Revision timetables
There is no set amount of time that your son or daughter should be revising because every child learns and retains information at different rates. Research shows that revision is better little and often so remember to encourage a focus on the quality instead the quantity of revision.
The timetable below is an example of what a student's week of revision could look like. It models the following principles:
1. Mix up high and low energy tasks and leave space in the week for time off!
For example in the example below Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at home are all fairly light. Saturday is a day off. Mornings in this plan are typically spent on low energy tasks such as Tassomai and reading.
2. Spaced revision is most effective
There should be gaps between study in each discipline. It is far better to do maths for 3 lots of 30 minutes in a week, than 2 hours in one go.
3. Revision should be interleaved
Students should be used to swapping their mode of thinking.
They should change from one discipline to another, for example doing some Maths and then some English in the same evening. They should also change their way of working from revision session to revision session, for example spending time on flash cards for 30 minutes, followed by some practice exam questions for the next 30 minute session.
This will increase their flexibility of thought and aids with retention too.
4. Some tasks need to be part of a daily routine.
Reading should be part of a student's daily habits. It is the number one thing that they can do to get smart, not just for exams but for life.
Since the Science course is worth 2 GCSEs (or 3 for triple science), it is vital that students access Tassomai daily so that they memorise the large volume of content needed to be successful.
5. Make use of the support available in school
Personalised support sessions after school are part of your son or daughter's revision, but even if they do not have a personalised session, they can still use the library during extended study where staff are on hand to lend support.
Helping your son or daughter to follow their plan
Whilst students should aim to stick to their revision timetable, things happen! Agree a balance between social/leisure activities and revision with your son or daughter. Apply the 80 / 20 rule and you won't go far wrong. That is, if your son or daughter is following their plan 80% of the time, they will be doing alright.
Incentives
Some children are offered cash or prize incentives to do well in exams and are offered cash/gifts to stick to revision timetables or to achieve good grades. However this is not a good idea as it prioritises extrinsic reward for hard work such as money, rather than the intrinsic pride of achievement.
Encourage your son or daughter to do well for their own sake rather than for rewards or to please you. Exams aren't an end in themselves but are just a part of your son or daughter's mission and a gateway to the next stage of their education.
Make sure that your son or daughter knows that you are interested in their work and that you will be proud of them if they work hard.
It is fine to provide small treats by way of encouragement - perhaps some biscuits, an activity or family/social time after a chunk of revision has been completed.
It is important that each student develops a timetable that is right for them. For example if they naturally rise early and work best in the mornings, it may be an idea for them to put some higher energy tasks there and leave the evening for the lower energy tasks.
Please speak to your son or daughter's crew leader if you need any more advice.
