Year 8 Examinations
Dear Parent/Carer,
Year 8 End of Year Examinations and Assessments – Wednesday 19th May 2021 to Tuesday 25th May 2021 inclusive.
I hope you are all keeping well, this letter is to keep you informed about the upcoming end of year assessment week for all Year 8 students on the above dates. Students will be sitting exams and doing assessments based upon the skills and knowledge they have been developing across the year so far and from Year 7. I have attached a summary of what will be covered in the assessments for each subject, the teachers will also provide clear guidance to students as to how to revise in preparation for these exams. Students are expected to revise all the topics and units listed in preparation for these examinations and assessments. They will be directed by their subject teacher for extra revision material via the respective
Google Classroom.
As parents you can support us, and more importantly your child, by assisting them to organise themselves in the run up to these examinations. Please ask your child to show you their revision timetable. Discuss with them how they intend to balance the demands of all of their subjects as well as any outside commitments they may have. Please note that the examination timetable will be sent out separately to students and yourselves when it has been finalised by the Examinations
Team.
Students should approach these examinations and assessments with the same level of determination as if they were sitting external examinations. If they have not already started, it is now time to start. With just under 3 weeks to go until, it is vital that all students should be preparing thoroughly, not only in the evenings. Our recommendation is that pupils should be investing at least 3 hours of revision each evening and additional time of approximately 6 hours at the weekend.
Some useful techniques for students: Use of cue cards, practising with past examination questions and students being reflective as to what their areas of weakness are. We also ask for your support in limiting distractions that could interfere with the quality and quantity of revision such as mobile phones, TV, games consoles etc. All of these can have a detrimental influence and cause unnecessary distractions in preparing for examinations.
https://www.learningscientists.org/downloadable-materials – is where you can find very useful information regarding what effective learning strategies they can use, we will also be using these during tutorial in the lead up to the exams.
Below are some further sources of advice on how parents can support their children during periods of examination:
https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-guide-to-support-a-z/parents-guide-to-support-exam-time/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/coping-with-exam-stress/
A date for your diary is Wednesday 16th June 2021, where it is our Year 8 Parents’ Evening, this will be an excellent opportunity to discuss the progress of your child, including the results from the aforementioned end of year exams. More information will be sent to you in due course.
If you have any further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact your son/daughter’s tutor who will be able to assist you.
Thank you in advance for your support.
yours sincerely,
S Fuller
Head of Year 8