Part of castle school education trust

"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.

Year 11 Parents & Carers Newsletters 2025/2026

 Newsletters will appear here from September 2025 

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Parents and Carers Supporting Learning Evening

Each year we hold an information evening discussing how to support your Y11 child through their final examinations. Slides from the evening will be uploaded here after the event.

2526 Date: TBC

 

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.

 

GCSE Exam Boards:

Art: AQA
Business: Edexcel
Computing: OCR
Design Technology: AQA
Drama: AQA
Engineering (Manufacturing and Electronics): OCR Cambridge National
English: AQA
Food: AQA
Geography: AQA
History: AQA
Languages: AQA
Maths: AQA
Media: OCR
Music: AQA
RS: OCR
Science: AQA
Sport Studies: OCR Cambridge National


AQA past papers can be found here: AQA
Edexcel past papers can be found here: Edexcel
OCR past papers can be found here: OCR