With our Year 11 PPE examinations taking place in November, now is the perfect time for year 11 students to begin preparing and getting themselves into positive revision habits. PPEs are an important opportunity for students to see how much they have learnt so far, identify areas they need to work on and practise the skills they will need for their final GCSE examinations next May.

Start now, little and often!

Students do not need to spend hours revising every evening. In fact, little and often is one of the most effective ways to revise. Starting early and completing manageable amounts of revision regularly will help students to build their knowledge and avoid feeling overwhelmed as the exams get closer.

Students should consider creating a revision timetable that includes short revision sessions during the week, with longer sessions at the weekend. Remember, revision should be regular and purposeful rather than simply spending hours looking at notes.

Make the most of your teachers

One of the biggest revision tools students have is their teachers. Students should make the most of the expertise around them by asking questions, seeking clarification and asking teachers to go over topics or concepts they do not fully understand.

If there is something that doesn’t make sense, ask! There is no such thing as a silly question. Teachers are there to support students and help them identify what they need to do to make progress.

Revision ideas to try at home

There are lots of different ways to revise, and students should find the methods that work best for them. Some useful strategies include:

• Creating a revision timetable and sticking to it.

• Using flashcards to test knowledge and key information.

• Creating concise revision notes rather than copying out large amounts of information.

• Completing past papers and exam questions to practise applying knowledge.

• Using mark schemes to identify mistakes and understand how to improve.

• Returning to topics regularly rather than revising something once and then moving on.

• Asking someone at home to test them on key facts, vocabulary or concepts.

• Focusing extra revision time on topics they find more challenging.

Success starts in school

Revision does not only happen at home. What students do every day in school will have a huge impact on their success.

We encourage all Year 11 students to:

Attend school every day: every lesson matters, and missing learning can create gaps that become increasingly difficult to catch up on.

Arrive on time: being punctual means students don’t miss important explanations, instructions or the beginning of lessons.

Participate in lessons: listen carefully, contribute, complete work and make the most of every learning opportunity.

Ask questions: if something isn’t understood, speak to the teacher and seek help.

Attend additional revision sessions: make the most of any extra support available before or after school.

Don’t forget your wellbeing

Preparing for GCSEs and PPEs can feel stressful, and it is completely normal for students to feel worried or under pressure at times. However, looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as revision.

Students should make sure they take regular breaks and continue to do the things that make them happy. Spend time with friends, enjoy time with family, exercise, get outside, listen to music, watch a film, play a game or simply take some time to relax.

Do things that fill your cup.