Saint Benedict A Catholic Voluntary Academy Year 11 Parents Information Evening Helping Your Child Through GCSE Exams Key Dates Mock Exams Monday 12 th January Tuesday 20 th January for most subjects (see attached timetable) except: Textiles Monday 2 nd December all day Art Friday 5 th December all day GCSE Exams will take place between 11 th May and 24 th June 1 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
Revision help in school Some subjects offer revision sessions/catch up after school. There will be some revision sessions over the Easter Holiday. There will be specific days and session in the run up to the exams Individual subjects may offer sessions after students are on study leave. The academy will have study facilities within school during study leave. Subjects may offer discounted revision guides or suggest web sites (please see below) Many resources are on the school s Boodle site. Online resources include gcsepod - online revision podcasts suitable for PCs, ipads, all phones. These cover most subjects and all exam boards so can be tailored for each student. Further information about these will be published in due course. 2 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
Subject Guidance Below you will find key information for each subject, the exam board and specification, useful websites and recommended revision guides. English Language and English Literature Exam Board AQA English Language Specification 4705 English Literature Specification 9715 Useful resource for Paper 1: Reading and writing non-fiction texts http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/subjects/aqa-4700-4705-w-trb-u01starwnft.pdf 1. Past papers and mark schemes available (http://www.aqa.org.uk/examsadministration/exams-guidance/find-past-papers-and-mark-schemes) Websites: BBC Bitesize English Revision http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zr9d7ty Andrew Moore Revision Website http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/ Revision books available through school at 2.00 per copy order before Christmas Mathematics GCSE Exam board: Edexcel GCSE Mathematics A-course code 1MAO website www.edexcel.com Revision guides: Useful apps: Anything else: Collins (www.wordery.com /GCSE Edexcel Maths Essentials/ 5) CSE Maths revision-get a better grade (Free on the apple app store, 5 star review) Mymaths website is filterable by GCSE tier by selecting either 3 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
Higher or Foundation. Username and password is available for any pupil who wishes to get this Further Maths GCSE AQA Level 2 Further Mathematics 8360 Website www.aqa.org.uk Revision guides: CGP (www.bookdepository.com/aqa Level 2 Certificate in further maths-revision Guide/ 6.53) Anything else: Mymaths is usable under A-Level sections. Religious Education AQA Religious Studies A modules: Unit 3-405003 - Roman Catholicism (ISBN 978 1 4085 0457 4) Unit 4-405004 - Roman Catholic Ethics (ISBN 978 1 4085 0510 6) Unit 7-405007 - Philosophy of Religion (ISBN 978 1 4085 0460 4) Resources for all three modules can be found on the AQA website (www.aqa.org.uk) There are no revision guides available for these modules but there are a large number of resources on Boodle. Resources include revision booklets for each of the chapters studied in the two relevant modules. Pupils will have studied either Unit 3 and Unit 4 or Unit 7 and Unit 4. Science Triple Science GCSEs Exam board: AQA 4401 (Biology) http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-4401 AQA 4402 (Chemistry) http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-4402 AQA 4403 (Physics) http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-4403 Revision materials: All students have access to numerous revision resources on Boodle, accessed via the school website. They also have access to www.kerboodle.com and have been given details of how to access these resources. The username is their first initial and surname, the password is the same as the username unless they have altered it, and the organisation code is iol3. Students can access the e-textbook and numerous revision materials from Kerboodle. Some students find the BBC Bitesize website a very useful resource - http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/. When using BBC Bitesize, they should refer to the sections on AQA Science. 4 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
Exam details: Three Science examinations in May/June for each Science (B1, B2 and B3 for Biology; C1, C2 and C3 for Chemistry; P1, P2 and P3 for Physics). Each of the three examinations carries 25% of the marks for the course. The remaining 25% of marks is the controlled assessment component which has been completed in class. Additional Science GCSE Exam board: AQA Additional Science 4408; http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/additional-science-4408 Revision materials: All students have access to numerous revision resources on Boodle, accessed via the school website. They also have access to www.kerboodle.com and have been given details of how to access these resources. The username is their first initial and surname, the password is the same as the username unless they have altered it, and the organisation code is iol3. Students can access the e-textbook and numerous revision materials from Kerboodle. Some students find the BBC Bitesize website a very useful resource - http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/. When using BBC Bitesize, they should refer to the sections on AQA Science. Exam details: Three Science examinations in June (B2, C2, P2). Each of the three examinations carries 25% of the marks for the AQA Science GCSE. The remaining 25% of marks is the controlled assessment component which has been completed in class. Science GCSE Exam board: AQA Science A 4405; http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/science-a- 4405 Revision materials: All students have access to numerous revision resources on Boodle, accessed via the school website. They also have access to www.kerboodle.com and have been given details of how to access these resources. The username is their first initial and surname, the password is the same as the username unless they have altered it, and the organisation code is iol3. Students can access the e-textbook and numerous revision materials from Kerboodle. Some students find the BBC Bitesize website a very useful resource - http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/. When using BBC Bitesize, they should refer to the sections on AQA Core Science. Exam details: Three Science examinations in June (B1, C1, P1). Each of the three examinations carries 25% of the marks for the AQA Science GCSE. The remaining 25% of marks is the controlled assessment component which has been completed in class. 5 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
BTEC level 2 Applied Science Exam board: Edexcel BTEC Level 2 First Award in Application of Science http://www.edexcel.com/quals/firsts2012/applied-science/pages/default.aspx Revision materials: resources may be accessed via Boodle Exam details: Exam in March contributes 25% of the marks for the course. The rest is portfolio work completed largely in class. GCSE Computer Science AQA 4512 (Computer Science) http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/ict-and-computerscience/gcse/computer-science-4512 Revision materials: All students have access to numerous revision resources on Boodle including exam papers and mark schemes, accessed via the school website. There will be exam revision guides available later in the year. The BBC Bitesize site is also very useful for revision: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z34k7ty Exam details: Theory exam in May/June worth 40% of the final mark. The two controlled assessments completed during year 10 and year 11 are worth 30% each. BTEC ICT Cambridge Nationals (Known in school as Systems Development OR Software Specialist depending on the course students have selected) Exam board: OCR National Certificate in ICT Level 1/2 - J810 http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals-ict-level-1-2-j800-j810-j820/ Revision materials: Class notes for R001 theory work, there is a revision textbook available to purchase. Students can also use bite size http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zqmtsbk Exam details: One hour written theory exam in May/June worth 25% of the students final grade (the other 75% is made up of the three pieces of coursework at 25% each). Drama Exam Board Website OCR http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-drama-j315-from-2009/ Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 From Page to Stage - A581 Drama in the Making A582 From Concept to creation - A583 6 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
Unit 1 was completed last year as a piece of controlled assessment, has been internally marked and will be externally verified (30%) Unit 2 is in the process of completion and will be finished by the beginning of January - this is also a piece of controlled assessment and will be internally marked and externally verified (30%) Unit3 is student response to an external brief provided by the exam board, which will be available to students from January. As part of this unit students will be required to have 12 hours off timetable to create a piece of drama, or write a script which will be presented to an external examiner at the end of the allocated time. (40%) Students have all been given a booklet that I made that talks them through how to structure work in particular the written elements of the course. BTEC FIRST AWARD IN PERFORMING ARTS (ACTING) - EDEXCEL UNIT 1 - Individual Showcase UNIT 2: Preparation, Performance and Production UNIT 5: Musical Theatre Skills What each unit consists of: UNIT 1: For this unit students will be given an externally set brief by Edexcel in which they must choose one question to respond to all practical and written work is then sent off and marked by an external examiner. For this unit, students must do the following: Students will be required to write a letter of application to the fictional company in response to the externally set brief, and demonstrate their chosen skills in either dance, drama or music in two performances each lasting two minutes long. This unit is all completed under controlled assessment and will be completed by May 2015 UNIT 2: Students were required to work as a theatre company and perform an original devised piece of Drama for students in a Primary school. The piece needed to be topical and deal with issues facing the particular age range that they chose. In doing this unit students developed Drama skills as performers and production skills in assigning and completing specific job roles as part of the wider company. A working log book accompanied this performance that tracked and evidenced the process of devising the work, through rehearsals and performance. This work is internally assessed and externally moderated, this was completed in Y10 - however students have got the opportunity to amend their log books in the upcoming months. UNIT 3: Students explore Dance, Drama and Music as three separate art forms to understand how each art form works independently, then they explore how all three work in collaboration as part of the Musical Theatre Genre. 7 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
Students are given a diluted musical and are required to perform it, demonstrating integrated skills in each of the three art forms. The unit is internally assessed and externally moderated and again a working logbook is required to track the students learning journey throughout the process. The course is graded PASS, MERIT, DISTINCTION and DISTINCTION* at a Level 2. WEBSITE: http://www.edexcel.com/quals/firsts2012/performing-arts/pages/default.aspx ON THIS WEBSITE THERE IS A COPY OF THE EXTERNALLY SET EXAM PAPER FOR UNIT 1 Music Exam board/code/spec: Edexcel Music GCSE 2MU01 www.edexcel.org.uk www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music You can help by ensuring your child listens to a wide range of Music, focussing particularly on the 12 pieces in the GCSE anthology. You can test them on their knowledge by asking them about the instruments they can hear, the composers, genres etc. They will also need support ensuring that their coursework is all completed no later than February half term 2015, and that they attend as many revision sessions as possible. Arts and Textiles In both Arts and Textiles pupils will receive their exam paper on the first lesson back after the Christmas holidays. For this reason it is vital that they have completed their controlled assessment portfolio(s). The examination unit has the same basic structure as the previous work i.e. exploring an idea on a given theme but the time is a lot shorter, a main piece has to be completed in a 10 hour (2 day) exam and this unit counts for more marks. For this reason it is vital that pupils work over the next four weeks to complete all outstanding work so that they just focus on the examination unit Modern Foreign Languages Parents can help by helping students to learn vocabulary. You do not have to be a language expert! Simply ask them to spell / say / write out a selection of words on their current topic. French; AQA French / 4665 www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/french/gcse/french-4655 Revision Guide Collins GCSE Essentials - AQA French: Revision Guide (www.collins.co.uk 5.99 ( 2.50 if school orders > students' reimburse) Useful apps: Languages Online (free) (http://www.languagesonline.org.uk) Topical and Grammmatical activities to support in class learning Vocab Express (free to students) www.vocabexpress.com A resource that the Modern Languages Department has paid for so every child can access an interactive, online vocabulary learning 8 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
application which engages students, keeps them actively learning and raises attainment levels. Language teachers have informed pupils of their individual log-in details A mobile phone app is available for practice (download from V.E. website) Also: Collins GCSE Essentials - French: Audio CD www.collins.co.uk RRP 4.99 UK Schools' Price: 2.50[Listening Practice to supplement Revision Guide] Spanish AQA Spanish / 4695 Revision Guide Useful apps: www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/spanish/gcse/spanish-4695 Collins GCSE Essentials - Spanish: Revision Guide www.collins.co.uk 5.99 ( 2.50 if school orders > students' reimburse) Languages Online (free) (http://www.languagesonline.org.uk) Topical and Grammatical activities to support in class learning Vocab Express (free to students) www.vocabexpress.com A resource that the Modern Languages Department has paid for so every child can access an interactive, online vocabulary learning application which engages students, keeps them actively learning and raises attainment levels. Language teachers have informed pupils of their individual log-in details A mobile phone app is available for practice (download from V.E. website) Also: Collins GCSE Essentials - Spanish: Audio CD www.collins.co.uk RRP 4.99 UK Schools' Price: 2.50[Listening Practice to supplement Revision Guide] Geography Exam Board AQA Specification A Information and past papers can be found at http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-a-9030 Useful revision websites - http://www.coolgeography.co.uk/gcse/aqa%20gcse.htm 9 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
http://www.geographyrocks.co.uk/gcse-revision.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ History Exam Board AQA Specification B Information and specimen papers can be found at http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/history/gcse/history-b-9145 Useful revision websites http://www.mrallsophistory.com/revision/ http://schoolhistory.co.uk/ http://www.johndclare.net/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/ An AQA GCSE Modern World History Revision Guide will be made available for pupils to purchase in the near future Psychology Exam Board OCR Information and past papers can be found at http://ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-psychology-j611-from-2012/ Sociology Exam Board AQA Revision Book Other Resources http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/sociology/gcse GCSE Sociology for AQA: Revision Guide and Exam Practice Workbook (Collins GCSE Revision 7.99 Quizlet http://quizlet.com/missbelmore/classes Twitter @StBen_soc Apps on Apple and Android search GCSE Sociology Business Studies GCSE Exam board: AQA Business Studies Revision guide: CGP GCSE AQA Business Studies the Revision Guide. ISBN no. 978 1 84762 317 1 10 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
Textbook: AQA GCSE Business Studies (Malcolm Surridge & Andrew Gillespie) ISBN no. 978 1 84489 414 7 BTEC Business Studies First Award Exam board: Edexcel BTEC Business Studies First Award Textbook: BTEC First Award Business. ISBN no. 978 1 4479 3556 8 Construction Edexcel BTEC Level 1/ Level 2 First Award in Construction and the Built Environment QN 600/6817/6 Website: http://www.edexcel.com Product Design AQA Design and Technology: Product Design (4555) Website www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/gcse/design-andtechnology-product-design-4555 Revision guide www.collins.co.uk - Collins Revision GCSE D&T Product Design Essentials ISBN 978-1-906415-55-6 Price 5.99 Revision websites: BBC Bitesize Design and Technology www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zvg4d2p Technology Student www.technologystudent.com BTEC Engineering Exam Board Edexcel Website www.edexcel.com/quals/firsts2012/engineering/pages/default.aspx Revision guide BTEC First Award Engineering Student Book ISBN 9781446905630 Price 17.99 Revision websites: BBC Bitesize Design and Technology www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zvg4d2p Technology Student www.technologystudent.com Other information course notes, learning assignments, interactive examinations for Unit 1 are all available on the school s Boodle system. OCR Food Technology. 11 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
Revision guides given to all students free of charge Deadline date for A532 Feb 6 th Child Development Exam board OCR Home Economics Child Development J441 Website http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-home-economics-child-development-j441-from- 2012/ Revision guides CPG Child Development Revision Guide; ISBN-13: 978-1847622969 or Lonsdale Essentials Revision guide ISBN 978-1-906415-61-7 Health and Social Care Exam Board Edexcel GCSE Health and Social Care Single Award Website http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/hsc/pages/default.aspx Text book Hair and Beauty Book: GCSE Health and Social Care - Edexcel Student Book ISBN-13: 978-0007311149 Awarding body: VTCT- Principle Learning in Hair and Beauty studies Exam date: 8th January 2015 Revision: Revision guides given to all students free of charge, revision sessions are open to all students Exam details: For Level 2 students, unit 2.2 is 20% of the overall grade, Level 1 students, unit 1.1 is 20% of the overall grade. Controlled assessments will be carried out throughout the rest of the year. 12 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y
Useful Revision Tips for Parents You can support your son/daughter by helping them to follow these tips: Plan for half hour sessions or an hour at most. Any longer and it is likely that nothing more will sink in. Take a short break between sessions and have a glass of water. In the evenings after school, plan to revise one or two subjects only. Leave some time for relaxation. Plan to revise specific topics in each subject, not everything at once. Ensure that each sessions starts with tackling the most difficult bits. Plan to cover each subject several times and revisit each one near to the exams. Revising with the TV or radio on or with loud music is not a good idea. Having their favourite music in the background may help. Reading is not generally enough. Making brief notes in either words or pictures helps them to remember Have all the books they need to hand so they don t have to go off looking for information Working with a friend can be useful because it allows them to test each other and to talk about the work. 13 S A I N T B E N E D I C T C A T H O L I C V O L U N T A R Y A C A D E M Y