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COUNTDOWN TO SUCCESS

The Essential Guide to Exam Preparation

February 2017 Parent Guide

Dear Parent/Carer As we approach the final few weeks in the run up to the exams, I would like to provide you with an overview of the exam preparation programme. This booklet contains information on the following:

Advice on how to revise effectively

Timetable of revision

Exam course information. I would be extremely grateful if you could ensure that your son/daughter attends all of the revision sessions available to them and applies the advice given in this booklet. If you have any queries please contact myself or Miss Downward (Data and Exams Officer). Yours sincerely

Mrs H Apperley Director of Upper School

KARIM’S GUIDE TO IMPROVING MEMORY SKILLS

Karim Al-Abbas is a leading world class memory expert who is committed to showing students how to learn effectively. Karim identifies three main techniques to help students learn and prepare for exams. They are as follows:

1. MIND MAPS: Students should use lots of colour and pictures when constructing these. They should also ensure that the mind map is clearly set out in a very structured format.

2. JOURNEY METHOD: Take a mental journey through your home, placing things that need to be remembered in each room. Eg: quotes for English Literature

parts of the plant and photosynthesis for Biology

3. CREATE A STORY

TIME MANAGEMENT Students will need to allocate at least 14 hours of self-study time outside of lessons each week. Remember to plan time to relax and take part in sports and hobbies. Pick your grade A = 14 hours of self study per week B = 10 hours of self study per week C = 8 hours of self study per week The seven key ingredients for academic success:

1. 14 hours of purposeful study with no distractions 2. Drive and determination 3. Seeking support when needed 4. Lots of practice 5. Testing using challenging tasks 6. Attention to detail 7. Positive mind-set – “I can”

REVISION TIME IN SCHOOL

ACADEMIC MENTORING TIME This time is now dedicated to subject focused revision. Tutor groups have been re-arranged so that those students most in need of support in maths are with Miss Owens and Mrs Roberts and likewise for English. ACCELERATED READING TIME Accelerated reading stopped on 1st February. Students now use this time to create mind maps and revision cards. As a result of these changes, students have gained approximately 3 hours of revision time within the school day. Students need to make sure that they make full use of this time.

AFTER SCHOOL REVISION

MONDAY - MATHS TUESDAY – SCIENCE WEDNESDAY – ENGLISH THURSDAY – TECHNOLOGY AND ART FRIDAY – HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

REVISION CLINICS DURING HOLIDAY TIME February Half Term (Monday 20th – Friday 24th) Monday 20th 10.00 – 3.00 Year 11 French Mrs Jones Tuesday 21st 10.00 – 2.00 Food Technology and Photography Mrs Dawson Tuesday 21st 10.00 – 1.00 PE (Library) Ms Glackin Wednesday 22nd 9.00 – 11.00 English (Room 15) Mrs Barnett Easter Holiday (Monday 10th April – Friday 21st April) Thursday 13th April 9.00 – 1.00 Maths NB: MORE DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AFTER FEBRUARY HALF TERM May Half Term (Monday 29th May – Friday 2nd June) NB: DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AFTER FEBRUARY HALF TERM

SUMMER EXAMINATION TIMETABLE

Date Start Len Board Code Component Title Level Cands

3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th April

09:00-13:15 10:00 EDEXL/GCSE 5PY0201 Externally Set Assignment GCSE/B 15

25th/26th April all day 10:00 EDEXL/GCSE 5AD0201 Externally Set Assignment GCSE/B 15

27th/28th April all day 10:00 EDEXL/GCSE 5FA0201 Externally Set Assignment GCSE/B 23

Tue 16 May 09:00 00:35 WJEC/GCSE 42210001 French Unit 1 Listening-Foundation GCSE/B 8

Tue 16 May 09:00 00:45 WJEC/GCSE 42210002 French Unit 1 Listening-Higher GCSE/B 13

Tue 16 May 09:00 00:35 WJEC/GCSE 42230001 French Unit 3 Reading-Foundation GCSE/B 8

Tue 16 May 09:00 00:45 WJEC/GCSE 42230002 French Unit 3 Reading-Higher GCSE/B 13

Wed 17 May 09:00 01:30 EDEXL/GCSE 5IT0101 Living in A Digital World GCSE/B 42

Wed 17 May 13:00 01:30 AQA 40552 Religious Studies B Unit 2 GCSE/B 70

Mon 22 May 09:00 02:00 WJEC/GCSE C720U10-1 English Lit Component 1 Shakespeare GCSE/FC 75

Mon 22 May 13:00 01:30 OCR B561/02 Geog B: Sustain Dcsn Mkng Wrttn Hgh GCSE/B 27

Tue 23 May 13:00 01:30 AQA 40553 Religious Studies B Unit 3 GCSE/B 56

Wed 24 May 13:00 01:15 OCR B731/02 Biol B: Biol Mod B1, B2, B3 Wrttn Hgh GCSE/B 8

Wed 24 May 13:00 01:15 OCR B711/01 Science B: Sci Mod B1, C1, P1 Wrtn Fnd GCSE/B 13

Wed 24 May 13:00 01:15 OCR B711/02 Science B: Sci Mod B1, C1, P1 Wrtn Hgh GCSE/B 11

Thu 25 May 09:00 01:30 EDEXL/GCSE 1MA1 1F Non Calculator (F) GCSE/FC 39

Thu 25 May 09:00 01:30 EDEXL/GCSE 1MA1 1H Non Calculator (H) GCSE/FC 37

Fri 26 May 09:00 02:30 WJEC/GCSE C720U20-1

English Lit COMPONENT2 Prose & Poetry GCSE/FC 75

SUMMER EXAMINATION TIMETABLE

Date Start Len Board Code Component Title Level Cands

Mon 05 Jun 09:00 02:00 OCR A954/13 Hist A: Stdy in Dev & Amrcn West Wrtn GCSE/B 30

Mon 05 Jun 13:00 02:00 AQA 45451 D & T: Food Technology Unit 1 GCSE/B 14

Tue 06 Jun 09:00 01:45 WJEC/GCSE C700U10-1 Eng Lang Component 1 20th Cent Lit GCSE/FC 75

Tue 06 Jun 09:00 02:15 AQA ENG1F English/English Language Unit 1F GCSE/B 1

Tue 06 Jun 13:00 01:45 OCR B563/02 Geog B: Geogrphcl Key Thms Wrtn Hgh GCSE/B 27

Thu 08 Jun 09:00 01:30 EDEXL/GCSE 1MA1 2F Calculator (F) GCSE/FC 39

Thu 08 Jun 09:00 01:30 EDEXL/GCSE 1MA1 2H Calculator (H) GCSE/FC 37

Fri 09 Jun 09:00 01:15 OCR B741/02 Chmstry B: Chem Mdl C1, C2, C3 Wtn Hgr GCSE/B 8

Fri 09 Jun 09:00 01:30 OCR B712/01 Science B: Sci Mod B2, C2, P2 Wrtn Fnd GCSE/B 13

Fri 09 Jun 09:00 01:30 OCR B712/02 Science B: Sci Mod B2, C2, P2 Wrtn Hgh GCSE/B 11

Fri 09 Jun 13:00 01:30 WJEC/GCSE 44130001 Music Unit 3-Listening GCSE/B 12

Mon 12 Jun 09:00 02:00 WJEC/GCSE C700U20-1 Eng Lang Component 2 Nonfiction GCSE/FC 75

Tue 13 Jun 09:00 01:30 EDEXL/GCSE 1MA1 3F Calculator (F) GCSE/FC 39

Tue 13 Jun 09:00 01:30 EDEXL/GCSE 1MA1 3H Calculator (H) GCSE/FC 37

Wed 14 Jun 09:00 01:15 OCR B751/02 Physics B: Physc Mdl P1, P2, P3 Wtn Hgh GCSE/B 8

Wed 14 Jun 09:00 01:15 OCR B721/01 Add Sci B: Sci Mod B3, C3, P3 Wrtn Fnd GCSE/B 6

Wed 14 Jun 09:00 01:15 OCR B721/02 Add Sci B: Sci Mod B3, C3, P3 Wrtn Hgh GCSE/B 44

Wed 14 Jun 13:00 01:30 OCR A955/21 Hist A: Hst Src Invst Pblc Hlth Wrtn GCSE/B 30

Fri 16 Jun 09:00 01:30 OCR B732/02 Biol B: Biol Mod B4, B5, B6 Wrttn Hgh GCSE/B 8

Fri 16 Jun 09:00 01:30 OCR B722/01 Add Sci B: Sci Mod B4, C4, P4 Wrtn Fnd GCSE/B 6

Fri 16 Jun 09:00 01:30 OCR B722/02 Add Sci B: Sci Mod B4, C4, P4 Wrtn Hgh GCSE/B 44

Fri 16 Jun 13:00 02:00 AQA 45601 D & T: Resistant Materials Tech Unit 1 GCSE/B 16

Mon 19 Jun 09:00 01:30 OCR B742/02 Chmstry B: Chem Mdl C4, C5, C6 Wtn Hgh GCSE/B 8

Mon 19 Jun 09:00 01:15 OCR B761/02 Ftr Add Sci: Add Sci B5 C5 P5 Wtn Hgh GCSE/B 2

Tue 20 Jun 13:00 02:00 AQA 45501 D & T: Graphic Products Unit 1 GCSE/B 21

Wed 21 Jun 09:00 01:30 OCR B752/02 Physics B: Phys Mdl P4, P5, P6 Wtn Hgh GCSE/B 8

Wed 21 Jun 09:00 01:30 OCR B762/02 Ftr Add Sci: Add Sci B6 C6 P6 Wtn Hgh GCSE/B 2

YEAR 11

Exam Course Information Summer 2017

Subject: English/English Language Exam Board: Eduqas

Date of exam: Tuesday 6th June (am)

Tier: No tier

Paper Number: Component One

Length of exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

Content of paper, topics, unit titles, focus of questions, other relevant information:

Reading and understanding one prose extract of literature from the 20th century assessed through a range of structured questions Prose Writing One creative task selected from a choice of four titles

Date of exam: Tuesday 12th June (am)

Tier: No tier

Paper Number: Component 2

Length of exam: 2 hours


19th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading and Transactional/Persuasive Writing 40 marks

Subject: English Literature Exam Board: Eduqas

Date of exam: Monday 22nd May

Tier: No tier

Paper Number: Component 1 Shakespeare and Poetry



Section A – 1 hour - 20% Close reading of an extract from set text Extended essay on set text Section B – 1 hour – 20% Two questions based on poems from the WJEC Eduqas Poetry Anthology

Date of exam: Friday 26th May

Tier: No tier

Paper Number: 2

Length of exam: 2 hours 30 mins


Section A Close reading of an extract from set text Section B Extended essay on set text) One source based question Section C Unseen Poetry from the 20th/21st Century

Subject: Mathematics

Exam Syllabus EDEXCEL (New Spec)

Date of exam: Paper 1 - Thursday 25th May (am) 2017 (non-calculator) Paper 2 - Thursday 8th June (am) 2017 (calculator) Paper 3 - Tuesday 13th June (am) 2017 (calculator)

Tier: Higher Foundation

Paper Number: 1MA1H 1MA1F

Length of exam: All papers are 1hour 30minutes All papers are 1hour 30minutes


Both Paper 1, 2 and 3 could assess understanding of any Mathematics skill from the GCSE curriculum – either higher or foundation. The Higher tier exam ranges from Grades 4 to 9 The Foundation tier exam ranges from Grade 1 to 5 The most effective way of revising for a Maths exam is to answer Maths questions. If a student identifies a question they cannot answer they should endeavor to find a solution using notes, online resources or asking a Maths teacher. They should then attempt to answer similar questions to unsure understanding/knowledge is secure. All topics are available on Corbett Maths website: www.corbettmaths.com Revision guides, workbooks, equipment and mathswatch disks for both Higher and Foundation tier can be purchased from the maths department. All students must be equipped with their own calculator for all Maths lessons between now and the exams – we recommend the Casio fx-83. Please support your child by ensuring they are answering lots of Maths questions as part of their revision and keeping up with a revision schedule that reviews their understanding of all GCSE Maths skills.

Course Content:

Core Science

Additional Science

Separate Sciences

Paper 1 B1, C1, P1 Paper 2 B2, C2, P2

Paper 1 B3, C3, P3 Paper 2 B4, C4, P4

Biology Paper 1 – B1, B2, B3 Paper 2 – B4, B5, B6 Chemistry Paper 1- C1, C2, C3 Paper 2 – C4, C5, C6 Physics Paper 1 – P1, P2, P3 Paper 2 – P4, P5, P6

Exam Dates 24th May (pm) 1 hour 15 mins 9th June (am) 1 hour 30 mins

14th June (am) 1 hour 15 mins 16th June (am) 1 hour 30 mins Further Additional Science 19th June (am) 1 hour 15 mins 21st June (am) 1 hour 30 mins

24th May (pm) 1hour 14 mins (Biology) 9th June (am) 1 hour 15mins (Chemistry) 14th June (am) 1 hour 15 mins (Physics) 16th June (am) 1 hour 30 mins (Biology) 19th June (am) 1 hour 30 mins (Chemistry) 21st June (am) 1 hour 30 mins (Physics)

Exam Syllabus OCR Gateway Science OCR Additional Science OCR

Subject: Science

Subject: Art and Design (Fine Art)

Exam Syllabus EDEXCEL

Date of exam: 27th and 28th April

Tier: N/A

Paper Number: 5FA02

Length of exam: 10 Hours (Split over two days) 40% - “Beginning and/or End”


Portfolio (60%) is completed from September- January. This is delivered as coursework in every lesson. This should be complete by April 24th. Please refer to the GCSE Art exam and coursework overview, which has already been issued to students and parents.

Subject: Art and Design


Date of exam: 25th and 26th April

Tier: N/A

Paper Number: 5FA02

Length of exam: 10 Hours (Split over two days) 40% - “Beginning and/or End”


Portfolio (60%) is completed from September- January. This is delivered as coursework in every lesson. This should be complete by April 24th. Please refer to the GCSE Art exam and coursework overview, which has already been issued to students and parents.

Subject: Art and Design (Photography)


Date of exam: 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th April 9.00am – 1.15 pm each day

Tier: N/A

Paper Number: 5PY02

Length of exam: 10 Hours (Split over the four days) 40% - “Beginning and/or End”


Portfolio (60%) is completed from September- January. This is delivered as coursework in every lesson. This should be complete by April 24th. Please refer to the GCSE Photography exam and coursework overview, which has already been issued to students and parents.

Subject: Food Technology Exam Syllabus AQA Design & Technology (Food Technology)

Date of exam: 5th June 2017 (pm)

Tier: All students sit one tier of entry

Paper Number: 45451



The exam has 2 sections (total 120 marks.) SECTION A (30 marks) This section requires students to design and develop ideas based upon the design theme given by the AQA exam board. This will be given to students on 1st March. Students should research the design theme and come up with design ideas prior to the exam, including the recipe, functions and method for designs. Students may be asked to develop their ideas, so preparation is needed for this. Preparation materials cannot be taken into the exam itself. SECTION B (90 marks) This section contains a range of questions based on what has been covered in the course such as functional and nutritional properties of food, effects of combining ingredients and the interaction of foods during preparation and cooking, the importance of proportions on the structure, shape and volume of mixtures, the effects of acids and alkalis, the use of standard components in food processing, the stages in the development of a food prototype, labeling, packaging, product information and codes of practice, the use, need and effect of additives, the impact and effect of using a range of different equipment, storage of food and food products, Students are required to attend all lessons up until their exam. The teacher will take them through a series of planned preparation exercises to help them interpret the exam questions and prepare model answers. The D&T department has invested heavily to support students. Students will find a wealth of support materials on www.technologystudent.com and bbc.bitesize. as well as after school sessions which are run by staff to provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and further the development of their subject knowledge. Independent learning and revision is the key to success. manufacturing and large scale production and technological developments.

http://www.technologystudent.com/

Subject: Graphic Products Exam Syllabus AQA

Date of exam: 20th June (pm)

Tier: One tier

Paper Number: 45501



The exam has 2 sections (total 120 marks.) SECTION A (30 marks) This section requires students to come up with design and development ideas based upon the theme which is to be released on 1st March. Students should research the subject area and come up with some design ideas prior to the exam. Preparation materials cannot be taken into the exam itself. SECTION B (90 marks) This section contains a range of design and technology questions: materials, manufacture, processes, health and safety. Students are required to attend all lessons up until their exam. The teacher will take them through a series of planned preparation exercises to help them interpret the exam questions and prepare model answers. The D&T department has invested heavily to support students. Students will find a wealth of support materials on www.technologystudent.com and bbc.bitesize. as well as after school sessions which are run by staff to provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and further the development of their subject knowledge. Independent learning and revision is the key to success.


Subject: ICT


Course Content: This GCSE is made up of two units to give a Single Award GCSE. It has one exam paper, Living in a Digital World worth 40% of the total marks, and one controlled assessment, Using Digital Tools (coursework) work 60%. Unit 1 – students explore how digital technology impacts on the lives of individuals, organisation and society. Students learn about current and emerging digital technologies and the issues raised by their use in a range of contexts. Unit 2 – This is a practical unit. They work with a range of digital tools and techniques to produce effective ICT solutions in a range of contexts.

Date of examination 17th May (am) 1 hour 30 mins

Coursework still to be completed: Yes

Dates for Coursework completion: 1st February 2017

Subject: Resistant Materials

Exam Syllabus AQA Design & Technology (Resistant Materials)

Date of exam: 16th June (am)

Tier: All students sit one tier of entry

Paper Number: 45601



The exam has 2 sections (total 120 marks.) SECTION A (30 marks) This section requires students to come up with design and development ideas based upon the theme which is to be released on 1st March. Students should research the subject area and come up with some design ideas prior to the exam. Preparation materials cannot be taken into the exam itself. SECTION B (90 marks) This section contains a range of design and technology questions: materials, manufacture, processes, health and safety. Students are required to attend all lessons up until their exam. The teacher will take them through a series of planned preparation exercises to help them interpret the exam questions and prepare model answers. The D&T department has invested heavily to support students. Students will find a wealth of support materials on www.technologystudent.com and bbc.bitesize. as well as after school sessions which are run by staff to provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and further the development of their subject knowledge. Independent learning and revision is the key to success.


Subject: Geography Exam Syllabus OCR Syllabus B

Date of exam: 22nd May (pm)

Tier: Higher

Paper Number: B561/02

Length of exam: 1 hour 30 mins


Sustainable decision making paper Topics

Population

Settlement


Tier: Higher

Paper Number: B563/02

Length of exam: 1 hour 45 mins


Key Themes Paper Themes

Rivers and Coasts

Natural Hazards

Economic development This paper requires students to learn 18 case studies.

Subject: History

Exam Syllabus OCR Schools History Project

Date of exam: 5th June (am) 14th June (pm)

Tier: N/A N/A

Paper Number: A954/13 A955/21

Length of exam: 2 hours 1 hour 30 mins


Source Analysis and own knowledge questions Section A - Study in Development Medicine through time

Prehistoric

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Greece

Ancient Rome

Middle Ages/Medieval

Renaissance

Modern: surgery, women, prevention and culture and public health

Section B – Study in depth American West 1840-1895

The great plains

The plains Indians/native Americans

Mountain men

Early migrants/pioneers

Gold miners

Cattle industry

Law and order problems

Government policy towards the Indians through to their final destruction

Source Analysis skills including extended writing Public Health in Britain 1800 - 1914

Subject: RE Exam Syllabus AQA specification B

Date of exam: Unit 2 17th May (pm) Unit 3 23rd May (pm)

Tier: N/A

Paper Number: 4057 (Full course) 4056 (Short course)

Length of exam: Paper 1 - 1 ½ hours Paper 2 – 1 ½ hours


Paper 1: Animal Rights, Prejudice, Early life (abortion), War & Peace. Paper 2: Matters of Life (medical ethics), Elderly and Death, Crime & Punishment, World Poverty, Rich and poor in British Society. Each paper will have a series of questions on each topic and will carry 50% of the final mark.

Subject: French Exam Syllabus WJEC

Date of exam: Tuesday 16th May AM Tuesday 16th May AM

Tier: Foundation Listening Higher Listening

Paper Number: 4221/01 4221/02

Length of exam: 30 minutes + 5 minutes reading time 40 minutes + 5 minutes reading time


Listening. All topics covered. Multiple choice questions and answers in English. Concentrate on key words, but listen AROUND the word for detailed understanding.

Listening. All topics covered. Multiple choice questions and answers in English. Concentrate on key words, but listen AROUND the word for detailed understanding in more complex sentences.

Date of exam: Tuesday 16th May AM Tuesday 16th May AM

Tier: Foundation Reading Higher Reading

Paper Number: 4223/01 4223/02

Length of exam: 35 minutes 50 minutes


Reading. All topics covered. Multiple choice questions and answers in English. Concentrate on key words, but read AROUND the word for detailed understanding.

Reading. All topics covered. Multiple choice questions and answers in English. Concentrate on key words, but read AROUND the word for detailed understanding in more complex sentences.

Dates for Controlled Assessment completion: 20th February 2017

Subject: Music

Exam Syllabus WJEC


Tier: N/A

Paper Number: 4413

Length of exam: 1 ½ hours


Five areas of study

Instrumental music

Fusions – world music

Popular music

Music for stage and screen

Music in Wales Use BBC Bitesize

Subject: Physical Education Exam Syllabus OCR Cambridge National Level 2 in Sports Studies

Date of exam: Exam completed 13th January Re-sit date if necessary 19th June

Tier: N/A

Paper Number: R051/01

Length of exam: 1 hour


All GCSE PE theory. Multiple choice answers, short and long answers. Analysis of a video clip and questions on the clip related to the course content. Students must learn all basic facts, definitions, concepts etc. Other answers need students to give specific example from sporting activities. 6 mark questions will need a more specific format to score highly, teachers will be covering this extensively.

Coursework units Developing skills

Leadership in sport

Developing skills in outdoor and adventurous activities

Subject: Drama


Date of exam: TBC in March

Tier: N/A

Paper Number: 2DR01

Length of exam: 5 minutes per student. Group of 3 – 15 mins, group of 4 – 20 mins, group of 5 – 25 mins


Complete a performance of a script for the external examiner. Students will need to be work perfect, confident and precise. Go to: www.dramaresource.com /12-tips-for-learning-lines and : www.actionthis.tv

http://www.actionthis.tv/

countdown to success - home - sir john talbot’s · countdown to success ... subject: mathematics...

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