YEAR 11 MOCK EXAMSMonday 9th December to Friday 20th December 2013

MOCK EXAMSMonday 9th December - Friday 20th December 2013

All pupils will have mock examinations over two weeks

Mock Results Day – Wednesday 15th January

WHY HAVE MOCK EXAMS? Preparing them for their GCSE exams in the summer

They will get into the habit of revising and understand how long it takes them to revise everything.

They will have practice in sitting a lot of exams in a short period of time.

They will get used to sitting in the hall under exam conditions – hopefully they will be less nervous next time.

The results will give teachers, pupils and parents a clear indicator of what grade they are currently achieving.

MOCK EXAMS Pupils should be revising at home

The best revision methods involve being active:

Writing revision notes, discussing topics with someone else, testing themselves, revision websites, trying past exam papers.

Pupils should have something to show for it at the end.

Passive revision such as just reading through notes or a textbook won’t help them to understand and they will probably get bored.

PARENTAL HELP DURING REVISION Talk to your son/ daughter about how you can support them Help them stick to their revision timetable A good balance between revision and social life Support, praise and recognition Provide snacks and drinks Be flexible and sensitive to their needs Get actively involved in the revision process

PARENTAL HELP DURING THE MOCK EXAMS Make sure your son/ daughter goes to bed early

Make sure they have packed their bags and are prepared for the next day

Make sure they eat a good breakfast before they leave the house

Remind your son/ daughter that you still love and value them whatever happens, remind them of strategies for keeping calm and wish them luck

After the exam ask how it went but don’t insist on a long post mortem

Reduce chores around the house to relive the pressure on them

Be sensitive to stress and pressure

Encourage them to be positive and to continue with revision most evenings

WEBSITES FOR PARENTSwww.familylives.org.uk www.parentscentre.gov.uk/www.connexions-direct.com/parentcarer www.projecteducation.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/support_for_you/