The Year 11 students had the opportunity to work with Positively You, a company linked to the University of Hertfordshire, who run a programme called Exam Busters. The aims of the session were to stimulate and grow a positive attitude towards learning and exams, to reduce exam stress, to upskill students with effective memory techniques and to provide a comprehensive exam toolkit.

The workshop covered a range of topics aimed at supporting both academic success and overall well-being, including:

• Practical Stress Management Techniques: Helping students reduce exam anxiety and maintain focus during revision and exams.

• Memory and Revision Strategies: Techniques to improve memory recall and make revision more effective.

• Time Management and Organisation Skills: Supporting students to plan their study time effectively.

• Building a Positive Attitude: Encouraging a resilient and proactive mindset towards learning and exams.

The course was a highly interactive workshop that equipped students with a range of effective revision and exam preparation techniques, including reflective thinking and reviewing skills. Students also learnt stress management techniques to help reduce exam stress and ensure their focus is on their strong performance.

Students engaged in hands-on activities that demonstrated how small changes to their study habits can make a big difference in their performance. They left the session feeling more equipped to tackle the demands of GCSE preparation, with practical tips and a comprehensive exam preparation toolkit to take forward.

Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting how useful the stress-busting techniques and memory strategies were. One student commented: “The session helped me feel more confident about my exams and gave me new ways to revise that actually work!”

We would like to thank parents and carers for their continued support in encouraging full participation in this important workshop. Together, we are helping our Year 11 students approach their final exams with the skills, confidence, and mindset they need to succeed.