February 21st Y11 Parents’ Information Evening

1. February 21stY11 Parents’ Information Evening

2. Candidate Timetable Shows the dates and sessions for each exam – start times may be different as they are generic.

3. Candidate statement of entry • Check all personal details • Check subjects and tiers of entry • Highlight dates and sessions (a.m./p.m.) • BTECs and other qualifications entered online are not shown – usually no written paper involved • Keep the statements safe!

4. College exam timetable • One timetable showing written exams in the summer season • Shows specific times and venues, exam lengths, etc. • Cross reference it with the candidate statement and highlight those exams which apply • Put the dates and times on a calendar!

5. Students with exam clashes • Generally required to sit the two exams consecutively, with a supervised break in between them – for afternoon exams this may require an earlier start time • Must not communicate with other students • Students affected will be notified of precise arrangements in March

6. Access Arrangements • These are made in advance for students with long-standing difficulties or conditions and need permission from exam boards • They can include extra time, use of a scribe or reader, use of a laptop, rest breaks, prompt, etc. and are notified by email from Mrs. Allan • These will usually have been in place for some time but can sometimes be applied in an emergency e.g broken arm, hand injury…. • Students with extra time may need to be prepared to stay beyond 3.10 pm in an afternoon session

7. Special Consideration • Individual applications are made only for the day of a specific exam, where a student has missed a written paper or has been present but disadvantaged on the day due to sudden accident, illness, bereavement, etc. • Require supporting evidence e.g. doctor’s letter • Considered by each exam board after exams have been marked • Exam boards decide if acceptable in each individual case – but not a guarantee of a change of marks/grade!

8. REMEMBER……. • Students must check the Exams noticeboard on the Promenade before the exam for any changes • Arrive at the venue in good time • Phone the College immediately if there is a problem • Bring any equipment needed and a black pen, in a clear pencil case or plastic bag • Calculators cannot be shared or loaned during the exam • Don’t bring bags, mobile phones or any electronic devices to the venue • Wear school uniform • Only a small clear bottle of water allowed, label removed!

9. YEAR 11 - KEY DATES • 18th February – 28th March5weeks’ 4 days teaching period • 29th March – 15th AprilEaster Holidays • 16th April - 20th May Final teaching and revision period [24 days] [N.B. There are a number of exams during this time] • First exam French, 13th May • 21st May Final celebration assembly • Final exam Latin, 19th June • Results Day Thursday 22 August • Certificate Evening mid-November [exact date to be confirmed]

10. EXAM PREPARATION • ATTENDANCE • ENGAGEMENT IN LESSONS • COMPLETED COURSEWORK • DETAILED & WELL-ORGANISED NOTES • PLANNED REVISION SESSIONS

11. EXAM PREPARATION The final full teaching day for Year 11 students is: Monday 20th May On Tuesday 21st May, there will be some activities in tutor groups and with the Year Team to celebrate their time at CVC.

12. EXAM PREPARATION • Study rooms will be available each day • Students need to check the exams’ notice board to find out which rooms have been allocated for that day

13. EXAM PREPARATION • Teachers are available for consultation at the times when they would have been teaching Year 11. • Students are encouraged to go to their teachers for specific help and advice during this time.

14. WORKING ENVIRONMENT Working Environment • At this time in the students’ school career we expect all students to be focused on achieving the best possible grades • If students appear not to be focused and are having a negative impact on the learning of others, this will not be tolerated • Teachers will be within their rights to remove these students from lessons

15. Getting through the exam period We all want to support students and help them achieve their best There are many ways in which parents can support their children, never under-estimate the contribution which you can make!

16. Careful does it! • Be sensitive to the pressure your child is feeling • Avoid confrontation – this can be used as a distraction from getting on with revision • Be flexible with chores and tasks which you would normally expect to be done

17. Ready ….. Tips for supporting your child in setting themselves up for revision

18. Talk to your child about how you can support them and what they would find helpful

19. Help them to get organised by supplying folders, dividers, post-it notes, index cards etc. which your child may find useful when organising their notes – this will speed up the process of getting started.

20. Encourage them to empty their bag and file handouts and information from lessons at the end of each day … … this will avoid frantic searches later!

21. Revision guides! There are many available. If you are going to purchase a guide make sure that it covers the information which your child has been studying. Many exam boards produce their own guides so do check your child’s statement of entry for details of the board and the course code. A number of guides can be purchased through school and subject teachers will often advise when these can be ordered.

22. Help your child to plan their revision timetable. Students will need varying levels of support with this. Some may already have a week by week programme established whereas others may still be digging their heads in the sand or may simply be unable to find a starting point.

23. Steady … Tips for supporting your child doing the revision

24. Ensure that your child has somewhere suitable to revise – try to avoid places where there will be distractions • Provide favourite snacks, healthy snacks and water for revision periods. Try to avoid sugary foods and drinks

25. Make sure that they take regular breaks and get some fresh air and take some physical exercise • They should factor in some free time activities when they can relax – they should not work too late and should try to get plenty of sleep

26. Encourage your child to keep to the plan which has been drawn up. Keep to the start and finish times which were agreed. Praise them when they do it and if necessary agree a reward structure. These could be treats or other benefits – such as being excused from chores! Avoid making rewards dependant on results – it will only add to disappointment if they don’t do as well as expected.

27. Quietly top-up the ‘workbox’ with pens, rulers, pads etc. • Don’t get wound up about lost items if you can help it – motivation is hard to find for revision and arguments about minor things just aren’t worth it!

28. Be flexible! • If your child asks to go out on a revision night, agree when they will make the time up. • If they are really not up to revision at odd times then reassure them that it isn’t the end of the world and let it go. • Remind them of the good work they have already done and will continue to do.

29. Keep up with regular ‘check ins’ – keep an eye on how much time they are revising for • Don’t nag in between times • Show an interest in how the revision is going – you could offer to test their knowledge • Talk through any difficulties and be prepared to help them reschedule their planning as necessary

30. Go … Tips for supporting your child on the day of an exam

31. Ensure that your child is prepared for the exam and talk through where and when it is, what they need to take etc. • On the day of the exam, make sure that they have a watch and a supply of pens, pencils etc.

32. Try to keep routines the same, and not introduce any instability unless it is absolutely necessary. • On exam days, try to ensure that they have a good breakfast (or suggest that they take a banana or other source of energy-food if they can’t eat first thing)

33. After the exam, ask how it went but don’t insist on a long post-mortem. • Be available but respect your child’s wishes to deal with their feelings in their own way. • Try to adopt an attitude of ‘tomorrow is another day’, if things have gone badly

34. Good luck, Year 11!