21 March 2023
Dear Parents/Carers
Previously, we wrote to you in January regarding walking talking mocks, and again in February regarding mock exam dates and intervention activities. This month, we wanted to give you an update on Year 10 and signpost you to some educational resources that might help support your child.
Coach Bright
Thank you for all the applications to be part of the Coach Bright scheme, the spaces were allocated on a first come first serve basis. The programme has now started, with students being coached in either English, Maths or Science, we hope that this will boost their confidence within that subject and ultimately their grades. If you would like any more information about this programme, the website is here: Secondary Programme — CoachBright or alternatively contact Miss H Begum.
Elevate Education
Students have been receiving a bespoke study skills programme ran by an external company Elevate Education. Elevate Education work across the country in over 2000 schools sharing and teaching study skills that students can use in their exam revision and exams. Along with the students having bespoke sessions in school; Elevate also run parental workshops to help with supporting your child through their GCSE studies. Elevate Education’s last free webinar of the Spring Term will be taking place on Tuesday 21st March 6pm – 7pm.
Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series, you will learn how you can help better support your children at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school:
Session: Exam Room Skills – Minimising Stress and Maximising Marks
Click here to register for free: Webinar Registration | UK (elevatecoaching.info)
Here’s what Elevate will be covering:
✅ What to do in the final days before any test or assessment
✅ How to establish a good routine for the night before
✅ How to optimise exam-room performance
Mock Examinations & Parents’ Evening
June may seem like a long time away, but time does fly – in June your child will be sitting their mock examinations and a parents’ evening will follow this, to give you an opportunity to speak to staff face to face about your child’s progress. We would expect students to be completing homework set, and beginning to revise now. Below are various resources to support revision.
GCSE Pod
We use an online platform called GCSE Pod, which has a variety of subjects where students have access to revision podcasts which they can listen to through their smartphones or online on their laptops. It has been shown that regular users make at least 1 grade better in their GCSE’s. Please encourage your child to log in using the details below:
Username-School email- 19firstinitial.surname@erdington.fmat.co.uk (19d.read@erdington.fmat.co.uk)
Password-Erdington1
English:
The following revision guides are available to purchase through Parent Pay:
- Macbeth / A Christmas Carol: Revision guide/workbook – £3.00
- Macbeth / A Christmas Carol personal copies – £1.00
- Language guide bundle (3 texts), including ‘You can’t revise for English? Yes you can!) – £5.00
- Language workbook bundle – £3.00
Maths
List of resources:
- Edexcel Revision guides – both foundation and higher are on parent pay
- Scientific calculator – Casio fx-85GTX, this is also linked on parent pay
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Protractor
- Compass
Websites to support further:
Maths Genie – Free Online GCSE and A Level Maths Revision
MathsUpGrade.co.uk – GCSE Maths Exam Practice Revision Questions & Solutions
Science
Revision guides are coming soon to Parent Pay – watch this space!
Option subjects
French
GCSE French AQA Complete Revision & Practice (with Free Online Edition & Audio) | CGP Books
GCSE French AQA Exam Practice Workbook (includes Answers & Free Online Audio) | CGP Books
History
GCSE History AQA Revision Guide | CGP Books ISBN-10 1782946047 ISBN-13 978-1782946045
Or:
Oxford AQA GCSE History: Germany 1890-1945 Democracy and Dictatorship Revision Guide (9-1): Oxford University Press (oup.com) ISBN-10 9780198422891
RE
Geography
GCSE Geography AQA Revision Guide (with Online Edition) | CGP Books
Computer Science
Seneca – Learn 2x Faster (senecalearning.com)
GCSE Computer Science – OCR – BBC Bitesize
Art & Photography
GCSE Art and Design – BBC Bitesize
Students can also ask their teachers to signpost further resources.
Self-Care
We know that tests and exams can be a challenging part of school life for children and young people and their parents or carers. Students wellbeing is our priority; staff are here to support students through this, and below are some websites which give some really useful advice:
Help your child beat exam stress – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Exam Stress | Coping Strategies | DEAL | Samaritans
Exam Stress | How To Deal with Exam Stress | YoungMinds
Managing stress and building resilience – tips – Mind
Kind regards,
Mrs Mabbett
Assistant Principal
