Please find below, a copy of an email that was sent to all Year 10 parents this week:
As we approach the Easter holidays, we want to bring to your attention some of the key events next term for Year 10 which form part of the preparation for their GCSE year and next steps thereafter.
As in previous years, Year 10 will be having a full week of internal exams immediately before Half Term from Monday 23 to Friday 27 May. These will enable both the pupils and teachers to assess their progress over the first half of their GCSE courses and help with planning for Year 11. The exam timetable will be published next term and whilst some of the exams will be taken in their classrooms, Year 10 pupils will also sit some papers in the examination hall (unless they have access arrangements) so they have experience of this environment in advance of the Year 11 mocks. Teachers will spend dedicated time focusing on revision and preparation for these exams next term and we are recommending that pupils put some time aside over the Easter break to start their revision plans as directed by their teachers. Next term we have a REAL Time session planned for Thursday 5 May specifically to focus on revision skills - pupils have already spent some time on this and have access to their Learning Skills Team which includes revision support. If you would like to watch a short Revision Guidance Presentation, please click on the link.
Of course, our Year 10 will very soon become Year 11 and as they mature, we want to grow them into senior leaders and role models for the younger pupils, not least within their vertical tutor groups. With this in mind, once the internal exams are over, we will be taking Year 10 pupils off timetable on Wednesday 15 June to undertake some specific training on developing their leadership skills. This will bring great benefit to both them and their tutor groups next year and they will immediately have the opportunity to put these skills into practice on House Activities Day at the end of this term.
Whilst the GCSEs will rightly be a major focus for the pupils over the year ahead, pupils and parents will also be starting to gather their thoughts on post-GCSE studies. All pupils will have had a careers interview with Mrs Quinney, our Head of Careers, during Year 10 and they will have a follow up in Year 11 which parents are welcome to attend. In addition, another key event we will be running for all Year 10 pupils is the Sixth Form Taster Day on Tuesday 28 June. In addition to finding out more about what Sixth Form life entails, they will be able to choose five subjects to have a taste of what A-level or BTEC studies are like. Further details of the Sixth Form Taster Day will be sent out next term.
To help with your own planning, there is a summary of key dates below, the first of which is the 360 Review Evening in school on Thursday 28 April where you will meet with your child's tutor to discuss overall progress and set some targets. The booking arrangements for this evening will be sent to you directly by email.
Year 10 will be having an assembly on all the above tomorrow, Thursday 31 March, and we would encourage you to discuss the term ahead with them and contact us at school if you have any queries or concerns.
With all best wishes for the Easter break,
Ed Hester - Headmaster
Michael Spencer – Deputy Head - Academic
Ben Collie – Head of Sixth Form
Date
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Year 10 Event
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Monday 25 April
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First day of Trinity Term
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Thursday 28 April
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360 Review Evening: Parent, Pupil and Tutor in school
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Thursday 5 May
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REAL Time Revision Session
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Monday 23 to Friday 27 May
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Exam week
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Friday 10 June
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Exam Reports available on My School Portal
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Wednesday 15 June
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Year 10 Leadership Training
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Wednesday 22 June
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Year 10 Parents’ Evening (online)
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Tuesday 28 June
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Year 10 Sixth Form Taster Day
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Friday 1 July
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House Activities Day
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Wednesday 6 July
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End of Trinity Term
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