Learning by heart

Easter is the key revision period for GCSE pupils at Rydal Penrhos and beyond, as schools finish teaching the syllabus and attention turns to fastapproaching exams. Mocks will be over, results received, and key targets identified.

Now is the time to consolidate understanding, fill any knowledge gaps and really get to grips with what the examiners are looking for. Many pupils will not have clear techniques for revision and may not have sat public examinations before.

Exam sitting, like most things in life, is a skill that can be taught, and one that we are very keen on developing here at Rydal Penrhos. Similarly revising (i.e. the process of reviewing content to remember and understand it) is a learnt skill. At Rydal Penrhos, we understand that each and every one of our pupils are individuals who learn in different ways and hence they quite often need to use different strategies and tools for revision.

Rydal Penrhos can officially confirm a dedicated GCSE Revision Week during the Easter holidays to assist the exam preparations of not only our current pupils, but also any other young people from across the North Wales area that might be interested. The revision days will include:

J Expert tuition in core subjects from experienced teachers, some of whom are examiners; all are DBS checked

J Small class sizes, with a maximum of 10 pupils

J Meeting other pupils who are in the same situation! Revision can be lonely but being with other pupils can offer some reassurance and inspire the kind of peer discussion that can prove a powerful tool for clarifying understanding

J Tailored tuition where possible; if pupils can identify the topics they specifically wish to focus on in advance, we will try to include these in the days’ schedules

J Immersion in the subject, with up to a seven-hour day of distraction-free focus

J Teachers will also ensure each pupil understands the assessment objectives for their subject and exam board, and therefore gain a clear understanding of what the examiner is looking for

The GCSE Revision Week is set to take place over two days:

Wednesday 12th April and Thursday 13th April 2023. The first day will focus on two of the most important subjects that lie at the heart of the curriculum; Mathematics and English. The second day will turn attention towards Science, with tuition in both Biology and Physics.

These intensive days will also consist of how to better prepare mentally and practically for exams, providing helpful tips on how to attain peak performance along with essential revision tips and guidance.

This is an incredible opportunity for Rydal Penrhos pupils and GCSE candidates from other schools to get additional support and guidance ahead of their exams. The school is proud to have a rich history of exam results in recent years, which continued to go from strength to strength despite unprecedented uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

We understand that keeping stress levels low during examinations is a key factor in performance. Timely preparations can reduce these complications to a great extent and after thorough revision, pupils become more comfortable in an exam setting and are impacted far less by exam stress that can have a detrimental impact on performance. Those who commit heavily to revising a topic before their exams subsequently gain more confidence. We recognise that approaching examinations with confidence and assuredness can often be a decisive factor in overall outcomes.

When a comprehensive revision period is undertaken on a topic, pupils become much more able to face questions in the examination and answer them in a way that will enable them to achieve the best results.

This revision course is excellent value for money at £150 for a full working day of lessons, revision and exam guidance tuition, with breaks for snacks and meals that are included in the cost. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for any GCSE pupil sitting exams this year and for parents, the assurance that you have done something constructive to prepare your child for their exams can also ease a considerable burden. n

To book a place on the GCSE Revision Week, or for further information, please email admissions@ rydalpenrhos.com or call 01492 530155