13 May 2010

Dear parent / carer of Year 10 students

As you will no doubt be aware, last summer’s results at both GCSE and A Level broke many
school records for achievement. We want to continue to ensure that all of our students achieve at
the highest level. The national minimum expectation is that students leave Year 11 with 5 or more
GCSE grades at A* - C level (two of which have to be English and Maths). Last summer, 48% of
our students left with the minimum expectation, and we believe more than that can achieve at this
level when your son / daughter takes their exams at the end of Year 11. So much so that we have
set the targets for year group in 2011 at 75% (5 or more A*-C grades) and 63% (5 or more with
English and Maths).

It is never too early to be getting across the message about appropriate preparation for revision,
particularly as there are now modular GCSE examinations taken at the end of Year 10 in Maths
and Science (to name but two subjects). For any student’s success, it is important that the message
comes from both school and home. For the remainder of this letter, I will be outlining some ways
that you can support revision and outlining some resources that you can access to assist your son /
daughter with this from home.

Suggestions for supporting revision at home:

1. promote the use of My Revision Plan (http://www.myrevisionplan.co.uk/) or the Get
Revising website (http://getrevising.co.uk/timetable/intro) with your son / daughter. These
websites offer a completely free resource which makes it easy for students to create an
effective, tailored study plan based upon their individual requirements;
2. The DCSF Parent Centre has information on helping with study at home on the following
web address:
http://www.parentscentre.gov.uk/educationandlearning/whatchildrenlearn/learningathomeouts
ideschool/homework/

Examinations are stressful times for any student and to that end I attach with this letter some
material which I hope will be of some assistance in supporting your son / daughter through this
important time. Further support materials are available on the school website under the ‘Parent
Power’ link on the menu (click ‘Year 11 Parents’).

I hope you find the support outlined in this letter helpful. I would like to take this opportunity to
wish all Year 10 students the very best in their modular examinations this summer and for hitting
the year group’s target of achieving 75% 5 or more A*-C grades and 63% with English and Maths
in 2011.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Cawley
Headteacher