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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.

Information for Students & Parents

Exam information for Students & Parents

 AI and Assessments A quick guide for students

 

Parents and Carers Supporting Learning 

On Tuesday 15th October we held an information evening discussing how to support your Y11 child through their final examinations. Slides from the evening can be accessed here: Parents and Carers Supporting Learning

 

Year 11 Parents & Carers Newsletters 2024/2025

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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

Revision Guides

If you wish to purchase revision guides to supplement the materials provided by school, CGP provide a wide range of products which cover our courses. Your child's teacher will be able to advise them should they have any queries. 

Our 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
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 

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 2024 / 2025

5th - 14th November

PPE1

21st November

6th Form Open Evening (students sign up via link shared via Google Classroom)

Start of December

Yr 11 PR1 issued

12th December

Yr 11 Parents Evening 1

January (date TBC)

Yr 11 Parents & Carers Information Evening

25th February - 6th March

PPE2

End of March

Yr 11 PR2 issued

3rd April

Yr 11 Parents Evening 2

2nd May

Confirmation of P-16 destination deadline

w/b 5th May

GCSE exams begin (NB some subjects will have completed their in-school GCSE assessments by then)