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From Exams to Excellence: Preparing for the Next Academic Chapter

So, we have passed through the exam period. Congratulations, you made it! All those hours of revision, preparation, the late nights and exam day frights – it is finally over. No more exam eve rush, no more “why am I putting myself through this” – you can finally relax. Now the time has come to shift down and prepare for summer. Hopefully many of you will be expecting great results come res...

School Closures-What Next?

Many have you might have seen the recent news that St Clare's School in Porthcawl and Oakleigh House in Swansea, both private schools owned by Cognita, are to be closed (Wales Online - https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education/two-top-welsh-private-schools-31604254). The news came as a shock to many, ironically including this author who has been working as a supply teacher in St Clare’s. The ...

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...