Mark Rutherford

School

Revision Tips for

Parents & Students

CONTENTS
Examination Timetable

3-4

Top Tips for Parents and Students

5-9

Applied Business Studies

11

Child Development

12

Computing

13

Catering

14

Dance

15

Drama

16

English Language

17

English Literature

18

Geography

19

Graphics

20

History

21

ICT

22

Modern Foreign Languages

23-24

Mathematics

25

Media Studies

26

Music

27-28

Physical Education

29

Religious Education

30

Resistant Materials

31

Science

32

MARK RUTHERFORD SCHOOL

YEAR 11
EXAMINATION TIMETABLE
From Monday 11 May to Friday 22 May:
Students attend all lessons as normal unless they have an exam in the afternoon
when they can stay at home in the morning to revise.
From Monday 1 June:
All students continue to attend all lessons in subjects they still have an exam or
coursework to complete.
PLEASE NOTE:

After a morning exam all students continue with normal lessons 3, 4 and 5 - unless
preparing for an exam that afternoon.

Students must meet on the tennis courts 15 minutes prior to the start time of the exam.
DATE
Mon
11 May
Tues
12 May
Weds
13 May
Thurs
14 May

AM

PM

Religious Studies: Christianity

French: Listening & Reading
IT: Living in a Digital World

Fri
15 May

Spanish: Listening & Reading

Construction: Technology (BTEC)
Science: Principles of Science (BTEC)

PE: Theory of PE
Turkish: Reading & Written
Astronomy: Paper 1

Mon
18 May

English Literature: Unit 1, Exploring

Modern Texts
Business Studies: Intro to Business
Written

Travel & Tourism: The UK Travel &

Tourism Sector (BTEC)

Tues
19 May

Drama: Written paper

Geography: Skills & Challenges

Business: Financial Records

Turkish: Listening & Written

Science: Core
Biology

Weds
20 May

Thurs
21 May
English Literature: Unit 2, Poetry Across
Time
Fri 22 May

Travel & Tourism: Business Environment

(BTEC)

DATE

AM

PM

HALF TERM
Mon
1 June

History: Aspects of International Relations:

Germany

Tues
2 June

English Language: Unit 1, Understanding

and Producing Non-fiction Texts

Weds
3 June

Maths: Additional Maths (FSMQ) paper 1

Computing

Thurs
4 June

Maths: Non Calculator

Fri
5 June

Music: Unit 1

Mon
8 June

Tues
9 June

Religious Studies: Islam

Geography: Natural Environment

Science: Core
Chemistry

Turkish: Writing Written Paper

Catering
D & T: Resistant Materials Unit 1

Maths: Calculator

Geography: Human Environment

Home Economics: Child Development

Science: Additional
Physics

Weds
10 June

History: British Society

Thurs
11 June

Religious Studies: Marks Gospel

Polish: Unit 1

Fri
12 June

Dance: Unit 1

Science: Additional Science

Biology

Mon 15
June

Chemistry
Science: Further Additional Science

Media Studies: Unit 1

Tues
16 June

Polish: Unit 2 & 4

Weds
17 June

Physics
Science: Further Additional Science

Urdu: Unit 1 & 2

D & T: Graphic Products Unit 1

Thurs
18 June
Fri 19 June
Mon 22
June

Italian: Unit 1 & 2

Top Tips for Parents

How to help your child prepare for exam success
1. Talk to your child about how you can support them, and what they would find helpful.
2. Help to plan your childs revision timetable. If you know that they are not at their best in the
morning, then encourage them to rest then and work when they are livelier.
3. Provide a dedicated quiet space with good natural light for studying and if you have other
children in the house, remind them about the importance of revision time.
4. The internet can be a valuable tool for revision or a huge distraction! Make sure your child is
using on line resources responsibly!
5. Ensure that your child takes regular breaks from studying to relax, take exercise and socialise
with family and friends.
6. Encourage them to tell you about what they are studying and offer to help with testing them,
and reassure your child that their welfare is your concern more than their results.
7. Ensure that your child has a healthy diet while revising and taking exams they may need to
be reminded to eat proper meals regularly, and avoid too many sugary drinks and snack food.
8. Know the times, dates and locations of your childs exams incorporate this into revision
planning and ensure that your child will be properly equipped for each exam (they may need
calculators, rulers, etc).
9. Know that students are not allowed to take mobile phones into any exam they must be
handed in to invigilators.
10. If your child has a medical condition, i.e. hay fever or diabetes, make sure that the school
knows about it. There are special considerations for some conditions.
11. If there is a family crisis or emergency, make sure the school knows about it, since the
additional stress can affect your childs exam performance.
12. Ensure your child gets plenty of sleep during the exam period, and reassure them that you are
proud of them for working so hard and that you will love regardless of their exam results!

Your child will get the best results from their revision if they
develop good revision habits.

Revision Tips for Students

1.

Revision plan
The top tip for successful revision is to make a plan, otherwise it is easy to waste your precious
revision time. We recommend that you start your revision at least six weeks before your exams
begin. It is helpful to look at your exam dates and work backwards to the first date you intend to
start revising.

2.

List all your exam subjects and the amount of time you think you will need for each one. It is
unlikely that the amounts will be equal. Many people find it advisable to allocate more time
to the subject or topics they find the most difficult

Draw up a revision plan for each week

Fill in any regular commitments you have first and the dates of your examinations

Use Revision Checklists or Specifications for each subject as a starting point. Look at what
you need to know and try to identify any gaps in your knowledge. (A good way of doing this
is to look at the results of past papers or tests you have worked through)

Revise often; try to do a little every day

Plan in time off, including time for activities which can be done out in the fresh air. Take a 5
or 10 minute break every hour and do some stretching exercises, go for a short walk or
make a drink

You may find it helpful to change from one subject to another at break time, for example
doing one or two sessions of maths and then changing to Geography, or alternating a
favourite subject with a more difficult one. It helps to build in some variety

Write up your plan and display it somewhere visible

Dont panic; think about what you can achieve, not what you cant. Positive thinking is
important!

Where to study:
Creating good conditions to study in can help you make the most of the time you spend
revising. Here are some suggestions:

Find a quiet place to study and make sure you are sitting comfortably

Make sure your desk is well lit

Keep background noise to a minimum and avoid distractions (including television and social
networking!)

Have everything you need to do your revision to hand before you start

3.

How to study:
There is no right way to revise, as long as the method you choose enables you to gain a solid
grasp of key facts and concepts and consolidate your knowledge. Some students are happy to
read their classroom notes from start to finish, others prefer to simplify the information as much
as possible, turning everything into skeleton notes, diagrams or mnemonics. In practice, most
students find that mixing techniques suits the varied nature of the subjects being revised, and
provides essential variety when studying.

Turn your notes into revision tools; write ideas and facts on to cards to use as prompts,
create memory aids such as diagrams or mnemonics (e.g. initial letters to make a word you
need to remember or SMART objectives: Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Realistic;
Targets). These will help you remember key facts, write key facts/notes out and display
these around the house where you will see them, record yourself reading notes and listen
to them instead of reading

Study with a friend and test each others knowledge, but remember you are meeting to
revise rather than to chat!

Work through past question papers and use a watch to time them so that you can practise
timing your answers

Choose study and revision guides sensibly. Its not hard to find help with revision as well
as established published revision guides, there are hundreds of websites offering help and
advice. The problem is not how to find such help, but how to judge which is the best source
for your needs. Save valuable time and get recommendations from your teachers

Keep yourself more alert by changing revision methods during a session. For instance, try
switching from note taking to memorising; from reading to asking someone to test you

Attend any revision classes that your teachers may be running at school and get their
advice on revision methods

Look after yourself sometimes revision can become a competition who stayed up
latest, who worked longest, whos worrying the most. But the more tired you are the less
efficiently youll work. You need to rest as well as study, eat well, drink lots of water and
make sure you pace yourself. Dont rush, and equally dont over-revise by doing too much
too soon

Allow time to relax between finishing your revision and going to bed. Aim for 8 hours of
sleep a night

4.

Last-minute revision tips:

Although time may be short, you can still make a difference to your grade. Try and prioritise; do
what you can.

5.

Use your revision tools (prompts, diagrams etc) to check final facts

Keep calm and consolidate your existing knowledge rather than trying to learn new topics

Dont stay up all night revising; being overtired will not help you to do your best

Dealing with exam nerves:

It is natural to feel nervous before an examination. The more prepared you feel, the easier it
will be to conquer your fears.
Your revision plan will have helped you to feel in control of the process.
You know that you have planned your work carefully around the topics you needed to focus on.
You have filled the gaps in your knowledge and you know what to expect from exams in each
subject.
Make sure you are confident about:

where and when each exam will take place

how much time is allowed

how many questions you need to answer

Think positively and keep the exam in context even if you do badly, there will be other options
open to you.
Allow yourself some fun-time each day to relax and remember to eat sensibly your brain cells
need energy to function well. Make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Dehydration makes you tired and reduces concentration.
Ensure that you have a good breakfast before morning exams, and a hearty lunch to prepare you
for afternoon exams!

6.

7.

Exam tips sitting the exam:

Check you have the correct equipment with you before you leave the house (pens pencils,
ruler, scientific calculator, etc.)

Take a watch or clock so that you can time your answers

Leave home so that you arrive for the exam in plenty of time

Listen carefully to instructions given in the exam hall

Read the instructions on the front of the exam paper, and at the beginning of any sections
in the exam paper (e.g. to show all workings, time limits, word limits etc.)

Look through the paper first and mark difficult questions/initial thoughts

If there is a choice of questions, select the questions that will best enable you to
demonstrate your knowledge to the examiner

Look at the marks available

Pace yourself and allow enough time to answer all the required questions

Write as neatly as possible to help the examiner to mark your work. Marking untidy writing
is difficult

For longer answers, take a few minutes before you begin to produce a structured plan of
what you are going to include in each section

Allow yourself ten minutes at the end to read through your answers and correct any
mistakes. Cross out anything you do not want the examiner to read (e.g. an earlier answer
to a question)

Exam tips after the exam

It is easy to fall in to the trap of wondering how well you performed and to discuss this with
your fellow students. Your time would be better spent looking ahead to your next
examination. Dont panic you wont be the only student who is anxious about their
answers
Dont compare your answers with those of other students this can create negative
feelings

Have some fresh air and food and take time to relax before you start revising again!

Dont rush to your textbooks to check your answers there is no point at this stage

Focus on the next exam and how you might improve your exam technique

Have a quick look at your revision plan. Do you need to adjust it?
9

Subject Specific
Revision Tips

10

Applied Business Studies

Unit 2: Financial Records
This unit is assessed via a one hour exam, worth 40% of the GCSE.
There are four sections that make up the unit:

2.1: Investigating the flow of financial documents used in business

trading
2.2: Investigating business payment methods and costs
2.3: Investigating the nature of financial statements in business
2.4: Investigating the importance of financial statements to business

The questions will be asked in three different ways: multiple choice,

short-answer and extended-answer.
Make the Grade revision pages are in the textbook, from p.116-p.121.
They include a revision checklist, common mistakes and practice and
advice on answering the different styles of questions. These pages
have also been photocopied and made available to students, along
with copies of past exam papers.
Students also have their class folder, which contains class notes,
handouts, practice questions and other revision material.
Revision classes will be held after school in the weeks leading up to
the exam.
The textbook ISBN is: 9781846903779

11

Child Development
There are a number of revision guides available and they are useful as a starting point:

ISBN 1847622968
Make sure you also have a copy of the revision
list from your teacher and go through it
carefully and identify any topics that you need
help with.
ISBN-139781906415617

Useful websites: www.babycenter.com ;www.mothercare.co.uk; www.smanutrition.co.uk

www.pampers.co.uk; www.kinderstart.com;www.bbc.co.uk
CORE TOPICS: There are always questions on:

Development: Make sure you understand each type of

development and know how this can be encouraged.
Play: Types of play and toys
Nutrition
Safety in the home and out and about as well as hygiene

REVISION CARDS
How do you revise?
We can help you with
some revision cards.
Please speak to your
Child Development
teacher.

Read each question twice and make sure you understand it. Start by planning the long
answer questions then leave it and go back later, you will then have time to think about how
to structure your response.
Plan essay or long answers before you start writing them out.
Be specific with answers do not be vague or waffle.
Try to answer every single question.
Check how many marks there are for each question and remember that you need to explain
your answers not just state facts.
Remember- use link words AS, BECAUSE
Also be aware that children are people he or she NOT it! They are individuals so talk
about what they generally usually typically do e.g. Generally twins develop their speech
more slowly. When talking about children always use the words child or children never
kid.
12

Computing
The exam board used for GCSE Computing is OCR. The Computer Systems and Programming
exam lasts for 1 hours and is worth 40% of the final mark. You will have completed 60% of the
course through the Controlled Assessments. The website for the Computing GCSE is
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-computing-j275-from-2012/.
On its Learning (https://bb.itslearning.com/) there is a Computer Science
class with access to all of the revision booklets, created in house, that
summarise the key topics. There is also access to the GCSE Computing
textbook. You will also find quizzes on there to test your knowledge.
The key areas to revise are:

Fundamentals of computer systems

Computer hardware
Software
Representation of data in computer systems
Databases
Computer communications and networking
Programming

The Dynamic Learning site is an invaluable resource for revising for this exam. There are lots of
practice questions and it is interactive. The web address for this site is: http://my.dynamiclearning.co.uk/. Remember the centre ID is 108223. If you cant remember your username and
password, please speak to your Computing teacher.
Other useful websites include:
http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_computing.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/standard/computing/
https://www.youtube.com/ (lots of fantastic videos on computing topics)

In addition, there is an OCR Revision Guide that you can purchase. There are
copies in the school shop.

13

Catering
This revision guide with notes is
available to download or buy as a
book from any bookseller

Available from the

school shop.

The Industry
Types of establishments that provide food & drink; contract caterers.
Health, Safety and Hygiene
Personal hygiene hand washing, general body hygiene, reporting sickness, protective clothing. Food
safety cleanliness, temperature control, cooking, monitoring and storage. The main points of the Food
Safety Act. Common causes of food contamination. Common types of food poisoning. Health and Safety
common health and safety signs, fire precautions, safe use of equipment. The main points of the Health
and Safety at Work Act. Simple first aid procedures. Risk Assessment identification and control of
hazards (HACCP).

Food Preparation, Cooking and Presentation

The importance of colour, texture, flavour, shape, temperature and time. A wide range of culinary
skills. Appropriate methods of cooking. Appropriate methods of presentation.
Nutrition and Menu Planning
Functions and sources of the main nutrients. Current healthy eating guidelines. Vegetarian
choices, nut allergies, wheat intolerance, lactose intolerance. Types of menu - table d'hte, la
carte and themed.
Job Roles
Chefs Head, Second (Sous), Pastry, Larder, Sauce, Vegetable, Assistant (Commis). Food and
Drink Service Restaurant Manager, Waiting Staff
Costing and Portion Control
Costing raw materials for a range of food items using standard recipes. The appropriate methods
of portion control and their significance.
Specialist Equipment
Small and large scale catering equipment - hand equipment- powered equipment. Small and large
scale food service equipment hand equipment. The safe use, care and cleaning of food
preparation and service equipment.
Communication and Record Keeping
Types of communication used, e.g. verbal, written, telephones, fax, ICT The need for accurate,
appropriate record keeping. Different methods of record keeping used in stock control, data
logging and restaurant bookings.
Environmental Considerations
Conservation of energy and water, when preparing food. Reduce, re-use and recycle waste in the
preparing and serving of meals. Why it is important for the industry to address these areas e.g.
sustainability. A range of disposable products and materials used for packaging and assess their
fitness for purpose appeal, temperature control, recycling, biodegradable, hygiene, cost, ease of
storage and handling.

14

Dance
The exam board used for GCSE Dance is AQA. This will be a valuable revision aid for the written
paper: www.aqa.org.uk/
On this website you will find past papers and their marks schemes. You can find these by typing
GCSE Dance into the search engine and then clicking the fourth link down (AQA GCSE Dance) in
there you will find past papers. I would suggest you try these under the supervised time of an hour
as this is how long the paper will be.
You can view 2 of the three sets works on: www.youtube.com, you can view BIRDSONG by
Siobhan Davies and NUTCRACKER! by Matthew Bourne on this website.
Miss Caddick will provide you with a GCSE Dance Revision booklet that will give you with relevant
information on:

Choreographic structures

Choreographic devices

Performance skills

Physical Setting and Lighting

Accompaniment

Costume

Nutcracker!

Birdsong

Ghost Dances

Faultline

There will also be exam style questions for you to answer and practise with.
Others ideas for revision in dance are:
Make Flash cards: Key words on one side and their definition on the other. (E.g. Action, canon)
Create power point presentations with a picture from a dance works on one slide and an area to
describe on the next (E.g. Costume, set, movement)
MAKE SURE! You have full descriptions of Costume, set Design, Lighting and Accompaniment for
TWO of the three Dance works we have studied.

15

Drama
To ensure your success in the written paper, read and re-read the set text Confusions as you will
not know what section they will give you to write about. There are two sections to the written
paper dont forget the second section! This is the part where they ask you to evaluate your
scripted performance for the examiner (Unit 2). It is worth taking the time at home to practice this
part give yourself 20 minutes to write a full evaluation.
Past papers can be found here: www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/drama/drama-gcse/
They will not be relevant to our script Confusions so just use them as a guide as to what you
might be asked.
To practice I would suggest you do this activity 3 times a week. Spend one hour every
time.
Choose a short section from the play say a couple of pages. Familiarise yourself with the
section and think about what is happening between the characters.
Thinking like a director and actor answer the following questions and pay attention to the
suggestions in italics:
1. How would the actor playing __________ move at the beginning of this section? You
should refer to the characters movements and facial expressions giving reasons for your
answer.
2. Describe a suitable costume for that same character in this section. In your answer refer
to the period, garments, colour and how costume choice, hair and make-up would
emphasise elements of the character.
3. As an actor how would you play the role of ___________ (another character from this
section) in this section?
In your answer you should refer to: Character motivation, Voice, Movement and gesture,
Interactions with other characters
Give reasons for your answers.
Now thinking like a stage designer answer the following questions again paying attention to the
italics:
1. Draw a basic labelled ground plan of your chosen stage showing only entrances, exits and
audience position. Write the name of the type of stage as a title.
2. Give a full written explanation of your design ideas for this section.
In your answer you should refer to:

your chosen production style and how it is linked to your choice of stage;

your choice of set;

how you would use colour to create atmosphere;

any other ideas you might like to include.

Further research would help you to describe the material, colour and style of the costumes
these characters would wear particularly if you choose to keep the play set in the 1970s.
The examiner will know if you have done this through your answer.
16

English Language
Unit 1
Section A Reading

1. Read through a magazine or newspaper article and identify all the presentational
devices and write 2 PEE paragraphs commenting on their overall effect and contribution
to the text
2. Create a poster to put up on your bedroom wall of all the key terms needed for Section
A with their definitions and effects created
3. Find a leaflet and explain in detail who you think is the intended audience and what the
intended purpose is. Provide evidence from the text to support your opinion
4. Read a newspaper or magazine article and summarise in your own words what the
main point of the article is
5. Find a copy of an advertisement. List all of the persuasive devices used in the advert
and then write a PEE paragraph explaining how the advertisement persuades the
reader to buy the product
6. Identify facts and opinions in articles or leaflets. How do these work together to engage
or influence the reader?
7. Read newspaper or magazine articles and highlight WHERE the story is taking place,
and WHAT happens
8. Read extracts from non-fiction books, such as biographies, and consider how language
is used to achieve effects
9. Refer to the past papers and practise responding to the questions, using the mark
scheme to assess your answers
Section B Writing

1. Complete posters of each of the writing styles (inform, explain, describe, argue,
persuade) and put them up on your bedroom wall
2. Describe a person who inspires you
3. Write a speech for Year 11 students informing them of the importance of exam revision
4. Write an article arguing for or against 16 year olds being given the vote
5. Write a letter to Mr Peacey persuading him to build a swimming pool at the school
6. Explain what your dreams and ambitions are for the future
7. Learn three new words every day to use in your writing
8. Experiment with using a variety of punctuation to enhance your written style
9. Practise planning written responses use spider diagrams to plan at least 5 paragraphs

17

English Literature
Of Mice and Men
1. Write a 200 word summary of the story, identifying the key events
2. Create a chart in which you identify the key themes in the novel. Under each theme write
down key events and quotations that relate to each theme
3. Create character profiles of the key characters in the novel. Include features of their
personality, key events/chapters, quotations, and how they drive events in the text
4. Consider the authors message. What is Steinbeck trying to say? Is the story moral?
5. Research and revise the social and historical context of the novel
6. Brainstorm ways in which the context of the novel is evident in the story
7. Complete a timed essay at home; give yourself 45 minutes to complete the task
The Crucible or An Inspector Calls
1. Write a 200 word summary of the play, identifying the key events
2. Write a PEE paragraph explaining what the main themes and ideas are within the play
3. Create character profiles of key characters in the play. Include features of their personality,
how they change (or not) over the course of the play, and include key quotations for each
character
4. Revise each Act separately where does it take place? What do we learn about the
characters in each Act?
5. Create a tension graph to show changes over the course of the play
6. Complete a time essay at home; give yourself 45 mins to complete the task
Literature Poetry
1. Create a detailed chart demonstrating the links between the poems
2. Write a 100 word summary of each poem including how the poem portrays/explores the theme
of conflict or relationships (depending on which cluster you have studied!)
3. Look at the poems written in first person. How does this affect the way the poem is
understood?
4. Create a poster for your bedroom wall that has a list of connectives and connective phrases
that you can use in your comparison essays
5. Select on key quotation for each poem that you have studied and explain what the reader
learns from this. Look at key words specifically in your explanation and try to provide an
alternative interpretation of the quotation
6. Complete a timed essay at home give yourself 30 mins
7. Practise responding to unseen poems identify language features, themes and ideas
Useful Revision Websites
www.aqa.org.uk (exam board syllabus information and past papers)
www.universalteacher.org.uk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature
www.sparknotes.com
www.englishbiz.co.uk
www.s-cool.co.uk
www.revisioncentre.co.uk
www.samlearning.com (useful for practising spelling, punctuation and grammar)
www.litcharts.com
www.shmoop.com
www.cliffnotes.com
18

Geography
Exam board Edexcel, Geography A.
Revision guides Revise Edexcel GCSE Geography A Geographical Foundations for the
linear spec Revision Guide.
My revision notes Tomorrows Geography for Edexcel GCSE spec A Steph Warren.
3 examinations in total 1 - Unit 1 Geographical skills and Challenges - 1 hour
2 Unit 2 The Natural Environment 1 hour 15 minutes
3 Unit 3 The Human Environment 1 hour 15 minutes

Topics to revise Remember case studies are vital!

Unit 1
Geographical skills
Challenges to the planet

Unit 2
Coasts
Tectonics
Rivers
Watery World

Unit 3
Population Change
A Tourists World
Settlement Change
Economic Change

Top Tips for revising Geography

-

Revise in short bursts 20-30 minutes at a time, split up the topics so you are revising a
different element every time, not just going over the same topic make a timetable!
Case study cards including key specific facts
Glossaries
Annotated diagrams
Writing notes in red pen (its meant to make you recall facts you cant remember!)
Practise exam questions and mark them using the mark scheme
Thought showers for each topic
Useful websites - School, bitesize, coolgeography, Edexcel website past papers

19

Graphics
Main Topics to Revise and Cover
Design Process (Brief, Research, Specification etc.)
Printing Processes
Charts and Graphs- Bar, Pictographs, Flowcharts, Pie sequential,
schematic
Printing Effect
Typography, logos, icons and signs
Drawing Techniques
Materials- Modelling, Smart, Packaging, thermoplastics & actual
product
Key Designers- R.Sabuda, W.Ollins, A.Alessi, M.Calvert,
J.Kinnier, H.Beck
Card and Paper- Sizes, types, how is it is made
CAD/CAM and ICT
Quality Control/ Quality Assurance, risk assessment, health and
safety
Production methods (continuous, mass, batch, one off)
Mechanisms and paper engineering
Moral, Social, Environmental, Sustainable and Economical Issues
Tools, equipment, and machine used for modelling in school
Tips
Read each question carefully, particularly as it may give you a
clue to a future question
Make sure you have the correct equipment (see equipment list)
Look at the mark allocation per question and give sufficient time
for this (a general rule 1 minute per mark)
Put an answer for every question
Read through the whole exam paper before answering, to get
an idea of the whole exam (you may get tips/ answers for
previous questions)

Exam theme is...

Promoting
Firework
Safety for
Children
Equipment List
Needed for Exam

2 HB Pencils
Range of colour pencils
Sharpener
Rubber
30cm Ruler
Set Square (60x30x90)
Set Square (45x45x90)
Compass
Black biro
Black outliner

USEFUL BOOKS:

CGP, GCSE D&T Graphic Products AQA Specification,

The revision Guide
(ISBN ISBN 978 1 84762 356 0)
AQA Design and Technology,Graphic Products
(ISBN ISBN 978 1 4085-0274-7)
Both books available from Amazon and other websites
USEFUL WEBSITES:
http://www.technologystudent.com/
http://www.mr-dt.com/graphics/main.htm
http://www.mr-d-n-t.co.uk/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/graphics/
And of course the its learning wesbite that is accessible from the MRUS website, has more
brilliant information, links, your revision list/topics and also past exam papers which you must
download and attempt!!!
20

History
We are doing the OCR exam board for history.
The following website has useful podcasts for students to download:
http://www.mrallsophistory.com/revision.html
Other web sites for revision:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir1/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/germany/

This covers:
The Treaty of Versailles
The League of Nations
The Road to war
The Weimar Republic
Nazi Germany

Useful Revision guides:

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ICT
The exam board used for GCSE ICT is Edexcel. The exam, Living in a Digital World, lasts for 1
hours and is worth 40% of the final mark. You will have completed 60% of the course through the
Controlled Assessment task. The website for the GCSE ICT is
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/ict-2010.html.
Your teacher will issue you with lots of revision materials that you can use. These will include
practice papers.
The topics that you need to revise are:

Personal digital devices

Connectivity
Operating online
Online goods and services
Online communities
Issues

Other useful websites include:

http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new.html
On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/ search for GCSE ICT Edexcel. This will bring you to a
whole range of revision videos. Some examples are listed below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om-z-QBpAsw (ICT GCSE Speed Revision Topics 1-3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MW8rag7ed0 Topic 1 Computer Systems and Mobile
Technologies GCSE ICT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCEJOysFQws&list=PL1_BC3C6QlMkthfmpyQcoX1oCjA9phm
yY Uses of Digital Devices (from here you can find a number of lectures on Digital Devices).

In addition, there is an Edexcel GCSE ICT revision guide that you can purchase.
Copies are available in the school shop.

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Modern Foreign Languages

French
AQA website - Past papers and mark schemes
http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/french_a_assess.php
French teacher.net - More complex resources and grammar exercises
http://www.frenchteacher.net/sheets.htm
French index - Vocabulary and very useful grammar exercises
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/rgshiwyc/school/curric/hotpotatoes/frenchindex.htm
MFL Sunderland - Very good for vocabulary
http://www.sunderlandschools.org/mfl-sunderland/resources-fr-ks4-wks.htm#pd
Useful tips for A/A*
http://www.myfrenchresources.com/%5CResources%5CKS4%20FRENCH%20RESOURCES%5C
EXAM%20AND%20REVISION%20SUPPORT%5CInstructions%20to%20succeed%20the%20writi
ng%20exam.pdf

Extremely good for revisions for GCSE type questions

http://www.myfrenchresources.com/%5CResources%5CKS4%20FRENCH%20RESOURCES%5C
EXAM%20AND%20REVISION%20SUPPORT%5CInstructions%20to%20succeed%20the%20writi
ng%20exam.pdf

Good GCSE video, good for listening

http://www.ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk/Curriculum/modlang/french/index_fr_video.htm

KS3, 4 and 5 resources

http://www.myfrenchresources.com/
Reading Higher and Foundation exercises:
http://www.wildfrench.co.uk/

23

Italian

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/ Audio and video resources

http://italian.about.com/ Pronunciation tips, grammar, audio
http://www.atantot.com/Ks2it.htm Basic vocab free access after 4pm
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/rgshiwyc/school/curric/HotPotatoes/italianindex.htm Basic vocab
and key verbs
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline/italian/italian.htm Basic vocab and easy games
http://www.oneworlditaliano.com/english/italian/italian-exercises-free-online.htm
revision and practice

Grammar

Spanish

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/rgshiwyc/school/curric/hotpotatoes/spanishindex.htm
AQA website for practice papers.
http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/languages/new/spanish_materials.php?id=08&prev=11
http://atantot.co.uk

There is also the following website for all 3 languages:

www.linguascope.co.uk
Login: Rutherford
Password: homework13

24

Mathematics
Revision Guides/Resources

CGP GCSE Maths Edexcel Linear Revision Guide (available from the school shop)
Maths Watch CD Rom (available from the school shop)
Maths Watch Online (available on the school website under learning centre)
Practice papers and solutions available on Its Learning
www.mymaths.co.uk
www.mangahigh.com

Revision Tips for Mathematics

Work hard in all lessons and produce all home works to at least your target grade.
Attend the maths surgery after school each Thursday to receive help with current
classwork, homework or difficulties you have with a particular topic.
Know your tier of entry (Higher or Foundation).
Use a download of the specification or the Graded Skills Booklet, provided by your
teacher, so that you know what topics you need to cover.
Highlight your strengths and weaknesses so you know the topics you need to revise.
Spread the topics you need to revise over your revision timetable between now and the
exam.
Use the revision guide / maths watch CD / mymaths website to revise the how to do.
Worked examples are really useful so you know what has to be done and why.
Try practice questions available on maths watch CD and the mymaths website.
If you dont understand re-watch the mathswatch CD or work through the mymaths
lesson.
Use the 6 week revision programme linked to the maths watch CD which requires
about 20 minutes per night watching the video clips in order to cover the whole course.
Work through practice papers (available on Its Learning) and past exam papers. The
best way to revise maths is to practise.
Do one past paper under proper exam conditions get someone to supervise you.
Work with friends, asking each other questions and teach each other difficult topics.
Make revision enjoyable!
Learn the formulae triangles.
Put the formulae you need to learn off by heart on posters around your bedroom.
Learn how best to use your calculator sort out the basics, then the fancier buttons
which make life easier.

Make sure you have the correct equipment for the exam

2 pens (black ink), 2 pencils, ruler (with scale visible), eraser, sharpener, compasses,
protractor
Calculator (with new or spare batteries) for the calculator paper

25

Media Studies Revision Tips!

The exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes long. It will be based on the pre-release material (the brief).
There are four tasks to complete, one of which is a creative piece (storyboard, website
homepage etc.). All tasks are worth 15 marks, therefore you should aim to spend an equal
amount of time on each (around 22 minutes).
When you receive the pre-release material:

Use the four weeks before the exam to plan effectively lesson time will be spent only on
this.
Ensure you know what the brief (pre-release material) is asking of you.
Pay particular attention to WHAT you are creating, and WHO you are creating it for.
Practice writing in role you are responding to the company who have set the task.
Ensure you practice creating a range of practical artefacts you could be asked to
storyboard the opening credits or design the website homepage, for example.

Your exam topic - Television News

Be familiar with:

Codes and conventions of TV news programmes

How news stories are chosen an ordered in the programme
How the newsreader/other presenters speak and behave
How news programmes differ depending on time of day and channel
How news programmes have developed historically and how they make use of new
technology (including social media)
How audiences respond to different news programmes
Ensure you continue to WATCH and ANALYSE news programmes as you approach the
exam!

Dont forget the four key concepts. You will be expected to cover these through your exam
responses, whether talking about existing products or analysing your own:

Language (media terminology and analysis)

Audience (who has been targeted, how audiences influence media products)
Representation (how people, places and things are presented in the media stereotyping)
Institution (who creates media products, how they are regulated)

Useful websites:
BBC Bitesize - http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/ztnygk7
Media Knowall (good for key concepts)
http://www.mediaknowall.com/gcse/keyconceptsgcse/keycon.php?pageID=keyterms
Media Knowall (TV News pages) http://mediaknowall.com/gcse/news/news.php?pageID=tvnews
How to construct a storyboard: http://accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource/
Glossary of key film terms: http://community.dur.ac.uk/m.p.thompson/filmterms.htm
26

Music GCSE Questions If in Doubt!

Describe the timbral (timbre) effect used
Brass instruments
Mute

What is the Dynamic mark used?

Piano for if the music is quiet

String instruments

Arco (Bowing)
Pizzicato (Plucking)

Drums -

Using brushes
Using sticks

Guitars -

Distortion
Delay
Reverb

Forte - for if the music is loud

Describe the Rhythms used

Syncopation
Cross rhythms
Triplets
Polyrhythms
Son Clave Rhythm
Back Beat

Describe the tonality

Major or Minor
Atonal or Modal

Harmonic Devices
Drone
Pedal

What Metre/Time
Signature is used?
4/4
3/4
6/8

Describe how the melody moves

Name the Cadence
Perfect
Plagal
Interrupted
Imperfect
Tierce de picardie

Harmony keywords:

By Step, by Leap, Scalic, Arpeggio

Consonant
Dissonant
Chromatic
Diatonic
Dominant 7th

Name the melodic

device

Order of Sharps

Order of Flats

Describe the texture of the extract

FCGDAEB

BEADGCF

Monophonic has one layer of

sound

What key does the music

Modulate to?
Dominant
Sub Dominant
Relative Minor
Tonic Minor

Homophonic has two layers of

sound
Polyphonic has many layers of
sound but all are independent
Canon or a Round

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Riff/ostinato
Sequence
Augmentation
Diminution
Pitch bends
Inversions
Ornament
Improvisation
Imitation
Repetition
Passing notes

Name the Melody instrument

Italian Tempo terms:

Slow
Adagio
Lento
Largo
Grave

Medium
Moderato
Andante
Andantino

Go to BBC Bite size and listen to the

instruments on the elements of music
section
Remember the Saxophone is a
woodwind instrument.

Fast
Allegro
Vivace
Presto

Structure of the piece:

Classical
Binary
Ternary
Rondo
Canon
Ground Bass/Continuo
Theme and variation
Sonata
Minuet and Trio

Popular
Strophic
Through composed
Pop song structure
12 Bar blues

World music
Call and response or Antiphonal
Cyclic
Arch shape

Vocal devices and techniques

Articulation:
Staccato
Legato
Slur

A cappella
Portomento - Slide
Melisma or Syllabic
Vibrato
Falsetto
Rapping

Chords used in chord

progressions:
Major
I or 1
IV or 4
V or 5

Minor
VI or 6
II or 2
III or 3

Ornaments used:

Drumming devices and techniques

Fills
Played with brushes
Instrument
Families:

Name the
voice

Woodwind
Brass
Strings
Percussion

Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Bass

Types of ensembles
Male choir
Female Choir
Mixed choir
Duet, Trio, Quartet etc.
Orchestra
Chamber orchestra
Windband
Samba group
African drumming
Rock band
Pop band

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Trills
Mordents
Grace notes
Acciaccatura
Appoggiatura

Other Keywords:
Leitmotif
Fusion
Parallel movement
Alberti Bass
Rubato

Physical Education
Useful materials for revision can be found on the schools Its Learning site, BBC Bitesize
website, Pocket poster revision guide (2) and in the Edexcel revision guide (5) (the CD
in this is very useful). The school shop stocks another revision guide (4), Revision
Workbook (4) and a Revision DVD (3).
Mon /Wed Lunch & Thurs/Fri afterschool

How Long?
Plan to revise for at least 1 hour a day in the lead up to your exam.
E.g. 20 minutesbreak20 minutesbreak20 minutes

Top 10 Revision Tips

1. Make a revision timetable and stick to it
2. Practise, practise, PRACTISE!
3.

Revise in distraction free environments

4.

Work hard - earn your planned breaks

5. Get enough sleep before the exam

6. Use different revision methods
7. Dont leave it to the last minute
8. Attend school revision sessions
9. Use colour and diagrams in revision notes
10. Condense notes onto revision cards.

29

Religious Education
Use a variety of different revision techniques
Attend Intervention Sessions in school
Work through past year papers
Systematically reduce your notes until they consist of keywords
Learn a range of material relating to a particular topic so that you are able to be flexible in
your answers
Know that half the battle with revision is starting, therefore use a variety of approaches to
starting revision that are effective
Learn key words and appropriate vocabulary
Systematically learn material thoroughly
Learn all topics well
Concentrate on the topic you are revising
Know the link between effort and attainment
Complete your coursework before it is time to start revise
Discuss your revision with parents, teachers and friends
Use any opportunity to revise, e.g. an unexpected absence by your teacher

Websites you will find useful for Religious Education

1. Ensure that you buy a revision guide. Purchase at school shop or Amazon
2. Go over practice past papers. (Collect some from any teacher in the RE
department.)
3. Access the school Its learning. Revision material has been placed there for you.
4. For Past papers and Revision materials use Sites below:http://www.edexcel.com/i-am-a/student/Pages/Pastpapers.aspx
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
http://www.teachre.com/
http://www.reonline.org.uk/knowing/what-re/christianity/
http://request.org.uk/oldsite/unpacked/teachings/teachings.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/

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Resistant Materials
Summer Exam (2 hours, 120 marks, 40% of the grade)
Examination Focus
The Exam lasts for 2 Hours and you need to supply a black ball point-pen, a pencil, a ruler, an
eraser, a pencil sharpener and coloured pencils. The maximum marks for the paper is 120.
There is a specific theme for Section A which will be published on the 1st March this will be given
to you by your teacher. All the questions in Section A will follow the Design Process and each
question/task leads on from the one on the previous page; so it is important to look ahead before
committing your answer to paper. For example, there will be a question on specifications where
you will be asked to produce 3 justified specification points based on the design brief. You would
then be asked to produce 5 creative, sketched and annotated ideas and then be asked to evaluate
the ideas against the specification points you have listed previously.
All sketches should be completed in pencil and, annotated as per the instructions in the question
and the guidelines. For example, details of materials and finishes (3 marks) method of
construction (3 marks) design features and sizes (3 marks), quality of sketches (3 marks).
You should practise sketching to a good quality in 3D to improve your skill and speed.
The second section relates to tools and equipment, sustainability and the 6 Rs, health and safety,
stages of making a batch of 10 products and Smart Materials. There may also be questions on
market influences, product maintenance, and quality control.

You will have researched the context leading up to the exam, so it should not phase you in any
way providing you have followed the guidance given.
As always, read the question and be clear what it is asking of you.
Useful Revision Websites:
Materials and processes
Smart Materials: http://designinsite.dk/htmsider/md950.htm
General revision guides covering all topics
http://www.technologystudent.com/
http://design-technology.info/revisionguides/rm-revision/default.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/resistantmaterials/
www.design-technology.info

31

Science
Online revision guides for Core and Additional Science can be accessed at
www.CollinsOnlineLearning.co.uk username: 50pupil and password: kw03 Click on the
Essentials Revision guides. You will also find electronic textbooks for all the science GCSE
courses including the triple science units.
Double award students will be taking OCR Gateway Additional Science unit 1 (B3,C3,P3) and
unit 2 (B4,C4,P4) this summer. It is a good idea to check the specification, you will find it together
with past papers and mark schemes on the OCR website: www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcsegateway-science-suite-additional-science-b-j262-from-2012.
Past papers can also be collected from the science department.
BBC GCSE Bitesize revision has tutorials and tests
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_gateway/
We strongly recommend using the OCR Gateway Additional Science revision guide which can be
bought from the school shop for 3.50.
Triple Award students will be taking 6 exams in June, they can access Gateway Biology,
Chemistry and Physics specifications, past papers and mark schemes on the OCR website. Past
papers are also available from the science department. BBC Bitesize has triple science revision
materials at www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/triple_ocr_gateway/
Single GCSE students will be doing OCR Gateway Core unit 1(B1,C1,P1) and unit 2(B2,C2,P2)
this summer. For these students the links for bitesize and the exam board are:
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway/
www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-gateway-science-suite-science-b-j261-from-2012/

Revision Ideas

Revise key points several times to make them stick.

Dont copy out the revision guide, you will run out of time.
Make summaries of the information; try to get the whole topic onto one side of A4 paper.
Create spider diagrams/concept maps and stick them on your wall. Use different colours.
Try Look, Cover, Write, Check" or get someone to test you.
To learn diagrams, draw a copy of the diagram without labels then add labels from memory.
Highlight key words and ideas in your revision guide.
Make your own revision cards. Try putting questions on one side and answers on the other.
Practise on real exam questions and use the mark scheme to check your answers.
Work with somebody else and take it in turns to teach each other.
Download and use a CGP revision App from www.cgpbooks.co.uk/apps/home.asp

32