Making the Months to GCSE Count

With many of our year 11 students having taken their mocs in the last couple of weeks, everything is probably starting to feel very real.

Some students will be delighted with their results, for others it will be the shock they needed to gear them into the world of revision ready for the Summer exams. What can we be doing as parents and how can we help?

Don’t panic at the results.

It is not usual for the mocs to be a slight shock to the system. For many students this helps them see what they need to do. It also helps school realise any gaps and what they need to put in place. It is not necessarily the time to go into panic mode, shut out all other activities except for revision.

Look at the end goal and work back.

What do they need for the next stage of their education? What are the grades and which subjects to do what they really want to do? Focus a lot of the energy around these subjects on their revision timetable to help boost the ones they are most going to need. As a team, know what these are and what they are aiming for. I would take more note of the goal for the next stage than predicted levels at times as these can feel more manageable, especially if after mocs the gap feels quite wide.

Try not to assume students know how to revise.

It is all well and good us telling our children to go and revise but be prepared that they might have no idea how to do that. You know your child and how they think and learn. Work with them to make a timetable, learn in ways that engage them and take an active interest in what they are doing. Check in with them, bring them a cup of tea or whatever you know they like. This shows support for the process and will keep them motivated.

Help them filter distractions.

It isn’t just children who are addicted to their phones and devices we all are. Rather than remove them totally, as part of their revision, help them to learn ways to minimise the distractions. Leave the phone somewhere put on do not disturb. Help them factor time for gaming into their evening around work not instead of it.

Break down the requirement of each subject.

Different subjects have different revision paths. Maths, for examples, a few minutes daily can make a real difference. Sparx or those student with Learn and Bloom with Method Maths accounts are a great way of keeping on top of maths work. Science might be a science an evening and using various tools and sites to help.

Build in downtime

Come the end of this term, and at each holiday, students are exhausted, There is a lot of pressure on their shoulders, and like us, they need a rest. Factor this in. Have time over Christmas, to switch off and relax. Use the time to make the plan for the next month with revision. Plan in something they love, a shopping trip, cinema trip something. This you can enjoy together and reward them for keeping working away.

In so many ways GCSE’s are a team sport. It is about helping our young people navigate life and all its dramas, the joys of teenage hormones and planning and prepping for these exams, the first major ones they will take. Embrace them together. Feel free to reach out to our team if you have any questions. We are always here to help and support.