Wondering how to help your child excel in their exams? Here are some useful exam tips on how to optimise revision time and how to keep stress to a minimum.

1) Core understanding is crucial

Revision is very important, but if your child struggled with a subject the first time around you are fighting a losing battle. Make sure your child has a firm grasp of the basics before they get going with revision exercises. If they are about to take an 11+ exam, for example, test them regularly on each topic. Repetition is key here, so try and factor in a few questions on percentages, fractions and shapes every day, even if it is just in the car on the way to school.

2) Practice makes perfect

Some exams are very formulaic. 11+ exams, for example, test the same skills every year. It is worth investing in a large wad of practice questions, therefore, and helping your child work through them. That way, they become familiar with the format of the test and know exactly what to expect. Innate ability is not everything, and there are plenty of books on sale to give your child the practice they need.

3) Draw up a revision timetable

Nobody wants to feel like they should be working all the time. It is very useful, therefore, to allocate specific times of the day for revision. Many children are most alert and productive in the morning. If it is school holiday time, therefore, put aside an hour or so before lunch for your child to practise their spelling, creative writing or arithmetic. Research has shown we work best in 30 to 40 minute bursts, so bear this in mind when you are designing a schedule. If your child is older, encourage them to make their own revision timetable and to factor in regular breaks. It will help them to manage their time and keep on top of their work.

This BBC Bitesize page is a fantastic resource for all things related to timetabling:

https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zn3497h

4) Make sure there’s time to relax

Yes, hard work always pays off. However, it is essential your child has some downtime where they can just relax and have fun. Whether they like seeing friends, baking or going to the cinema, encourage them to keep doing what they enjoy. Doing something completely different will help clear their head, ward off stress, and make the time they spend working more productive.

5) Sport can be beneficial

There’s lots of evidence that suggests physical activity can improve brain functioning. Fresh air is wonderful thing, and sport helps to reduce stress and improve sleep — the ancient saying ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ isn’t still famous for nothing. Plus, if your teenager is spending time exercising, it means they are spending time away from their phone and computer, which can only be a good thing.

6) Look into revision courses

Revision courses are proven to boost exam performance. Hampstead and Frognal Tutors run two day revision courses throughout the year in GCSE English, Maths and Science, along with 11+ English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. 13+ Revision Courses in Maths, Science and English are also available. Fun and focused, these revision courses impart both knowledge and confidence.

For more information, click here: https://hampsteadandfrognaltutors.org.uk/contact-us/

7) Don’t start revision too early

Feeling burnt out is a real risk for diligent students. If teenagers start revising too early for their GCSEs or A Levels, they are likely to peak too soon and not be at their best when exam season finally arrives.

Things are slightly different for younger students. If your child is due to sit the 11+ in the next year so, you might want to consider starting some gentle revision. For more advice on when to begin preparing, take a look at our 11+ blog post: “Can I Tutor My Own Child?”

8) Stress is contagious

Everyone wants their children to do well in school. However, children and teenagers easily sense when their parents are anxious, and often feel more stressed as a result. Sometimes you need to explain that exam results are not the most important thing in the world, and that you will be proud no matter what. Ironically, the soothing effect of these words often leads to children doing better in assessments as they approach them with less apprehension.

9) Mock exams work wonders

Regardless of how old they are, it is likely that your child will be nervous before an exam. It is sensible, therefore, to organise a mock exam before they sit the real thing. GCSE and A Level mocks teach students how to manage their time, how to keep calm under pressure and how to improve their exam technique. Younger children are often fazed by the formal nature of assessments, and a mock gives them time to adjust to the strange new set-up.

It helps if the mock takes place in an unfamiliar place and is invigilated by someone who does not know the child well. That way, the test feels more real. It is also worth noting that mark schemes can be hard to understand. If have hired a tutor, give them the answer paper to look at, as they will probably be able to mark it more accurately.

10) Consider hiring a tutor

If you have decided to employ a tutor — be it a GCSE Maths tutoror an A Level English tutor— you have probably made a good decision. One-to-one teaching is hugely powerful, particularly in the run up to exams. Whether your child needs help in a specific area, or general academic support, tutors can make a real difference.

For more information, take a look at this article which appeared in The Telegraph last year.

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Boarding schools versus day schools – which is better?

Considering whether to send your child to a boarding school or day school can feel like a momentous choice. Both types of school have their benefits and disadvantages, and it is important to consider where your child will thrive best. Equally, both sectors are incredibly varied; there are competitive, sporty day schools, liberal co-ed boarding schools and everything in between. It is certainly worth spending time researching and visiting a range of schools in both sectors. Make sure to discuss any options with your child, and give them input in the decision-making process; they are far more likely to flourish at a school of their choice.

Boarding – the key benefits:

Independence

Boarding schools foster a remarkable sense of personal responsibility and independence. Students learn to take the lead in both their lessons and wider activities; at Eton, for example, most extra-curricular activities are run by the students themselves. Westminster is known for encouraging a debate-style curriculum where students are free to challenge one another’s views. This cultivation of independence also extends to students’ lives in boarding houses; at Wycombe Abbey, girls in the sixth form move into Clarence House to experience ‘university-style’ living, so that the transition to college life is relatively seamless. Cheltenham Ladies’ College also operates separate boarding houses for the sixth form, giving the oldest students a greater degree of independence.

Social skills

Whilst children socialise at day schools too, the experience of living and working with your peers can be instrumental in forming life-long friendships, as well as helping students develop excellent communication skills. Many former boarders report how their friends from school are like siblings to them, and most schools recreate a familial structure through ‘mixed-age’ dormitories. Having such close bonds with peers gives students the self-confidence they need to adapt to new environments in later life.

Flexibility

Boarding offers families flexibility. For professional parents who travel frequently on business, a day-school routine would need to be supplemented by a host of other child-care arrangements. Boarding can therefore offer both children and parents greater consistency. Schools have also evolved considerably over the years to provide a range of boarding options to suit families; most schools now offer flexi or weekly boarding, where students spend part of the week or weekends at home. This can also be a good way to test whether full boarding would suit your child.

Free time

Day-school counterparts may spend their evenings in a whirlwind of activities, yet most boarders benefit from unstructured free time before dinner or at weekends. Unhampered by technology (mobile phones are usually banned) students are free to relax with friends in their boarding-house in the evenings. The use of supervised ‘prep’ time to complete homework allows students to concentrate fully on homework whilst not feeling unduly burdened by academic pressure.

Boarding – the disadvantages:

It is not for everyone

Whilst many students flourish at boarding-school, it does not always suit every child. It would be unwise to withdraw a child at the first sign of homesickness, yet not every young person is ready to live away from their parents. Think carefully about how your child would adapt, and investigate the pastoral support offered by the school. Most schools do have a range of excellent support, from operating a ‘buddy’ system for newcomers to the pastoral care offered by house masters and mistresses. Nonetheless, if your child seems anxious about the prospect of boarding, it could be unwise to pressure them into a change of school. Studies suggest students adapt to boarding much more readily if they themselves have chosen to board.

Day Schools – the benefits:

Closer supervision

One of the most important benefits of day schooling is that it enables you to keep in much closer contact with your child. Spending time together each day as a family arguably creates stronger bonds between you, as well as giving you greater input as a parent. You have a detailed understanding of your child’s well-being, their current friendships and latest passions, as well as being aware of any worries or concerns they might have (academic or otherwise).

Academic Excellence

There are clearly some very academically successful boarding schools, yet day schools seem to have the edge; of the 50 top secondary independent schools in The Times’ 2018 League Table, just 15 are boarding schools. In terms of why this might be the case, day schools can perhaps be more selective owing to the level of competition for places, especially within London. Nonetheless, using an 11+ tutor can help your child in navigating the admissions tests, giving them access to some of the best educational provision in the country. The results at many top London day schools speak for themselves; at Highgate School this year, 68% of all A Level candidates achieved 1 A* or more; at St Paul’s Girls’ School, a staggering 92% of all GCSE grades were an A*. Even for academically selective schools, these results are highly impressive.

Co-ed schooling

Whilst mixed boarding schools exist, co-ed schooling is far more prevalent in day schools. Many parents now actively seek mixed schooling for their children, as single-sex education is viewed as somewhat old-fashioned. Given that young men and women will need to work together at university and in later life, single-sex boarding schools can seem rather outdated.

Wider cultural experiences

In London day schools, students can take advantage of the plethora of wider cultural experiences on their doorstep. City of London School is notably only a few minutes’ walk away from the Tate Modern, whilst University College School students can enjoy theatre and cultural events in both Hampstead and central London. This is not to suggest that boarding schools do not offer a wide range of extra-curricular trips and experiences, yet students in central London are uniquely well-placed to attend seminars, films and exhibitions on a diverse range of topics.

Disadvantages:

Lack of flexibility

Day schooling may not be the best option for families with demanding schedules; although most offer after-school clubs and activities, working parents will still need to arrange childcare and other supervision for their children. Many families therefore decide that children will feel more settled in a boarding environment with their peers; this is especially true for parents who may need to spend extended periods of time overseas.

So, which is best?

Overall, there is no definitive answer on which type of school may be best for your child. There is considerable diversity within each sector, so that it is difficult to generalise about either type of school. The best day and boarding schools will offer excellent provision in all areas, so that students benefit from outstanding teaching, first-class extra-curricular activities and brilliant facilities.

Before coming to a decision, visit a range of schools and consider which type of school will suit your child’s needs, as well as the needs of the family. Think about your child’s individual characteristics and how the school may support their interests and abilities. Nonetheless, ultimately, once your child is settled at a highly regarded school, whether day or boarding, they are likely to flourish and enjoy the wealth of opportunities on offer. Most schools are also increasingly flexible, with some day schools offering a limited amount of boarding places in sixth form (St Paul’s School, for instance, while predominantly a day school, has thirty-five places for boarders, with flexi and weekly boarding offered to suit individual families). Equally, most boarding schools also now offer a number of arrangements to allow each child to adapt to boarding at their own pace.

How to apply

Once you have investigated which school is the best option for your family, it may be advisable to employ an English tutor or Maths tutor to assist in preparing your child for the 11+ or 13+ Common Entrance exam. Entrance requirements for the most prestigious schools are highly competitive, so ensure your child is prepared through practising past papers with an 11+ or 13+ tutor. Besides Maths and English others subjects will be assessed in 13+ Common Entrance Tests and 13+ Scholarships. A tutor may also be able to help your child prepare for interview questions, an important part of the overall application process.

Whilst choosing the right school for your child can feel daunting, there is outstanding provision available in both sectors. If you research the options carefully and attend open days with your child, you will almost certainly find a school that is right for them, where they can flourish academically and socially.

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‘By good fortune I have lighted well

On this young man, for learning and behaviour

Fit for her turn, well read in poetry

And other books—good ones, I warrant you.’

The Taming of the Shrew – 1.2.113-117

William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew is not a glowing endorsement of the tutoring industry. While the tutor in question — one Lucentio — may be ‘well read in poetry and other books’, he is also heavily disguised and intent on marrying his new student Bianca.

But don’t let this put you off! Back in the real world, Lucentio is an example of why you should hire a tutor ‘well read in poetry’. With their literary knowledge, English tutors can introduce students to fantastic creations such as the rogue Shakespearean tutor, and open their eyes to the joys of fiction.

If you are still not convinced, however, here are ten other positive outcomes from hiring an English tutor for your child.

Confidence and academic growth 

If you think that your child is falling behind in class or is struggling with reading and writing, an English tutor could be enormously beneficial. In a one-to-one situation, children often feel more relaxed. They can go at their own pace, ask questions and identify what they are finding difficult. At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, 100% of parents agreed that the tutors helped improve GCSE and A-level academic performance.

First choice schools

An 11+ tutor can boost the chances of your child getting into the most competitive London schools. By focusing on verbal reasoning, comprehension tests and essay writing skills, an English tutor can powerfully enhance a child’s exam performance. At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, 100% of students who received continuous weekly tuition over two terms or more gained a place at their first or second choice school.

Great exam results

Whether your child is writing his GCSE English Literature coursework or sitting her A Level English Language paper, an English tutor could help them to unlock their potential. Students often struggle with essay planning and time management, and one-to-one tutoring sessions equip them with the exam technique that they need to succeed. Tutors also familiarise pupils with what to expect in upcoming exams by going through past papers and mark schemes.

Oxbridge offers

Close reading is an important part of Oxford and Cambridge interviews and students are often unsure how to approach it. Being presented with an unseen poem or passage is always daunting. However, an English tutor can alert students to the fine-grained nuances of language, form and structure, helping them to shine in Oxbridge interviews. They can also carry out mock interviews and help with personal statements.

Fluency

If English is not your child’s first language, school can be tough. Not only English, but history, geography and science depend upon a confident grasp of the language. An English tutor could help your child get up to speed and to flourish in the classroom.

Enthusiasm

Some children are not naturally enthusiastic readers. For one reason or another, reading is a chore as opposed to a pleasure. However, this is often because they are yet to find stories that capture their imagination. Unlike school teachers, private tutors are able to dedicate their full attention to individual students. They can find out what they like — as well as what they don’t — and direct their reading accordingly.

Getting to grips with certain texts

As students reach their GCSEs and A Levels, they often come across particularly knotty texts and authors. For some it’s Shakespeare plays. For others — many others — it’s Chaucer. I know from bitter experience that it takes a while to love the Wife of Bath as she swaggers across the pages of The Canterbury Tales. What is more, it is easy to drain the joy out of literary creations. Once you have listened to twenty five schoolgirls stutter their way through Act V of King Lear, it is hard to feel too affectionate towards the mighty Bard. A good English tutor can revive these texts, however. They can show students that beneath the strange language and the confusing word order there is humour, emotion and vitality.

Targeted help

English tutors can be very helpful if your child has dyslexia or another condition that causes problems with reading, writing and spelling. With private mentoring you can be sure that your child is receiving the attention and the help they need to overcome any difficulties that they face. In a one-to-one situation, tutors are also more likely to spot and flag up signs on an underlying problem.

Academic fulfilment

It is sometimes the case that students do not feel challenged at school. Large class sizes or a lack of resources can result in talented pupils slipping under the radar. Private tuition can rectify this, allowing children to fulfil their academic potential. Reading lists and new essay titles, along with lively conversation and debate can stretch a student’s minds and propel them towards further study.

A long term love of literature

Whether your child is sitting the 11+ or an A Level English exam, a good English tutor can transform their attitude to the subject. At its best, a tutor’s knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm can spark a life long love of literature.

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