Year 11

Year 11 information 

GCSE Exam Timetables and results

Your child will eventually receive a personal exam timetable, but in the meantime here is a link to the BBC page with this years exam dates, here. 

Key Dates and Deadlines

1. The autumn Term PPEs will start November 18th and run until December 3rd. 

2. Year 11 Parents evening January 16th 

3. GCSE exam period will officially start May 5th and finish June 20th 

Period 6s

Period 6s run throughout the year. Below is a breakdown of the days by subject

Monday – Option subjects

Tuesday – English/Science

Wednesday – Science/English

Thursday – Maths

Friday – Alumni Tutoring 

Revision Techniques 

The importance of making a plan

Students often lack the discipline and motivation to revise consistently throughout Year 11. Revision shouldn’t be something students start just before their exams – it is an ongoing process that should start now. A study into healthy lifestyles found that a group of participants who were made to create a simple plan detailing the day, time and location of their exercise were far more likely to maintain a healthy exercise regime. Working with your child to identify the days and times in the week where they can revise is an important first step.

If you are going to be involved in helping your child to draw up a revision timetable, try using these steps:

Step 1 - Get hold of the revision templates that students have been issued
during tutor time.
Step 2 - Ask your child to make a list of all of their subjects.
Step 3 - Get them to write in all non-school commitments for that week such as
leisure activities, going out, watching TV, general time to relax etc.
Step 4 - Get them to enter when to revise each subject for that week, keeping in
mind the following:
• Balance the revision time between all subjects
• Space out the revision for each subject over the week
• Be realistic about the amount of time spent revising. Short chunks of
revision around 35-40 minutes followed by quick breaks are recommended.
Step 5 - Pin up the revision timetable in a prominent place at home so that
everyone in the house knows what’s going on.

Flash Cards

Flash cards are a simple and excellent revision tool. This is the one technique that we encourage students to do most. All students have been provided with revision card packs to use in tutor time and lesson changeovers.

How to make:
• Write a topic title large on one side of the card.
• Summarise all the key points on the other side.
• Your child should be encouraged to build these up as they move
through Year 11.

How to use:
• Pick out a card and look at the topic title. Try to remember and write
down everything you need to know.
• Check how much you have remembered by looking at the back of the
card.
• Try testing your child using the flashcards and give them time to digest
the question before answering. If they get the answer right, don’t
discard the card – they need to keep repeating it again and over time.
• The ‘Leitner system’ is an effective way of using Flash cards. Watch
the video to see how it works.

Reflecting upon areas of weakness

Students often prefer to revise old content that they find easiest – tackling the difficult concepts is challenging, but essential! Asking your child to reflect on their areas of weakness is a good starting point. Students should dedicate the most time to the subjects and topics they find most difficult.

Using a simple traffic light system is a good way of organising your child’s priorities. Each teacher will be more than happy to provide a list of topics required for each qualification to help with this.

Well-being Support

Managing Stress During GCSEs: Advice for Parents and Students

GCSEs can be a stressful time for both students and their families, but with the right support and strategies, stress can be managed effectively. Here’s some advice to help guide you through this challenging period.

Create a Study Schedule

A well-organised study plan can alleviate feelings of overwhelm. Break down subjects into manageable chunks, focusing on one topic at a time, and mix in regular breaks to avoid burnout.

• Tip for Parents: Help your child create a realistic revision timetable. Apps like Trello or My Study Life can help organise revision tasks effectively.

Balance Study with Relaxation

It’s crucial to balance revision with downtime. Encourage activities that relax and refresh the mind, such as light exercise, listening to music, or going for a walk.

• Tip for Students: Practice mindfulness or deep-breathing exercises to calm your nerves. Headspace offers free meditation exercises tailored for students.

Maintain a Healthy Routine

Eating well, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and staying physically active are essential for keeping the mind and body energised.

• Tip for Parents: Ensure your child is eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep (at least 8 hours). Encourage them to limit caffeine and avoid late-night screen time, which can disrupt sleep.

Break the Workload into Manageable Chunks

Rather than cramming, encourage small but consistent bursts of study. This can help students retain information better and feel more in control.

• Tip for Students: Use the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes study, 5 minutes break). The Forest app helps track your study time and reduces distractions by encouraging focus.

Talk About Their Feelings

Encourage open conversations about stress and anxiety. Simply talking about their feelings can reduce pressure and help students feel supported.

• Tip for Parents: Be available to listen. Avoid offering solutions straight away—sometimes students just need to talk things through.

Access Additional Support

If stress or anxiety becomes overwhelming, there are professionals and resources available to help.

• Recommended Resources:
  • YoungMinds: A UK charity providing mental health support for young people, with specific advice for exam stress.
  • Childline: Offers tips on managing stress and a free helpline for children and young people (0800 1111).
  • The Mix: A support service for young people offering free, confidential support on a range of topics, including mental health.

Seek School Support

If stress is affecting your child’s performance or well-being, don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers, the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) or pastoral staff for guidance.

• Tip for Parents: Schools often have support systems in place for students, such as revision workshops or one-on-one sessions  with staff to address any concerns.

Post-GCSE Pathways

Mr Dunton is always available at lunch times in the careers centre. Please email admin@hassenbrook.org.uk with any questions relating to careers as Mr Dunton will be happy to answer them.