Exam Class Updates: Y11 and Y13

Y11 (IGCSE)

Our Y11 students have been completing their mock oral examinations and are starting to turn their attention to the written mock examinations in January (15-26 January).

These mock examinations are crucial for the development of their exam skills. For example, how to prepare, time management, self-organisation, exam preparation (note taking, review of content, past paper practice, application of understanding) and dealing with exam conditions and requirements on the day. Within PSHE, they have spent a couple of sessions looking at such skills.

Our Y11 students are also looking beyond IGCSE and are currently completing an IB Options Unit in PSHE. This programme includes an introduction to the IB Diploma Programme (and all its different parts), advice from subject specialists, research tools to help them consider what is right for them and guidance from our university counselors. They will be asked to provide early choices at the end of term and final choices in February. Before that happens, we will have an information evening for parents on 29 January.

Y13 (IBDP)

Our Y13 students have been completing mock and real oral examinations, and like y11, are starting to prepare for the mocks in January (9-19 January).

Y13 teachers are supporting the students as they try to complete their Internal Assessments before the end of term. With these done, it will allow the students to completely focus on the mock exams and their preparation for them. It is essential that the students fully prepare for these examinations so they can get a fair assessment of their progress as they prepare for their final school IB exams in April/May.

In PSHE we have been supporting the students with regular progress checks, time for university application work (plus advice from counselors), Extended Essay administration and, coming up next week, a session on how to deal with the anxiety that can accompany large workloads and exams. Each Y13 student has a mentor and we encourage them to turn to these mentors for support when they need it.

Please note that we have 3wc’s for both Y11 and Y13 students on 13/14 December. I encourage you to meet with your child’s teacher to hear how they can best prepare for the mock exams and discuss their Current Grade Reports (which will be published on 8 December).