As we approach the summer term we want to make you aware of the upcoming Year 9 examinations. Students will sit end of year exams in English, Mathematics and Science under GCSE exam conditions. This will not only prepare them for the exams themselves, but also for the environment in which they will sit their GCSE papers in the summer of 2020.
We take the examinations very seriously and expect students to show off the progress made so far. Revision will be essential to success and your support in encouraging its completion at home would be much appreciated. Teachers in English, Maths and Science will be advising students what to revise and suggesting effective revision techniques.
The exam schedule is as follows:
Tuesday 1st May
Maths Paper 8:50am (1 hour 30 mins long)
Wednesday 2nd May
English Language 8:50am (1 hour 30 mins long)
Thursday 3rd May
English Literature 12.50pm (1 hour long)
Friday 4th May
Science Paper 8:50am (1 hour 30 mins long)
During the exam week, students are expected to arrive at 8:30 as usual. They should attend each exam in full uniform with the correct equipment for exams including pens, pencils, ruler, protractor, compass and a suitable calculator, kept in a clear container (required under GCSE conditions). Students will be back to normal lessons when not in exams. The timetable for these days will change for the whole school to accommodate break and lunchtimes.
Personalised timetables will follow after the Easter holidays that gives details on rooming and seat number. A number of students have on their timetable “WTM” which stands for Walking Talking Mock. This is a relatively new strategy the College has adopted to help improve the performance of identified students in English, Maths and Science. A Walking Talking Mock aims to address two key issues – motivation and confidence in exams – but with many other additional benefits. It is easier to describe the idea in practice. Students enter and are seated in an examination hall in exactly the same way and under the conditions that they would experience for the real examination. An inspirational subject specialist teacher then guides students through an examination by using a projected image of the examination questions with answers. The teacher will talk through a question or questions giving students thought processes, hints and tips under examination conditions and the students will have a go at answering the
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questions. After a short while the teacher will reveal further guidance and answers before moving on to the next question. This is of course in addition to the same guidance given to all students in class. The numbers and students sitting Walking Talking Mocks will vary at each exam session to reflect current need.
Thank you for your anticipated support with helping your child to fulfil their potential and make a good start to Key Stage 4. Please contact your child’s subject teachers if you have any further questions or concerns.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs C Aitcheson
Acting Principal