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Building time to read into the busy summer activity schedule is super important because research shows there are so many benefits to reading that go beyond simply maintaining the pre-summer level of reading fluency. A recent study commissioned for the National year of Reading found that more than four in five children (84%) say reading helps them learn new words for feelings and emotions, helping them to build their vocabulary and express themselves more effectively. Reading

The UCAS personal statement is one of the most important parts of your university application. Universities want to understand your motivation, your academic preparation, and the experiences that have helped you get ready for higher education. The personal statament is your opportunity to show admissions tutors who you are, why you are passionate about your chosen subject, and what makes you a strong candidate. Here's how to make each section of your personal statement stand

Low stakes testing is one of the simplest and most effective ways students can strengthen their learning. Essentially, it involves checking that knowledge is securely stored in memory through small, low-pressure quizzes or tests. It works on two levels because when students know the correct answers it provides a real boost to confidence and even when answers are incorrect, the act of trying to recall information helps the brain retain it more effectively over time. There are

Surprisingly, one of the simplest but most powerful memory techniques that students can use is as simple as just talking through the ideas they want to try and commit to memory. This simple strategy is supported by psychological research into what is termed the ‘production effect’ which has shown that talking through important ideas or even just reading them aloud can make the ideas stand out in the brain and potentially be easier to recall from memory when needed in an exa

The exam season is creeping closer and closer so today I want to share one of the most effective revision strategies that all young people can use when revising - blurting! Blurting works because it harnesses the power of low stakes practice testing and retrieval practice - it is a super easy strategy to use and can even be used on the go! Essentially, the strategy of blurting requires pupils to recall everything they remember about a topic or subtopic in a short amount of ti

We are quickly approaching exam season and stress levels are beginning to rise. Parents and pupils know that now is the time for revision but knowing that and putting it into practice are two very different things! So over the next couple of weeks I am going to share some tried and tested tips to boost revision and help grow that all important confidence. Organisation is key to revision and exam preparation. Pupils need to know exactly what will be assessed in each exam- this

T he concept of a growth mindset comes from the work of psychologist Dr Carol Dweck. A growth mindset is the belief that skills and intelligence develop through effort, practice, and support. Children who develop a growth mindset understand that successful learning takes time and effort and that mistakes are a natural and valuable part of the process. As Carol Dweck explains: “In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening.” This is very different from a

Teenagers today are growing up in a world saturated with screens. Phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs are a constant presence. Technology...

We all hope our children will be enthusiastic about learning, enjoy going to school, and build confidence in their abilities. Sadly, for...

The start of a new school year brings fresh opportunities — but also new challenges. For many GCSE and A-Level students, the pressure of...