Year 13Parent Support

Information Group

Wednesday 16th May

3WEEKS UNTIL A2

EXAMS START!

What should students be doing? It’s never too late…

• How can you change your grade?– Attend all lessons– Attend all catch up/revision sessions (even during study

leave)– Meet all deadlines & get valuable feedback– Do you have a revision timetable?– How much work are you really doing outside of lessons?

4/5 hours per subject– Ask for feedback – what do I need to do to

improve/secure a ‘X’ grade– Quiet study area– Is your part time job getting in the way? 9 hours max a

week. Less in exam season – Other distractions – social life, facebook…– Exercise– Down time – important to switch off.

Supporting your child

during exams

Use a calendar to write down

when all exams are

Help them plan their time e.g. revision

schedules (e.g.

available)

Get them to use subject checklists to

prioritise their revision

Provide a quiet, clutter

free environment away from

distractions

Talk to them – get them to verbalise

their learning

Make sure they take plenty of

rest breaks

Accept that they might

be more anxious than

usual

Get them to treat revision as an active process e.g. mind-maps,

post it’s, mnemonics

etc

Contact school if you’re

concerned about stress

levels

And…….

• ….a well stocked fridge

The day of the exam• Make sure they are aware if it is a morning or afternoon exam• Eat something light before – it will help concentration• Check all materials which will be needed for the exam the night before• Bring a bottle of water (without a label on the bottle)• Do NOT bring mobile phones into the exam rooms• All exams are taken at the school where students are registered, NOT where they are taught• Avoid ‘cramming’ just before an exam • Listen very carefully to the exam briefing at the start of the exam• Thoroughly read the rubric on the exam paper

Remember, it will soon be over!

• 1st June: Last teaching day for year 13

Leavers Assembly

Leavers Ball

• 4th – 8th June: Half term

• 11th June: Exam period begins

• 1st July: Return textbooks and other resources

• 16th August: Results day

• 17th August: Post exam surgery

Key dates

Results day • Thursday August 16th from 9:00am• Post 16 Atrium at Redland Green School or G001 in

Charnwood• Must collect results in person – results will not be

given over the phone or via email• Post 16 team will be around to provide support• Post examination surgery

Contd…

A* - How it works• A* was new for 2010 examinations

• Awarded only for A2 subjects and AS extended project.

• Students have to gain an A grade overall in their AS level

• Students would also need to gain 90% of the maximum uniform marks on their A2 units.

Results day • UCAS ‘Track’ may allow you to see if you have met

the entry requirements for your chosen courses but not grades. Available (hopefully) by midnight

• Remember UCAS ID number

• Remember telephone number for admission tutors of firm and insurance offer

www.ucas.com

UCAS Extra• An Extra choice!• Available between February to end June• To use Extra applicants need to have:

• already made five choices • received decisions from all these choices; and • either had no offers or declined

• Course vacancies available on UCAS• Offers can be accepted or rejected• No offers = Clearing

• Scenarios:1. Accepted by Firm Choice 2. Accepted by Firm Choice and exceed offer3. Receive changed course offer4. Accepted by Insurance Choice5. Don’t meet conditions of any offers

• Outcomes:1. Receive Confirmation letter (post)2. Receive Confirmation letter (post) or apply through ‘Adjustment’3. Accept/decline alternative course4. Receive Confirmation letter (post)5. Automatic entry into Clearing

If you get your grades…Check UCAS

Track regularly!

• UCAS ‘Adjustment’:• Results have met and exceeded conditions of

conditional firm choice and• Paid full application fee• Open 16th – 31st August• 5 day window to register and secure an alternative• Remain accepted at original choice

• CELEBRATE!

If you get your grades…Check UCAS

Track regularly!

• Don’t panic or make rash decisions• The university may still accept students• No offers = automatic entry into Clearing• Be available to speak to universities/admissions tutors• Take careful note of UMS scores• Appointments with Post 16 team• Students will not be allowed to return to Year 14• Consider retakes (caution needed!)

If things don’t go to plan… Check UCAS

Track regularly!

Gap year students• Finalise university plans/next steps before going

overseas• Planning – so much choice / which organisation / how

long…• Gap Years Fair @ BGS Wednesday 27 June 4 – 8pm• Is it right for you?

• How will you benefit?• How will you spend your time?• Cost!• Safety• Insurance / visas / health

• Futures 18 day Wednesday 27 June

Haven’t applied to uni yet?

• Start the process early (early September)• Apply through the centre or as an individual• Priority always given to current Year 13• Remind tutor to update reference before student

leaves

Would like more advice?

Make an appointment to see Kerry Chester – Cotham

Learning CommunitySarah Haine – Redland Green

Learning Community

Questions