Year 11 Study Leave

Exams have started for our Year 11 pupils and Friday 20th May is their final day. Pupils will leave at 2pm, following lunch served to them by their teachers and a celebratory assembly reflecting on their time at Deer Park. They have been an outstanding year group and we predict success come Results Day. We wish them all the very best of luck and look forward to welcoming them back on Results Day (Thursday 25th August) and later in the year for their Celebration of Achievement assembly, when certificates will be issued.

Mr Clarke, Head of Key Stage 4, offers some final words of advice for Year 11:

The key to success in your exams is revision. The key to successful revision is planning. Failing to plan is planning to fail – don’t be the one who doesn’t take it seriously. The next few weeks are going to bring pressure, but with hard work, determination, a positive attitude and planning, you can make the most out of your remaining time at Deer Park and maximise your chances of success.

Lots of people will give you lots of tips on how to revise. The most important tip is to do what works for you! Whatever you decide to do, stay active! Don't simply sit and read your notes again and again until your brain wants to explode. Get involved. Mix it up a bit. Try some new ideas. Do something with the information you are trying to remember.

Start early:
It's never too late to start - so do it now! Even 20 minutes a day now is better than nothing. By the time you go on 'exam leave' you should be planning 6 hours a day...

Make a revision timetable:
Use the Student Life weekly planner or invent your own. Whatever you do, do it now and stick it somewhere public in your house so everyone can see it. Tick the days off and look forward to the 10 week summer holiday!

Create the right environment:
The best place to revise is at a desk with good lighting. Not in front of the TV or the PC or your Mobile. Now turn off MSN, get comfortable and start some revision...

Break up your revision:
30 minutes at a time with 5 minutes rest is best. Don’t revise for more than 2 hours and make sure you stick to your breaks. Have a biscuit or an apple or a kickabout - but make sure you come back!

Know what to revise:
It is your responsibility to know exactly what to revise. Check with your teachers then check with your mates. Use the revision checklists from your teachers on the Y11 faculty menu or iDeer!

Use the right materials:
Find out which revision guides are recommended by your teachers and make sure the ones you have are for your exam board and syllabus…

Make revision interactive:
This is so important! Reading and re-reading your notes is only the start. Mix it up, get creative and have a bit of fun with your revision. There's more advice on iDeer

Get some help!:
Ask your teachers, ask your friends, ask your parents – they will all want to help.
Be resilient and don’t give up if you can’t remember something first time!

Stay focused and healthy:
These exams are going to happen whether you like it or not. Don’t panic. Revise so you know your stuff. Be good to yourself – exercise, eat the right foods and get some sleep! Look on iDeer for Mr Johnson’s advice on ‘Lifestyle for Learning’

Use past papers:
Get these from your teachers or from the exam board websites. Get practising!
You would be mad to go into an exam without doing some past papers first. Remember to get your teachers to mark them as well!