Year 11 Information and Support Evening 4 September 2019

1. Year 11 Information and SupportEvening 4 September 2019

2. Celebrate our success and identify key dates for this term (J Brown and J Tomasevic) To demonstrate the information section on our website that is exclusively for Year 11 (J Tomasevic) To explain the expectations of students during mock and official exams. (JTomasevic) To explain how to use Knowledge Organisers and homework expectations (J Tomasevic) To explain the significance of tiered/non-tiered exams and reading(ABritten) To explain the importance of work-life balance (S Cockayne) After GCSEsand brief introduction to our sixth form (JTomasevic) Please speak to us on your way out if you have questions Aims for this evening’ssession:

3. We ❤ Year11

4. Welcome to your final year of GCSEs! two terms

6. Holiday Revision Sessions: • February Half Term • Easter • Our analysis shows that students that attended these sessions achieved higher than predicted. It did make a difference! Key Dates for Year11

7. To demonstrate the new information section on our website that is exclusively for Year11

8. No food allowed in the exam hall. Water bottles are allowed in the exam hall if necessary. These should be clear bottles with a spill-proof cap. There should be no label on the bottle. Arrive at school for Tutor Time asnormal. When taking exams, bags should be left in the appropriate place for the row you are sitting in. All coats, hats, scarves, etc. should be removed and left with yourbag. OfficialExam CheckList 2018-19 School Uniform MUST be worn for ALL Examinations. If you are not in school uniform you will be sent home to change and may miss the opportunity to take the examination. To explain the expectations of students during mock and officialexams Phones – Students must not have mobiles phones in their possession (either on or off). They MUST be handed in to an invigilator on entering the examination room. This is very important – if you are caught with a phone, there is a good chance that your examination paper will becancelled. Sshh! There is absolutely no talking or communication between students once you enter the exam hall. If you have any questions, you should raise your hand once seated andan invigilator will come toyou. You should bring black pens, pencil, rubber and any other writing equipment needed to your exams. Only clearpencil cases are allowed on your desk, any others should be left in your bag.Do not use gel pens – this is because many of the exam papers are now scanned and sent electronically for marking – gel pens do not scanwell. In an exam where you have the use of a calculator, youshouldnothavea calculatorcoveronyourdesk. Please leave these in your bag or place on the floor under yourdesk.

9. To explain the expectations of students during mock and officialexams Arrive at school for Tutor Time asnormal. What actions will result in a resit of your internal exam(s) after school? Talking or communicatingwith others once in the examhall Failure to bring the correct equipment (e.g.calculator) Pooreffort When taking exams, bags should be left in the appropriate place for the row you are sitting in. All coats, hats, scarves, etc. should be removed and left with yourbag. Mock Exam CheckList 2018-19 Sshh! There is absolutely no talking or communication between students once you enter the exam hall. If you have any questions, you should raise your hand once seated andan invigilator will come toyou. You should bring black pens, pencil, rubber and any other writing equipment needed to your exams. Only clearpencil cases are allowed on your desk, any others should be left in your bag.Do not use gel pens – this is because many of the exam papers are now scanned and sent electronically for marking – gel pens do not scanwell. Ensure you have calculator, protractor and compass for your Maths exam. Check whatother exams need suchequipment!

10. Progress is knowing more and rememberingmore. To be successful in the GCSEs students need to have as much knowledge as possible in their long termmemory. All research shows that you remember more by following the processof: Using KOs to succeed in theGCSEs Learn for the first time – recall – recall – recall - - - - - -recall It is this process that the knowledge organisers are builtaround. They give students the time to revise and commit to memory overtime, not just before assessments.

11. Examplesof a good KO workbook

12. Which student was in the ‘higher tier’ maths and science classes? Student B (foundation)worked their socks off! • Student A was in the higher tier exam classes for maths and science • Often found not completing the work in class (argumentative, head on desk) • Rarely completed homework • Did not attend holiday revision sessions • Poor diet and sleeping patterns

13. Understanding the NFS student timetable • Based on exam data and teacher judgement, we sometimes move students between higher and foundation maths and science classes, and this can affect which teachers they have for some other mixed ability classes. • We always discuss with students and parents before making a change. It’s not about which class you’re in, it’s how hard you work! Your child’s progress in maths and science will determine whether they are higher or foundation, and also determine which teacher they will have for other subjects.

14. Y11 READING AGESandGCSEs The average reading age of GCSE exam materials is 15 years and seven months Many pupils sitting their GCSEs are reading at thelevel of a 13-year-old pupil, or younger. Approximately 17% of 16 year olds leave school functionallyilliterate

17. Research shows a positive link between literacy and a child’swellbeing A new report by the National Literacy Trust explores the link between “mental wellbeing, reading andwriting enjoyment, attitudes andbehaviours”. The key finding from the reportis: Children who are the most engaged with literacy are three times more likely to have higher levels of mental wellbeing than children who are the least engaged - 39.4% vs11.8% • Support your child! Ensure they… • Read as much aspossible • Read challengingtexts • Use practice exam papers to get used to the wording of questions

18. Difficulty getting to sleep or difficulty waking up in themorning • Constanttiredness • Forgetfulness • Unexplained aches andpains • Poor appetite • Loss of interest inactivities • Increased anxiety andirritability • Increased heartrate • Migraines/headaches • Blurredvision • Dizziness Work-life Balance – dealing withstress/anxiety

19. Learn to recognise when you are feelingstressed • Avoid comparing your abilities with yourpeers • Eatwell • Sleepwell • Exercise • Panic is often triggered by hyperventilating (quick, shallowbreaths) • Steer clear of any exam'post-mortem' How to manage examstress

20. Talking about exams • Lifestyletips • Keeping home life as calm aspossible • Maintaining well-being during times ofstress How parents can support

21. There are many charities that can offer you 1-2-1 online counselling or support. You can phone, text or emailthem. • Pastoral team – happy tochat • Counsellors • SchoolNurse • Mental Health focus in school/tutorset Externaland School Support

22. Autumn term – time fordecisions • Education or training 16 – 18years • Post-16 options in PSHCElessons • Sixth form/college openevenings • Very important to do yourresearch AfterGCSEs – What should you think about and do?

23. Prospectus, course information andentry • requirements onwebsite • A Levels – mainly facilitatingsubjects • Wider offer (Gold D of E, EPQ, voluntary/community work,work experience) NFS SixthForm • Online application form and ability tobook an interview – opensoon Open Evening Wednesday 6thNovember 6 – 8pm Book a place via the schoolwebsite