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"Castle School Education Trust is committed to high quality education across the primary, secondary and sixth form key stages. Our schools cover the South Gloucestershire area. We encourage independence within each school within a strong framework of values."

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Downend

To report a child's absence for years 7-11 please email dow-studentabsence@cset.co.uk or call 01454 862395.  For 6th Form please call 01454 862333.  

Year 11 Revision

In Year 11, we offer our students a wide range of support in order to prepare them to sit their GCSE examinations at the end of Key Stage 4. GCSE exams are the culmination of their secondary education; it is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and ambition to external examiners; to be awarded nationally recognised qualifications that they will take forward with them and hold for life. Ensuring every student develops a variety of revision skills and the ability to work under pressure is something we teach them to do so that they can meet the challenges of GCSE exams with optimism and confidence.

Students learn how to create revision plans taking into account all of their subjects whilst also being encouraged to maintain a balance between school work and their well-being. They are taught revision techniques which are based in cognitive science and receive continuous support from their subject teachers, house teams and from senior leadership. Regular assemblies are held throughout the year which are designed to offer support with everything from how to manage stress to how to set up the optimal study environment at home.

 

Parents and Carers Supporting Learning

Below are the slides from our Parents and Carers Supporting Learning evening on 16th January. They contain lots of tips and guidance for how you can help your child to prepare for their GCSEs
 

This area will show all documents uploaded to the /docs/PARENTS_AND_CARERS_SUPPORTING_LEARNING folder.

Documents in folders containing the word 'letter' or 'minute' are listed in the order they were uploaded, most recent upload at the top. Otherwise, documents are listed alphabetically.

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Revision Newsletters

 

Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs)

Year 11 students have the opportunity to sit two rounds of PPEs prior to sitting their GCSE examinations in the summer. The first round usually takes place in November while the second in February / March. This allows students to experience the exam hall under the supervision of exam invigilators as well as the associated rules and regulations set out by the various exam boards. Students learn how to manage their time under exam conditions and potential gaps in knowledge that can be addressed in the weeks following the PPEs. By the time the real exams arrive, students know what to expect and are familiar with routines.

Guided Revision: At Home Revision

Each department has provided students with a revision list with weekly tasks to complete from January to May. This helps students plan their weekly revision and manage their time effectively. Please see below for details of individual subjects:

Subject Revision Information

Revision Resources

Student Expectations for Exams Important Information

Student Expectations for Exams  


Exam Preparation

This area will show all documents uploaded to the /docs/YEAR_11_EXAM_PREPARATION folder.

Documents in folders containing the word 'letter' or 'minute' are listed in the order they were uploaded, most recent upload at the top. Otherwise, documents are listed alphabetically.

Important Dates 2023 / 2024

Tuesday 5th September

Year 11 begins

Thursday 19th October

Downend Sixth Form open evening

Monday 30th October

Year 11 mocks begin (Round 1) 

Beginning of December

Progress Review 1 issued 

Thursday 7th December

Year 11 Parents' Evening

Tuesday 20th February

Year 11 mocks begin (Round 2)

End of March

Progress Review 2 issued 

Thursday 28th March

Year 11 Parents' Evening

Friday 3rd May

Confirmation of P16 destination deadline

Tuesday  7th May (TBC)

GCSE exams begin