YEAR 11


Year 11 is an eventful year and with the end now so close, there really is a great sense of students getting themselves organised, plotting their revision and using strategies we have discussed with themselves to achieve the best results possible. Signs are extremely positive and now our formal Period 6 system is under way the take up has been excellent. Students take a breath at the end of the school day, grab a hot chocolate and a biscuit from the canteen (or The Bunker, if you will) and are attending after school revision sessions to give them that extra edge in the exams. It’s that extra ‘edge’ or ‘Marginal Gains’ we’ve been discussing with them in assemblies that can make the difference. Tutor times are now almost exclusively dedicated to revision and we practise different techniques each week. One size does not fit all when it comes to revision and we hope that different students will find value in some of the techniques. The ‘Power Hour’ is the most effective technique and students following this get real hands on practice with exam questions.


exams begin on 13th May but practical exams will be running from the beginning of next term. Your child has received their exam timetable and if you don’t have a copy for yourself, please email Mrs Forecaste, our exams officer, at jfo@matravers.wilts.sch.uk.


Here are seven exam tips that can help students finish their prep strong and perform at their peak:


1. Sleep


This piece of advice is listed first because it is one of the most important and most frequently overlooked strategies. Our brains are at their best when they are rested. If you sit an exam while exhausted, you will have a much harder time recalling the information you need to earn a high score. Modern exams are designed to assess knowledge and skills that you accumulate over months of study, so frantically reviewing your notes the week before the exam will not help you. You need to study an hour or two a day to keep yourself focused and on-topic, but avoid working late into the evening.


2. Rest your hands


Mrs Dovey and Stacey, our Thrive worker are running exam stress sessions every Wednesday and students are welcome to attend at any point. We really do recognise the difficulties some students face in coping with the pressures of exams. In addition, students can drop- in to see Mrs Dovey and Stacey every Friday lunch time. If your child seems to be low or stressed, please do encourage them to attend. Alternatively drop Mrs Dovey an email and she’ll speak to them herself. You can reach her at ndo@matravers.wilts.sch.uk.


Pupil Progress day 2 is first week back after Easter, on Thursday 25th April. We’ll be targeting those students we think we can have the most impact with so if you’re invited in, please do make the effort to attend; It really is a last chance to ensure everything is in place before the exam season begins in earnest. The formal sit-down


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You will be doing quite a bit of writing by hand. It may seem strange to think about, but tired hands are one factor that can affect performance. However, there are ways to minimise the likelihood of aching fingers. On the day of your exam, bring a stress ball or other stress relief toy that will help your hands relax from their pen-clutch posture. You can even bring a small tube of moisturizer or Tiger Balm to rub into your fingers. (Note that these items may only be used during breaks between tests – not in the exam room.)


3. Use your downtime wisely


Part of entering an exam rested and relaxed is feeling mentally refreshed. Create a work schedule well in advance of your exams. This can minimize possible stress and distraction.


Make time, too, for an activity that is fun and relaxing. Go for a walk, play a favourite video game, or invite your friends over. The specifics of what you do matter less than ensuring that you do not spend time before your exams tense and anxious (as long as you’re revising as well!).


4. Review class content, but do so selectively


As mentioned above, avoid entirely abandoning your test prep. Taking a high-stakes exam “cold” is


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