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Exam
Preparation
Booklet
 For Parents and
Students 2018-2019
Contents

Motivation………………………………….………………………………… Page 2

GCSE grading structure….………………………………………………… Page 3

Preparing for revision………………………………………………………. Page 4

Revision timetable………………………………………………………….. Page 5 - 6

Course information……………..……………………………….…………. Page 7 - 15

Attendance………………………………………………………………….. Page 16

The exam build-up..………………………………………………………… Page 17

JCQ information for candidates………………………………………… Page 18 -

Exam dates………………………………………………………………….. 23 Page 24

Exam results information………………………………………………….. Page 25

Careers Guidance.………………………………………………………… Page 26

Keeping the Motivation up
Students
▲ Don’t stop going to, or working in, lessons you find hard or dislike – talk to
someone about any difficulties you are having – there is always a solution.

▲ Create a revision schedule if necessary and stick to it – even when you don’t
feel like it. Don’t wait until you are in the mood – the further behind you get,
the less you will be in the mood (agree the schedule with your parents for a
hassle-free life!)

▲ Resist the temptation to bury your head in the sand if things are getting out
of hand – talk to your parents/tutor/teachers/Head of Year.

▲ Ignore what friends and others are doing or saying – you are working for a
better life for YOU now and later – let your friends have the hassle of redoing
coursework or even resitting GCSEs.

Parents
▲ Agree the balance between work and social life and stick to the agreement.
Again, flexibility is the key – if a special night comes up, agree that they can
make up the work at a specified time but aim for consistency where possible.

▲ All students fall behind, feel demotivated or overwhelmed, or struggle with

the balance of social, work and college demands at times. When your
son/daughter feels like this, berating and threatening them will have a
negative effect. Talk to them about the issues, acknowledge their feelings
and adopt a sensible attitude in wanting to find a solution.

▲ Be flexible – use the 80/20 rule. If your son/daughter is sticking to what they
are supposed to be doing 80% of the time, they will be doing alright as long
as enough time was devoted to their revision schedule in the first place.

▲ If your son/daughter asks for your support, encourage them by helping them
to see the difficulties in perspective. Teenagers can take an all or nothing
‘catastrophic’ approach to difficulties – “I’ve messed up this essay, I might as
well give up.”
Grading Structure for GCSEs
The Government moved away from the familiar system of A*-G grades to a
system of grading with numbers.

In addition to the changes to the structure of the GCSEs, the government has
also raised the expectation of the standard of GCSE that will be considered as
‘good pass’ from a C to a new grade 5.
Preparing for Revision
Planning
▲ Start revision early. The sooner you start the less you will have to do each day
and the less stressed out you will be.
▲ The most important thing is to make a realistic revision timetable that you will
stick to.
▲ Get one good revision book or aid for every subject (check it is for the correct
exam board). They do much of the initial work for you by breaking the subject
down into ‘do-able’ chunks. Use websites advised by your teachers as they
often have video support that can act as a teacher working through a topic with
you.
▲ Start in good time – leave it too late and you will start panicking.
▲ Plan to revise specific topics or aspects of a subject – for example, not just
science, but human systems, or waves, or chemical reactions or electricity.
▲ When revising during the evenings, plan 1 or 2 subjects only. Leave some time
for relaxation.

Doing the revision

▲ Use the analysis from assessments in class to revise the correct topics. Don’t
simply do the stuff you find easy to con yourself into thinking you’re improving
your grade.
▲ When your teachers tell you about exam technique, try them all out to see
which one will work for you best (it might even be the one you thought wouldn’t
work).
The key thing is to reduce the notes you work from to a single A4 by the night
before the exam.
▲ Complete past paper questions.
▲ Have a start and finish time – and stick to it!
▲ Don’t waste time struggling – note down anything you are finding hard and take
it to your next lesson.
▲ Make yourself start however much you don’t want to – the hardest bit is over
with then.

Common misconceptions
▲ One of the biggest mistakes that students make is not allowing enough time for
revision. This usually results in demotivation and the attitude that there is no
point in doing anything as the task is too big. You should be revising from now
until the summer!
▲ IT IS NEVER TOO LATE UNTIL YOU ENTER THE EXAM ROOM – with revision, a
little knowledge is better than none at all and could make the difference
between a pass and fail.
▲ It doesn’t matter how good you are at a subject: if you don’t revise you WILL
NOT achieve your best.
Revision Timetable – Example
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
9am
10am English

11am Science Science

12noon Drama

1pm History

2pm
3p 7pm
m 8pm
4p 9pm
m
5p
m
6p
m
Drama

Maths

Media
Revision timetable
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
9am
10am
11am
12noon
1pm
2pm
3pm
4pm
5pm
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm
 Year 11 Course Information
Subject Exam Board and Exam Recommended resources
information
specification
Biology AQA (8461) Paper 1: Topics 1-4 BBC bitesize
assessed, 1hour 45 http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z9ddmp3
http://www.aqa.or minutes long.
g.uk/subjects/scien Worth 50% of the s-cool revision
ce/gcse/biology- GCSE. http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/biology
8461
Paper 2: Topics 5-7 AQA GCSE Revision Biology, Collins, by Ian Honeysett.
assessed, 1hour 45
minutes long. CGP GCSE Combined Science for AQA (Grade 9-1): The
Worth 50% of the revision guide (Higher Level) and Exam Practise Workbook
GCSE. (Higher Level).
AQA Biology Third edition, Oxford University Press, by

Gemma Young.
Revision guides are available to purchase through parent

pay and school finance.

Chemistry AQA (8462) Paper 1: Topics 1-4 Doddle

assessed, 1hour 45 http://www.doddlelearn.co.uk/science
http://www.aqa.or minutes long.
g.uk/subjects/scien Worth 50% of the BBC Bitesize
ce/gcse/chemistry- GCSE. http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zs6hvcw
8462
Paper 2: Topics 5-7 s-cool revision
assessed, 1hour 45 http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/chemistry
minutes long.
Worth 50% of the Revision Guides and Workbooks
GCSE https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_gcse_scienc
e_new.books_gcse_chemistry?
range=new#AQA
AQA GCSE Chemistry (Third Edition) Lawrie Ryan

Revision guides are available to purchase through parent

pay and school finance.

Physics AQA (8463) Paper 1: Topics 1-4 Doddle

assessed, 1hour 45 http://www.doddlelearn.co.uk/science
minutes long.
Worth 50% of the BBC Bitesize
GCSE. http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpm6fg8
Paper 2: Topics 5-7

assessed, 1hour 45 s-cool revision

minutes long. http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/physics
Worth 50% of the
GCSE Revision Guides and Workbooks
https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_gcse_scienc
e_new.books_gcse_physics?range=new#AQA
AQA GCSE Physics (Third Edition) Jim Breithaupt

Revision guides are available to purchase through parent

pay and school finance.

Combined AQA Combined Biology Paper 1 Doddle

Science Science Trilogy Topics 1–4 http://www.doddlelearn.co.uk/science
(8464) Written exam: 1
hour 15 16.7% of BBC Bitesize
http://www.aqa.or GCSE http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zrkw2hv
g.uk/subjects/scien
 Year 11 Course Information
ce/gcse/combined
-science-trilogy- Biology Paper 2 s-cool revision
8464 Topics 5–7 http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/biology
Written exam: 1 http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/chemistry
hour 15 minutes http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/physics
16.7% of GCSE
Revision Guides and Workbooks
Chemistry Paper 1 https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_gcse_scienc
Topics 8–12 e_combined#Combined Science
Written exam: 1 (Select AQA books)
hour 15 minutes
16.7% of GCSE AQA GCSE Combined Science
Biology – Lawrie Ryan
Chemistry Paper 2 Chemistry – Lawrie Ryan
Topics 13–17 Physics – Jim Breithaupt
Written exam: 1
hour 15 minutes Revision guides are available to purchase through parent
16.7% of GCSE pay and school finance.
Physics Paper 1

Topics 18–21
Written exam: 1
hour 15 minutes
16.7% of GCSE
Physics Paper 2

Topics 22–24
Written exam: 1
hour 15 minutes
16.7% of GCSE.

English AQA Language: Depending on the texts that each class have studied:
Paper 1: 50% of
GCSE. 1 hour 45 An Inspector Calls GCSE York notes
mins. The Merchant of Venice GCSE York notes
Romeo & Juliet GCSE York notes
Paper 2: 50% of Dr.Jekyll and Mr Hyde York notes
GCSE. I hour 45 Great Expectations York notes
mins. AQA Power and Conflict Poetry on GCSE Bitesize
Literature: Revise AQA GCSE English

Paper 1: 40% of New GCSE English Language AQA Complete Revision &
GCSE. I hour 45 Practice
mins.
Mr Bruff YouTube revision videos
Paper 2: 60% of
GCSE. 2 hours 15 Language:
mins. https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english
-
language-8700/assessment-
resources
Literature:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english
-
literature-8702/assessment-resources

Maths AQA (8300) Paper 1: Non- All students must have a Scientific Calculator (these can
calculator, be purchased from the Maths department for £7.00 each.)
http://www.aqa.or All topics assessed.
g.uk/subjects/mat 1hour 30 minutes BBC Bitesize
h
ematics/gcse/math long. http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z38pycw
ematics-8300 80 Marks.
Worth 33.3% of the Doddle
GCSE. https://www.doddlelearn.co.uk/maths
 Year 11 Course Information
Paper 2: Calculator, Corbett Maths
All topics assessed. https://corbettmaths.com/
1hour 30 minutes
long. Mymaths
80 Marks. https://mymaths.com
Worth 33.3% of the
GCSE.
Paper 3: Calculator,

All topics assessed.

1hour 30 minutes
long.
80 Marks.
Worth 33.3% of the
GCSE

Music OCR Listening Paper: Past papers:

Written paper with http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-music-j536-from-
http://www.ocr.org. CD. 1 hour and 40 2016
/
uk/qualifications/gc minutes. Aural
se-music-j536-from- recognition and BBC Bitesize
2016 Context/unheard/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpf3cdm
/
unfamiliar music ABRSM
from Areas of Study The AB Guide to Music Theory Vol 1
2, 3, 4 & 5. Worth
40% of the GCSE. New GCSE Music OCR Complete Revision & Practice (with
Audio CD) - for the Grade 9-1 Course.

Music RSL Externally Assessed Specification:

Music Practitioners Controlled https://www.rslawards.com/vocational/music-practitioners
Level 2 Assessment 6 weeks
Performance (40%) Radio 1 Live Lounge
Live Music http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01029mq
Performance. Plan,
perform and reflect Live Music Performances
on 15 minute live www.youtube.com
performance.

History OCR History B (SHP) Exams will be We have yet to find a revision guide that we are ready to
taken
J411 in Summer of recommend.
2019
Component 1 40%
of total marks – 1 We do have internal produced revision guides, these can
hour and 45 minute be found in the shared area as electronic copies or hard
examination on copies can be purchased. Please see your History teacher
Crime and for details.
Punishment 1250 to
present and the The following existing websites are of use:
Norman Conquest http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/z3gg87h/resourc
1065 to 1087 es/1 a selection of video clips linked to Crime and
Component 2 20% Punishment
of total marks – 1
hour examination http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/z44cwmn/resourc
on the changing es/1 a selection of video clips linked to the Norman
nature of a local Conquest
historical site
Component 3 40% http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zv3v4wx a
of total marks – 1
selection of video clips linked to the America West in the
hour and 45 minute
19th century
examination on
America 1789-1900 http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zcqs6fr includes
and Nazi Germany
information on Germany outside the time period being
1933 to 1945 studied but also covers the 1933-1945 period
 Year 11 Course Information
Drama EDEXCEL Drama Component 1: BBC bitesize
(1DR0) Practical http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zbckjxs
http://qualifications. exploration of a
pearson.com/en/q theme Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Drama Student Book
with
ualifications/edexc supporting written Publisher: Pearson
el-gcses/drama- portfolio 40% of the Author: Melissa Jones,Phil Cleaves
2016.html GCSE ISBN: 9781292150680
Component 2:

Performance exam
of 2 text extracts
20% of the GCSE
Component 3:

written exam based

upon a text and a
live theatre review
40% of the GCSE

Media Eduqus (previously Paper 1: 1hour 30 BBC bitesize

Studies WJEC in England) minutes long. http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/ztnygk7
Worth 40% of the
https://www.eduqa GCSE. Media Know all
s.co.uk/qualification http://www.mediaknowall.com/gcse/gcse.php
s/media- Paper 2: 1 hour 30
studies/gcse/ minutes CGP GCSE Media Studies Revision Guide Paperback
.
Worth 30% of the 24 Aug 2005
GCSE by CGP Books
Coursework WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Media Studies

Worth 30% of the Author Hayley Sheard

GCSE. ISBN-13: 9781911208488

BTEC Sport Edexcel Coursework worth http://revisionworld.com/gcse-revision/pe-physical-

75%, examination education
worth 25% on four
different units: http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/pe
www.s-cool.co.uk
Unit 1 – Fitness
for
Sport and Exercise
Unit 2 – Practical

Sports Performance
Unit 5 – Training for

Personal Fitness
Unit 6 – Leading

Sports Activities

BTEC Dance Edexcel Component 1-

exploring the Students will be studying works by:
http://qualifications performing arts
.
pearson.com/cont (30% David Bentley - Still life at the penguin cafe Christopher
)
ent/dam/pdf/btec- Bruce - Shadows Lucy Bennett - Artificial things Kendrick
tec- Component 2- H2O - boy blue, Emancipation of expressionism
awards/performing- Developing skills
arts/2017/teaching- and techniques
and-learning/First- (30%
)
Look_Guide__BTEC_
Tech_Award_in_Perf Component 3-
orming_Arts.pdf Performing to a
brief.
(40%)
 Year 11 Course Information
Two components

assessed internally,
one component
assessed externally.

Sports OCR Physical Two Units Theory Websites

Science Education (60%) Practical & http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/physical-education
AEP (40%)
J587 http://revisionworld.com/gcse-revision/pe-physical-
Theory: - education
Paper 1
1 hour (30%) http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/pe
Physical factors www.s-cool.co.uk
affecting
Performance http://www.teachpe.com/flash_cards_gcse.php
Paper 2 http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/znyb4wx

1 hour (30%)
Socio-cultural www.brianmac.co.uk
influences and
Sports Psychology www.interactivepe.co.uk
Performance in www.ocr.org.uk

physical
Education (three
Sports ) 30%
Analysing and
Evaluating
Performance (10%)

Food WJEC EDUQAS Component 1 CGP Food Preparation and Nutrition revision guide.
Preparation 601/8093/6 Principles of Food Collins GCSE revision Food preparation and Nutrition
and Nutrition Preparation and Food Preparation and Nutrition Ellis, Hill, Jones Illuminate.
Nutrition.
1 hour 45 minutes Food Preparation & Nutrition Helen Buckland Hodder
50% education.
Component 2 NEA www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry

Assessment 1 - Food www.foodlink.org.u

k
Investigation 15 % www.bbc.co.uk/food/techniques
8-10 hours
Assessment 2 - Food
preparation
assessment 12
hours
(3hrs Assessed
Practical exam)
35%

BTEC Edexcel Unit 3 – Health and Pearson BTEC First Engineering course text book.
Engineering (600/4788/4) Safety in
Engineering http://www.technologystudent.com/
http://qualifications Coursework – 25%
.
pearson.com/en/q GCSE Bitesize (Research)
ualifications/btec- Unit 2 – http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zmhg9j6
firsts/engineering- Investigating an
2012-nqf.html Engineered Product
Coursework – 25%
Unit 1 – The

Engineered World
Online Exam – 25%
 Year 11 Course Information
Unit 6 – Computer
Aided Engineering
Coursework – 25%

Design & AQA (8552) Paper 1: Written A Design and Technology Site
Technology http://www.aqa.or Paper http://www.technologystudent.com/
GCSE g.uk/subjects/desig 50% of total marks
n-and- 2 hours long. BBC - Schools Ages 11-16 - Design And Technology Site
technology/gcse/d
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zybc87h
esign-and- Non-exam
technology-8552 assessment Revision Guide - Design-And-Technology-On-The-Web
(NEA):
Designing and
making project. http://www.design-technology.info/home.htm
50% of total marks.
Approximately 35 Collins – AQA GCSE Design & Technology: All-in-One
hours work.
Revision and Practice
Consists of a single
design and make All students will be issued with a copy of this book for
home
activity, selected use. Please keep the book at home and return after the
from a range of final examination.
contextual
challenges released PG Online – AQA GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology ISBN:
by AQA on 1 June
2018. 978-1-910523-10-0

Art and Edexcel Component 1 – http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/art/

Photography personal portfolio
http://qualifications (coursework) - 60% http://www.studentartguide.com/
.
pearson.com/en/q of final grade.
ualifications/edexc http://www.juliastubbs.co.uk/exemplar-material/gcse-
el-gcses/art-and- exemplar-material-1.html
design-
2016.html

French and AQA Reading, Listening, FRENC

H
Spanish writing and Pearson AQA GCSE French/Spanish revision guides.
speaking 25% each.
New GCSE French AQA Complete Revision & Practice
One end of course (with CD & Online Edition) - Grade 9-1 Course (CGP GCSE
exam. Spanish 9-1 Revision)12 Dec 2016 by CGP Books
www.linguascope.com

Username: thespires
Password: merci
You choose the Intermediate Spanish, then choose any
topic and watch videos, practise with vocabulary games
and grammar exercises.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebite
size/
Excellent website provided by the BBC, organized by skill
(e.g. Reading or Listening) and then by topic
http://www.wildfrench.co.uk/GCSEPapers/paperslist.
htm
Edexcel French GCSE Past Papers
(the topics are very similar to OCR)
http://www.ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk/07-langcoll/02-
MFL-
resources.shtml
A Surrey secondary school’s website with games and
listening activities.
Try the interactive quizzes.
http://zut.languageskills.co.uk/intermediate/year
10.html
French GCSE revision practice available after 4pm for free
 Year 11 Course Information
http://www.revisioncentre.co.uk/gcse/french/index
.html
French GCSE general revision site with revision advice
http://www.atantot-extra.co.uk/

Basic vocabulary builder including many games in

French
http://www.tv5monde.com/index
.php
Watch French TV
http://www.languagesonline.org.uk/

French: grammar, topics and vocabulary practice

SPANISH

New GCSE Spanish AQA Complete Revision & Practice

(with CD & Online Edition) - Grade 9-1 Course (CGP
GCSE
Spanish 9-1 Revision)12 Dec 2016 by CGP Books
www.linguascope.com

Username: thespires
Password: merci
You choose the Intermediate Spanish, then choose any
topic and watch videos, practise with vocabulary games
and grammar exercises.
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize

Organised by skill (e.g., Reading or Listening) and then

by
topic. Do the Foundation and the Higher, regardless of
which one you will take – it’s all good practice!
www.asisehace.net
Choose the GCSE topics.
www.languagesonline.org.uk

Grammar, topics and vocabulary practice

www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish

Lots of different activities, at different levels, to choose

from.
Spanish Video
Opportunities
www.bbc.co.uk/languages.spanish/mividaloca/index.shtm
l
www.lingus.tv
Spanish
news
http://es.euronews.co
m
Spanish radio or music for
learners
http://radiolingua.com/cbs-step-1/
http://www.sonicomuiscia.com/

Geography AQA Exam components Assessment materials:

https://www.aqa.or Living with the https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geogr

g.uk/subjects/geogr physical aphy-8035/assessment-

resources
aphy/gcse/geogra environment
phy- (35%) BBC Bitesize Geography Revision:
8035
1hr 30mins exam https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/examspecs/zy3ptyc
Challenges in the Time for Geography Revision and exam preparation

human videos:
environment
 Year 11 Course Information
(35%) https://timeforgeography.co.uk/
1hr 30mins exam GCSE 9-1 AQA Endorsed textbook (Hodder):

Geographical https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/geography/gcse/aq

applications a
1hr 15mins (30%) CGP GCSE 9-1 AQA Geography Complete Revision Guide:

https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Parent/whoAreYou.book_GA

S41

Computer Edexcel GCSE Component 1: Specification

Science Computer Science Principles of https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edex
(9-1) Computer Science cel-gcses/computer-science-2016.html
Written examination
paper - 1hr 40mins
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Computer Science
Worth 50% of Student Book
qualification ISBN 9781292125886
£20.75
Component 2:
Application of Edexcel GCSE Computer Science Revision Guide
Computational ISBN 9781292131207
Thinking. Written £5.99
examination paper.
2 hours. BBC Bitesize
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/z34k7ty
Worth 50% of
qualification
Component 3: Code Cademy
https://www.codecademy.com/
Programming 7 day free trial
Project: 20 hours
programming task Python – free download for programming practice
(not graded) https://www.python.org/downloads/

GCSE Computing Revision Site

https://mrocallaghanedu.wordpress.com/2014/05/10/gcs
e
-computing-revision-materials/

ICT Edexcel Digital Unit 1 Developing As these two units require students to physically create a
Applications (CIDA) Web Products web page and web products, there are no recommended
textbooks. However the skills students will need to show
Unit 2 Creative and the products they will need to create can be found in
Multimedia the specification (refer to Unit 1 and Unit 2 only).
chrome-

extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/http
s://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/Digital-
Applications/CiDA/2012/Specification-and-sample-
assessments/9781446938645_CIDA_L2_ISSUE_3.pdf

Business Edexcel GCSE Paper 1: BBC Bitesize

Studies Business Investigating Small http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
Business.
Tutor2U
Worth 50% of http://www.tutor2u.net/busines
s
qualification. This is an A-Level site generally but also has a GCSE /
iGCSE
section
Year 11 Course Information
Paper 2: Building a Business Education Online
Business. http://www.businessed.co.uk/
Revision notes and games / activities designed to test
your
Worth 50% of knowledge.
qualification
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Business by Ian Marcouse
ISBN 978-1-4718-9935-5
£22.99 (full textbook).
Revision Guides:

Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1)

ISBN: 978-1292190716
£5.99
Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Business Revision Workbook

ISBN: 978-1292190709
£5.99
CGP GCSE Business 9-1 Revision

ISBN: 978-1782946908
£5.99
Attendance
Most people would be delighted with 90% in an exam. However when it comes to
attendance this means you would miss one out of every 10 days of college. Over a
whole academic year this equates to a month off college. This will obviously affect
your final grade.

Research suggests that missing one day out of 10 on average can lead to a whole
GCSE grade drop at the end of the year.

Even small drops in attendance have a negative effect on GCSE grades as this
graph shows:

At present, there are several Year 11 students missing college for routine doctor or
dentist appointments. All GPs and dentists offer appointments until at least 5 pm
and often later. Given that the College day finishes at 2:50 pm, it should be possible
to schedule appointments after the college day as every lesson missed is
important.
Students: The Build-up to the Exam
Preparing Well
▲ Know your exam timetable and make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes
early.
▲ Pack all the equipment you need for the exam in a clear pencil case, ready
for when you need it. Remember you will need to write in BLACK BIRO (not
gel pen). It is a good idea to bring spares as well.
▲ A calculator, ruler, pencil, eraser, compass or protractor etc. may be required
for the exam, so plan ahead and remember to pack these items. It is worth
writing the equipment you will need for each exam on to your exam
timetable to help you prepare.
▲ Leave your mobile phone/smartwatch at home. Remember you will be
disqualified if you take them into an exam, even if they are switched off.

Sleep, Eat and Drink

▲ Make sure you get plenty of sleep in the build up to exams. They are very
tiring!
▲ Allow time for your brain to wake up – have a shower, eat breakfast. Take a
snack with you if you think you will need it.
▲ Make sure you drink plenty of water: dehydration causes you to become tired
and reduces your attention span.

During the Exam

▲ Don’t forget that it is natural to be nervous.
▲ If your mind goes blank, don’t worry. Look at the question again and write
down some notes. This should get your brain thinking again.
▲ Try and keep to a planned time scale for each question/section of the paper.
▲ ALWAYS check your work through at the end (time allowing). Vital marks can
be gained if you spot little errors you have made.

Parents
▲ Support your child by ensuring they keep to a sensible routine throughout
the exam period. Food, drink and rest are vital to keep them energised.
▲ Help their preparation by talking through the exam with them. Act as a
question master for a quiz, or simply help them pack their equipment for the
morning.
▲ Remember that only black pens can be used (biro style). Students arriving
unequipped for exams can cause delays for everyone, so please help your
child to be organised with the right equipment.
▲ No potential technological web enabled sources of information, to include
mobile phones and smartwatches, are permitted in exams. It is imperative
they are not brought in. This is not just our rule but one enforced by the Joint
Council for Qualifications (JCQ). They are very likely to disqualify students
from exams if they are found with a mobile phone/smartwatch, even if a
student has simply forgotten it is in their pocket.
Exam Dates 2019
Date Exam Exam Time
13 May Pearson Computer Science am
14 May AQA French am
14 May AQA Biology pm
14 May AQA Combined Science: Biology pm
15 May OCR Physical Education am
15 May AQA English Literature pm
16 May AQA Chemistry am
16 May AQA Combined Science: Chemistry am
16 May Pearson Computer Science pm
17 May AQA French am
17 May Pearson Drama pm
17 May OCR Physical Education pm
21 May AQA Mathematics am
21 May OCR Geography pm
22 May AQA Spanish am
22 May AQA Combined Science: Physics pm
22 May AQA Physics pm
23 May AQA English Literature am
24 May Pearson Business am
24 May AQA Design & Technology pm
3 June OCR History am
3 June WJEC Media Studies pm
4 June AQA English Language am
4 June Pearson Business pm
4 June OCR Music pm
5 June AQA Spanish am
5 June OCR Geography pm
6 June AQA Mathematics am
6 June OCR History pm
7 June AQA English Language am
7 June AQA Combined Science: Biology pm
7 June AQA Biology pm
10 June WJEC Food Preparation and Nutrition am
10 June WJEC Media Studies pm
11 June AQA Mathematics am
11 June OCR History pm
12 June AQA Chemistry am
12 June AQA Combined Science: Chemistry am
13 June OCR Geography am
14 June AQA Physics am
14 June AQA Combined Science: Physics am
26 June Contingency Day: All candidates should be available*
*To be used should sustained national or local disruption arise during the exam series
Results information
Summer 2019 GCSE results
Results will be available from 9 am on Thursday 22 August 2019 in the Sixth Form
Centre.

Anyone wishing to collect results on behalf of a student will need to show ID and a
written letter from the student giving consent for that person to collect their results.
Unfortunately, we cannot give out students’ results to anyone else, including parents,
without this written permission and accompanying identification.
Careers Guidance
Key Events
SMSC lessons - focus on career planning, employability and soft skills required
for successful careers.

Mock Interview Day - working with partners in industry to develop key skills for
the future.

Careers Guidance Meetings - 1:1 Careers Guidance meetings for students and
parents with Ms T Tunnard or Mr D Baker. Students will receive a personalised
career plan following the meeting.

National Careers Week - lots of events to engage young people in their next
steps.

Apprenticeships Information sessions - ‘Next Steps Pathways’ assembly,

with a follow-up session for targeted students expressing an interest in an
apprenticeship.

Sixth Form Open Evening – Thursday 22 November 2018 – 6-8pm - find

out about pathways and courses offered in The Spires College. Taster sessions
run for courses offered in the Sixth Form enable students to see what the subject
is all about before finalising their applications.