Dear Parents/Carers

At the end of the summer term, students in years 7-10 will sit their end of year examinations. This is an opportunity for them to test what they know really well and the areas, topics and subject content that they need to work harder on retaining. It is also an opportunity for us to use the results to plan appropriate learning opportunities for students in the next academic year.

As with all examinations, students are expected to do some of the preparation in time outside of lessons – i.e. revision. Just like any other skills (sporting or otherwise), we only get good at something with practice. As such, students need to practice the learning of what they have been taught over and over again until it is clear that its embedded in their long-term memory.

This week and next week assemblies have been focused on the processes of learning, embedding and retrieving information for examination success. This supports what goes on in lessons throughout the academic year.

Ultimately, success in examinations comes down to 2 simple things:

1. Knowledge retention – remembering what has been taught and transferring it from short to long term memory
2. Knowledge retrieval – being able to retrieve knowledge form our long-term memory at a time when we need it

1. Learn the knowledge – this is what happens in lessons, as part of home learning and as the initial element of revision.
2. Condense the knowledge – there is no way any of us would be able to remember the amount of content taught over a whole year in its ‘raw’ form. This is why we teach students how to condense what they have learnt in to a series of mind map and subsequent flash cards.
3. Memorise it – This is the most critical part. All the evidence points to the fact that three quarters of revision time should be spent on testing – finding out if you actually ‘know the stuff’ that has been taught/learnt. This can be self-testing – turning over the copy of a mind map and trying to replicate it, as well as others testing you. This could be someone asking the questions on your flash cards.
4. Retrieving it – Being able to use what you have been taught in context – this is why we make exam questions and tests a regular part of lessons and revision. This is about putting your children in an examination like situation so they become comfortable with it over and over again before they eventually take their GCSE examinations in year 11.

Thank you in advance for what I know with be the support you have and will continue to give to your children so they are successful in their end of year exams and in every other element of school life.

Enjoy the weekend with your children

Regards
Russell Stevens
Headteacher