Dear Parent / Carer,
I am writing to update you on the plan for this half term as we begin preparation for the Year 11 mocks which will take place in December. The mock timetable will be available by the end of this week, with individual timetables being shared closer to the start of the mock examinations.
We hope that we will soon receive an update from the DfE on the plans for the awarding of grades in the very unlikely event that 2022 examinations are cancelled. We will then be able to provide you with information regarding the precise status of the mock exams in such an eventuality. That said, whatever the Government decide as regards their ‘Plan B’ should exams be cancelled is extremely unlikely to affect the way we expect students to approach the mock exams; there are lots of good reasons why they should always be approached with seriousness and we expect that all of our students prepare adequately for them. To help them with this, I have attached an overview of the revision that will be offered starting from Monday 1st November and will continue leading up to the December exams. The list is not exhaustive and may be subject to change, but it gives you a good idea as to what your child has on offer to support them with their mocks.
Additional to this, we will be hosting a virtual study skills support evening for families on Wednesday 10th November. The focus is on how to support your child with their revision, looking at the theory behind learning and practical steps on how to effectively revise. A zoom link will be sent out later this week for those who wish to attend. This will be led by our Assistant Headteacher Mrs Mulholland.
May I use this as an opportunity to remind you about the importance of students attending school, including form time. Students have 2 weekly form sessions dedicated to revision. One of these is directed towards using Tassomai and GCSE pod, 2 online platforms that your child has free access to and can be accessed both in school and at home. The second session will be focused on subject-specific revision starting this half term, using information provided by subject teachers. Students are also welcome to bring their own revision books into school with them to use during these sessions as an addition to the prepared material.
For some of our Year 11s, targeted intervention will also be running, and this will be led by various teachers for students where there may be concerns regarding their current progress or completion of coursework. You will be informed of these separately by the member of staff leading this.
If you have any further questions regarding the support for this half term, please feel free to contact me.
Kind regards,
Miss Taylor
Assistant Headteacher
