point through the exam season. The examinations officer in school organises alternative slots for exam clash students. Rescheduled exams will this year appear on the individual student s timetable for both the trial and final exams. If a student has a clash that has not been spotted they must go to the examinations office asap.
MA Question 2 Mock exam feedback? Students will receive specific and detailed feedback following their mock exams. You will receive the final tracking of Year 11 before the Easter holidays. This tracking will be reviewed with form tutors and a member of the senior leadership team during individual review meetings straight after Easter. Students will be self-reporting their feedback. Self-reporting cards will accompany the tracking.
Question 3 Final exam timetable and revision sessions The final exam timetable will be ready around March. All exams and seat numbers will appear on the timetable. Encourage your child to check their name is spelt correctly because that is how it will appear on their exam certificates. A final revision pack will be sent home before final papers. It will include some final revision tips, the dates of our revision sessions and final subject guidance from subject leaders. You can take away the provisional final timetable with you this evening.
MA Question 4 GCSE Exam Results Day and Certificates Results will be ready for collection on Thursday 22 nd August at 9.00 am from the school hall. If you are not able to collect your results please contact school before the exams begin so that we can make arrangements with you. GCSE certificates are released to schools in November. If you are in the 6 th form you can collect them from reception. If you have left you will need to collect them with a form of ID.
Question 5 Access arrangements If you have an access arrangements (reader pen, extra time etc) the exam invigilators will know before the exam begins and all preparations will be in place. If in doubt see Ms Grewal before the exam.
MA We are in this together