Our Blog

What Influences Students?

With the recent release of Netflix’s Adolescence, the question of what influences young minds has naturally come to the fore. It is well known that students are constantly aware of the influence and expectations of their peers. This blog has recently written on this and the influence of peers upon student performance and behaviour. Impact of The Internet As Adolescence has shown, the interne...

Using the Easter Break to Prepare for the First Exam

With the Easter Break quickly approaching, it is an ideal time for students to start their exam preparations. Planning We are now at time of writing only 52 days away from the first GCSE exams, and 56 days before A Level students begin their own examination period. Strong, structured preparation is the key to success for any project, but for some students this can be particularly challengin...

The Question of Cardiff University Cuts

Recent news that Wales’ largest and only Russell Group university, Cardiff University, is setting out plans to cut 400 full-time jobs amidst a £31m funding shortfall has rocked the Welsh education network (BBC News - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k5n0k101lo). These jobs will see some schools merged, with some reductions in staffing, whilst elsewhere entire schools will be closed followi...

Should there be a National Phone Ban in All Schools?

With news that St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School has joined the ranks of schools across the nation to successfully implement a phone ban, attention has now turned to the possibility of a nationwide policy of “phone free schools”. In such schools, phones are prohibited within school hours – with many adopting “phone lockers” where devices are locked between the hours of 9am and 3pm. Su...

How to make the best of the Festive Break

With the festive break upon us, students and learners can take a well-earned and needed break. The festive break however also offers a golden opportunity to gain a competitive advantage in upcoming assessments – particularly for A Level students. Whilst many students will take the next few weeks off, those who take the later period of the break to kickstart their studies are likely to see greate...

What is The Value of Tutoring?

What is the value of tutoring? The Department of Education (DfE) notes that tutoring consistently raises pupil attainment – particularly for those from under-privileged backgrounds. The value of these findings is reflected in DfE’s rollout of the National Tutoring Programme in 2020 to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic upon students – to great success! The Sutton Trust, an educational char...

Preparing for November GCSE Exams

As the November GCSE exams approach, many pupils across Wales are gearing up for a critical opportunity to improve their grades or sit their exams for the first time. Whether a pupil is retaking a subject or attempting to secure higher marks, it's essential they adopt a structured approach to revision. Here are some tips to help pupils revise. Create a Realistic Revision Plan A wel...

Screentime and Back-To-School Routines

September can be an exciting time for some, and a rather difficult time for others. Getting back into school routines can be tricky, therefore in this blog we will discuss ways you can support your child in getting back into the swing of school life. Prepare the Night Before School There is nothing worse than running late in the morning, trying to find the second trainer for P.E or...

Preparing for University

A-Level Results Day has just passed—a day filled with excitement, nerves, and often, significant decisions. It’s a milestone that marks the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of a new chapter: university. Whether your results were what you hoped for or not, there are steps you can take to prepare for university and make the most of this transition. Here, we’ll guide you thro...

Making The Most of Summer

Many schools are breaking up for the summer holidays this week, and while most students are looking forward to a break – that will not be the case for everyone. Some parents too might be excited to spend more time with their children, whereas others might be struggling for childcare and can feel the pressure to make the six-weeks-holidays as fun as possible. In this blog, we will discuss a fe...