Welcome to the Year 11 GCSE Information Evening

1. Welcome to the Year 11 GCSE Information Evening

2. Richmond School – Our values

3. Aiming High 2 Professional Predictions

4. Key messages • When parents and school work together, students succeed • Insist that students work hard • Don’t trust them! • There is no truth in the following and similar myths • - ’revision does not help me’ • - ‘the less I revise, the better I do…’ • - ‘English is a non-revision subject’ • Revision is temporary, results are forever

5. Improving Boys’ Performance in English

6. Hours Graph showing screen usage of Joe (Year 10) in a typical week

7. Tom in Year 13 needs a Grade 6 in English to get into his chosen university. Why did he not achieve his target of a 6? ‘Lazy’; ‘didn’t revise’; ‘didn’t prepare’; ‘thought it would be a walk in the park’. What would he have done differently? ‘Put more effort into Year 11, as it is easier to do that than try to improve later’. His message for current Year 11s? ‘Put the effort in now’

9. What can you do differently? • Follow Stacey Reay on Instagram; she has new ideas and approaches on a daily basis • Look at Mr Bruffon Youtube; his sessions on English are excellent • Use GCSE Pod – particularly for Literature • Actually use those GCP guides you bought!

10. Practise writing skills; writing carries 50% of the marks for English. • Paper 1: writing to describe or narrate: • Choose powerful vocabulary • Structure work carefully • Make your work engaging • Read widely to see how the experts do it! • Paper 2: writing to express a viewpoint: • All of the above, plus • Keep up with current affairs; read about and discuss contentious issues so that you get used to having a view on whatever issue comes up and sharing it.

11. Dos and Don’ts: • Don’t be like Tom and coast through Year 11 • Don’t imagine that English will just go away if you miss a Grade 4 and start an apprenticeship • Don’t over-use screen time

12. Do use online aids like Stacey Reay and Mr Bruff • Do develop your writing skills by reading widely • But above all:

13. ‘Keep up’ • not • ‘Catch up’

15. Good Pass

17. Second PPE w/c 4th February (5th week of term) All Year 11 students take Maths

18. £3

20. £3

21. £7

22. Maths: What parents can do …… • Look at your son’s or daughter’s Mathswatch records and percentages about every two weeks (and do this check with them) • Ensure that they have their own scientific calculator, with their name on, in their school bag. Do this check every 3-4 weeks • Buy the £3 practice papers from the school shop • Do not predict failure (“I could never do Maths therefore ……”) • Praise at each and every opportunity

23. How should you revise for Science exams? Step 1: Study the content Step 2: Practise retrieving knowledge to strengthen recall

24. Step 1: Study the content

25. Step 1: Study the content

26. Step 1: Study the content FreeScienceLessons Seneca

27. Step 2: Practise retrieving knowledge to strengthen recall

28. Step 2: Practise retrieving knowledge to strengthen recall • Cover your answers and try to recall them. • Ask a friend/parent to quiz you on each question. • Try to write down what you remember about a particular topic.

29. Step 2: Practise retrieving knowledge to strengthen recall Answer questions in the workbook the day after studying the topic.

30. Step 2: Practise retrieving knowledge to strengthen recall Tassomai

31. Step 2: Practise retrieving knowledge to strengthen recall Answer questions in Seneca (or Educake). Get instant feedback on your ability to recall.

32. Key points • Studying is not enough on its own – you need to practise retrieval as well. • Find a style of study and retrieval that suits you. • Use online support – some of it is excellent. • Revise a little every day – get into a habit. Start now. • Be realistic. Don’t expect revision to be fun! • There will be Science revision homework tasks every week until the start of the exams.

33. What about the other subjects?

34. What about the other subjects? • Music Intervention will be ramped up on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from January to April, with a specific focus on the composition element.  Students do have to sign up, as there potentially wouldn't be enough computers if everyone came on mass!  • Mr Boyd and Mr Millman will also target students using the planned SIMS system, Please support as necessary. • The sign up sheet is on the door of JG18. 

35. What about the other subjects? D&T and Textiles • use the Blue and White Text/Exercise books • Use the tasks on GCSE Pod • Technology teachers are here most evenings for students to complete practical work too.

36. How can parents and carers help? • Provide a quiet area to study • Limit distractions – phone, TV, games consoles • Create a study plan together • Healthy lifestyle – diet, sleep, exercise, relaxation • Stationery, revision guides • Have a positive mindset.

37. Can having a positive mindset help? • Having a positive mindset definitely helps • Avoid making comments like ‘Well, I wasn’t any good at History…’ • The power of YET • Build up your child’s self-belief.

38. What if my son or daughter says they have nothing to do? • At this stage, there is ALWAYS something to do • We expect students to be working 2 to 3 hours per dayoutside school hours, from now on • The school library is open until 4.30 • This might be a combination of homework tasks, after-school revision sessions and independent revision.

39. I don’t know how to revise • All students have been provided with lots of revision techniques throughout Year 10 and 11 • Revision is hard and, unfortunately, there isn’t a magic formula that works for everyone • Just get stuck in! • Ask your tutor, a teacher or Mrs Weston for advice

40. How long should you study for? • Two to three hours per day • Some students will need to study for shorter periods of time with short rest breaks • Some students will be able to focus for longer periods of time • All students should be aiming to concentrate for longer periods of time

41. What do successful students do? • Have a clear vision of what they want to achieve • Organise their time • Plan their revision • Condense their notes • Make flash-cards, mind-maps and knowledge organisers • Use memory techniques • Test themselves regularly • Push themselves • Ask for help when required • Own their weaknesses and failures

42. What is GCSEPod? • A very effective revision tool • Purchased by the school • School e-mail to log-in • Students set their own password and username • Short videos • www.gcsepod.com

43. How much do GCSEs really matter? • Russell Group Universities often insist on excellent GCSE grades – Grade 6 or above • Those taking the Apprenticeship route need to achieve a Grade 4 or above • Re-sitting is NOT easy

44. What if my child is stressed or anxious? • This is a stressful time for everyone • Some stress and anxiety is completely normal – it shows we care and helps us to get things done • If it all gets too much: • Take a break • Do some exercise • Have some family time • Meet up with friends • Plan some lovely activities for the long Summer • Listen to a Mindfulness podcast or relaxing music • Then get back to work – the feeling of falling behind can be stressful

45. What intervention does the school offer for students? • Specific students are invited to attend intervention • After school • Morning tutor • Learning for Life

46. What is a Passport to Prom? • Our most-effective intervention • It provides an incentive to work • Prom is a reward for hard work • Lasts for 10 weeks • 50 signatures from staff to earn an invitation to Prom, attained by: • Excellent attendance and punctuality • Excellent behaviour for learning • Work hard – on target • Attend intervention when requested

47. When is Richmond School Prom? • Friday, 21st June • £30 • It is held in the school hall • Drinks on arrival, snacks and canapes • Professional photographer