Part of castle school education trust

"Castle School Education Trust is committed to high quality education across the primary, secondary and sixth form key stages. Our schools cover the South Gloucestershire area. We encourage independence within each school within a strong framework of values."

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Downend

To report a child's absence for years 7-11 please email dow-studentabsence@cset.co.uk or call 01454 862395.  For 6th Form please call 01454 862333.  

Preparing for Examinations (KS4)

In Year 11, we provide students with a wide range of support to help them prepare for their GCSE examinations at the end of Key Stage 4. These exams mark the culmination of their secondary education and are an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and ambition to external examiners and gain nationally recognised qualifications which they will carry with them for life.

We place strong emphasis on developing effective revision skills and the ability to work under pressure, equipping students to face their exams with confidence.

Students are taught how to create balanced revision plans that account for all their subjects, while also maintaining their well-being. They learn evidence-based revision techniques grounded in cognitive science and benefit from ongoing support provided by subject teachers, house teams, and senior leaders. Regular assemblies throughout the year offer additional guidance, covering topics such as stress management and how to create an optimal study environment at home.

Year 11 students sit two rounds of Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs) ahead of their final GCSEs - typically in November and again in February or March. These PPEs give students a realistic experience of exam hall conditions, invigilation, and the regulations set by exam boards. They also provide valuable insights into time management and identify any gaps in knowledge, allowing students to focus their revision in the lead-up to the final exams. By the summer, students are well-prepared and confident in their exam routines.

 

Important Dates 2025/2026

   

 30th September

Year 11 Parents & Carers Information Evening

 4th - 14th November

 PPE1

 20th November

 6th Form Open Evening (students sign up via link shared via Google Classroom)

 Start of December

 Year 11 PR1 issued

 11th December

 Year 11 Parents Evening 1

 2nd February - 27th February

 PPE2 (Spans half term)

 End of March

 Year 11 PR2 issued

 26th March

 Year 11 Parents Evening 2

 2nd May

 Confirmation of Post 16 destination deadline

 w/c 4th May

 GCSE exams begin (NB some subjects will have completed their in-school  GCSE assessments by then)  

 

Year 11 Parents & Carers Information Evening

 

Slides from the parent and carer information evening can be found here:  Year 11 2025

Year 11 Newsletters 2025/2026

 

Y11 Parent & Carer Newsletter 1 - 170925

  Y11 Parent & Carer Newsletter 2 - 141025

Y11 Parent & Carer Newsletter 3 -171125

 

Independent revision 

GCSE Exam Boards and Links to Past Papers

 Art: AQA
Business: Edexcel
Computing: OCR
Design Technology: AQA
Drama: AQA
Engineering (Manufacturing and Electronics): OCR Cambridge National
English: AQA
Food: AQA
Geography: AQA
History: AQA
Languages: AQA
Maths: AQA
Media: OCR
Music: AQA
RS: AQA
Science: AQA
Sport Studies: OCR Cambridge National

AQA past papers can be found here: AQA
Edexcel past papers can be found here: Edexcel
OCR past papers can be found here: OCR  

 

Subject Guided Revision Documents

 

  

Revision Resources

 Blank revision timetable

Revision plan example (Holiday)

Revision plan example (Term time)

 

Revision Guides

 A wide range of revision guides are available to supplement the materials provided by school.  Your child's teacher will be able to advise them should they have any queries.

Publishers include (but are not limited to):

  • CGP
  • Cambridge University Press
  • Clear Revise
  • Collins
  • Oxford Revise

 

Revision Websites

 

 Educake

Seneca

Sparx