January 2020 How can I support my child through their GCSE exams? - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Year 11 Parents Evening - 23 rd January 2020 How can I support my child through their GCSE exams? Support and advice with strategies to help

Summary of the session • Strategies parents can use to support • Revision essentials – reminders, tips and techniques • Information about Apps, online resources and supporting with social media use • Next steps and key dates

Our role as parents and the challenges we face: Sur Surely th they I don’t understand sh should ldn’t be Whenever I try go going ing out t when n to help or offer what they need to do. their th ir exams are re advice it just How can I help them? turns into a co coming up slanging match They always leave everything to the last minute then it’s All they seem to be stresses and strops when doing is working – deadlines approach surely there needs to be a balance?

Our role as parents and the challenges we face: • 86% of the general public believe that support from parents is the most important way to improve • School age children spend 70% of waking hours outside of school • Parent involvement is a significant factor in both accelerated and sustained academic performance • Family participation is twice as predictive as socio-economic status

Our role as parents and the challenges we face: • An Attendance officer – provide the best preparation for exams by ensuring your child is in school and attending lessons Progress 8 against Attendance 1 0.5 0 95-100 90-95 80-90 70-80 <70 -0.5 -1 -1.5 -2 -2.5 -3

Our role as parents and the challenges we face: • A project manager – working with your child to agree a revision timetable, creating the space and providing the equipment needed • Keep informed and stay positive • Help establish routines and organisation • Focus and build on your child’s strengths • Expect and praise progress and effort

Our role as parents and the challenges we face: • A go between – keeping in contact with your child’s form tutor/ teachers and asking the questions if your child can’t or won’t • Attend meetings and sessions at school • Keep in regular contact with teachers • Look at the curriculum documents on the website • Support with revision materials

Our role as parents and the challenges we face: • A personal coach and support – supporting with and managing your child's wellbeing, diet and health Eating breakfast is vital – provides the fuel for the oxidation of glucose • As many as 31% of adolescents skip breakfast • Students who eat a good breakfast are twice as likely to do well in tests • Eating breakfast is healthier and has been linked to improved memory, concentration, lower stress levels and happier mood

Our role as parents and the challenges we face: • As a personal coach and support – supporting with and managing your child's wellbeing, diet and health Getting enough quality sleep • NHS recommend teenagers get between 8 – 9 hours sleep on a school night. • For quality sleep: • Avoid technology late into the evening • Use blue light blocker on your phone • Create a sleep friendly bedroom • Listen to quiet music or audio books

Our role as parents and the challenges we face: • As a personal coach and support – supporting with and managing your child's wellbeing, diet and health Mental Wellbeing • It is crucially important to look after your own mental wellbeing during revision and exam time • Tips to look after yourself • Find something to do that ‘forces’ you to step away from revision • Talk about it – share worries/concerns with friends • Separate rest and revision spaces • Speak to teachers/ write down thoughts/feelings

Our role as parents and the challenges we face: • Ensure your child has the resources and environment to do everything they are being asked to do by their teachers • Monitor and motivate their revision timetable – once they begin, it will become easier • Motivate on the days they don’t want to do it • Reward in ways that encourage, motivate and focus on the revision achieved • Help establish good routines

It’s not too late to turn things around • Students have their mock results • All students have had a 1:1 interview with Ms Davies • What are the lessons that you have learnt from these? • Were there any surprises? Have you talked about why this may have been the case? • Now is the time to set targets, plan, prioritise and get revising

It’s not too late to turn things around • 14 more school weeks till the major exam weeks start (practical exams start before then) • 75 more school days • 364 lessons • Are you making the most of every lesson? Are you using this time as wisely as you can?

Us Using So Social Me Media Wis Wisely ely

Revision Timetables • Plan your week – revision in the evening, weekends, until the last exam • Decide on which lessons need more work (are weaker) and give them more time • Plan a revision timetable that fits this. – be specific about what you are going to revise. Mix it up. • Plan for breaks/ time for hobbies - plan in rewards • Share the timetable with your family to get them to support you • Plan for breaks and make sure that you have rewards in place for meeting this timetable

Think through your timetable • Colour code – make it something you can easily understand that you need to follow • Block in time to unwind and relax (Seeing friends, favourite TV programme, sport etc.) • Be realistic – break it into manageable chunks • Put the timetable somewhere really obvious and share it with someone who can help hold you to account • Set alarms/ reminders to help you stick to your plan • Reward yourself for achieving mileposts

https://getrevising.co.uk/planner

Re Retrieval Practice

Year 11 Curriculum Journey– Key Milestones • Thursday 23rd January Parent’s Evening/ Information Evening • Week beginning 3 rd February 6 th Form Interviews Begin • Monday 3 rd February (AM) BTEC Business Exam • Tuesday 4 th Feb (PM) BTEC Digital Arts Exam • Wednesday 18 th March GCSE Drama Exam • Tuesday 31 st March GCSE Dance Exam • Monday 23 rd March Pre Public Exams • Monday 6 th April Easter Revision begins • Monday 20 th April GCSE Art Exam starts • Monday 11 th May GCSE exams begin (First exam is RE) • Friday 26 th June` Year 11 Boat Party

The Journey to 6 th Form at Chestnut Grove Year 11 Spring Term: • Year 11 guidance interview in the Spring Term 2020 - You are here Year 11 Summer Term: • Offered a ‘conditional’ place and attend the Induction Day in late June, after the GCSEs Year 12 Enrolment: • Students, with their parents, attend an enrolment interview in early September • Sixth Form Team will use prior attainment data to place students on appropriate courses, matching ability to entry requirements • Typically, most students at Level 3 will study 3 A levels or equivalents (see course guide) All students complete the six week ‘Probationary Passport’ to develop the routines of study for success

Take Control of Your Future • Thank you for being here this evening • Listen carefully to the advice the teachers will share • Ask questions that you need to ask to move your learning forward • Start the conversation