How to get a head start in September

Are you wondering how to get a head start in September for your child?

Starting the new academic year can be stressful. Especially for students going into Year 10 and 11, about to start their GCSE preparation and exams. It can be daunting not knowing what to expect.

Beginning GCSE preparation as early as possible is essential for receiving good grades. Here are some useful tips for succeeding in exams.

Attend additional tuition

After-school tuition at StudyBox provides one-to-one support and customised lessons to each child. Therefore, our  tutors are able to evaluate and focus on which areas that the student finds difficult. The sooner the student starts revision, the better they are able to grasp the topic. StudyBox offers GCSE, SATs and 11+ tuition.

Short, regular study intervals

A study by Dr. Dave Haylock shows that regular revision in short intervals is the most effective way to revise. ‘Revise little but often,’ Haylock suggests, which will also reduce stress. This effect is known as “spacing,” which allows the material to be remembered again once revisited.

Start revision early

Dr. Cecile Brich says it is vital to ‘start your revision early.’ Keep up with the workload and make notes as you go. Remember to write clear notes in class and build on these notes using revision guides. ‘This is not something you can do well by cramming the night before. Working regularly and keeping notes up to date makes revision much more effective and much less stressful,’ Dr. Brich advises.

Set a timetable

A revision timetable is an effective way to keep organised and on top of revision. Dedicate a few hours per day for each subject and stick to it.

Find a method that suits you

Everyone learns differently. If you are unsure how to revise, test these different methods until you find what works best for you:

• Mind map: Write the subject in the middle, then the topic coming off the first branch. Branching off from this, write keywords and bullet points to trigger the material.
• Colour coding: Write the topic as the heading and subtopics underneath. Bullet point the material in short sentences. Use different colour pens or highlighters and colour code each topic.
• Flashcards: Write each topic on a flash card. Bullet point the information underneath each topic. Read the cards throughout the day and take them with you wherever you go.
• Reciting: Ask a relative or friend to test you on the material, having you repeat the information back to them.

Break down each subject

The GCSE syllabus consists of multiple subjects, each containing in-depth material to revise. In order to make the workload bearable, it is recommended to break each subject down into topics. This way, the workload seems less daunting and each topic can be ticked off a list once completed. It is also easy to return later to the topics that are more challenging.

If you want to get a head start in September, sign up for StudyBox today! Book your free trial here. Alternatively, call one of our centres in Croydon, Sutton or Wallington on: 02086428884

GCSE Results Day 2019

GCSE results day this year falls on Thursday 22^ndAugust 2019.

This week, students across the country awake with anticipation to find out what grades they have received in their GCSE exams.

Students can collect results from their school on the morning, usually from 10am. Results can also be received via email from 8am, if requested from the school.

What is the importance of GCSEs?

GCSE results signify the end of secondary education and determine the next step. Whether it’s continuing higher education and starting A Levels, doing an apprenticeship, or going into full-time work, there are plenty of options.

What happens when my child receives their GCSE results?

On GCSE results day 2019, students will find out whether they’ve received their predicted grades and have been accepted into their 6^th form or college of choice, should they wish to continue into higher education. They will also find out whether they are accepted onto their chosen A Level subjects.

Back-up options are also selected when applying for 6^th form or college. This is in case a student doesn’t receive the predicted grades to get accepted into their first choice.

New GCSE Grading System

This is the second year that the numerical grading system has been implemented. Grades rank from 1-9, (where 1 is the lowest and 9 highest), in order to differentiate amongst the brightest students. Read more about it here.

What if my child doesn’t receive their predicted grades?

If a student doesn’t achieve their predicted grades, there is no need to panic – there are plenty of other options available. Contacting the 6^thform or college and finding out about other options is advised. Sometimes, the institute will accept lower grades, or offer an alternative subject to study. Another option is requesting a paper remark from the exam board, at a charge. This comes with a risk of the grade being marked lower than the original received grade, however. If a student thinks they have been marked incorrectly, they can appeal an exam result. This can be done by asking the school to get the result looked at again, or requesting it from the board themselves.

Alternatively, exam resits take place in November 2019. Asking the school for information about exam resits is the best way of finding out the details. StudyBox offers tuition for GCSE resits in November, simply call one of the centres in Croydon, Sutton or Wallington to enquire.

If none of the above options are possible, it could be worth changing a career plan and exploring something new, like doing an apprenticeship or considering BTEC qualifications.

Good luck to everyone on GCSE Results Day 2019! But if the results were different to what was expected, don’t panic. There are always plenty of other options to consider.

Call StudyBox today on 02086428884 or sign up online for a free trial!

International Youth Day 2019

International Youth Day 2019 brings to attention the 1.8 million young people in the world. This is the largest youth population there has ever been, making a sixth of the human population.

From this figure, 1 in 10 of the world’s children live in conflict zones. 24 million are out of school. As a result of this, there is an increasing isolation of youth in societies, due to conflict and political instability. It is easy to forget that education is a privilege which not everyone has access to.

The 2019 theme of International Youth Day is ‘Transforming Education.’ At StudyBox, we believe that education is imperative for paving a better future. This is why we support, motivate and challenge our students to help them get where they want to be.

This year’s Transforming Education theme highlights efforts to make education more inclusive for all, including efforts from youths themselves.

Education is necessary for diminishing poverty, achieving gender equality and improving job prospects. As a result, the government, youth and youth-led organisations  are working together. They aim to transform education into a fundamental tool for all.

Currently, “only 10% of people have completed secondary school education in low income countries.” Moreover, “40% of the global population are not taught in a language they speak or fully understand.” (United Nations)

Quality education plays a crucial role in youth development, which is why constant learning from a young age is important for shaping and growing the individual. StudyBox offers maths, English and science tuition, as well as a coding course. Our courses include the 11+, GCSEs, SATs, mocks, which is all important for paving the path to the next step in life, be it secondary school or GCSEs.

Book your free trail here, or call us on 02086428884 today!

National Playday 2019

The 7th August is National Playday 2019! This special day highlights the importance of play in children’s lives.

On this day, children are particularly encouraged to participate in local community events, which are created specifically for National Playday. Alternatively, children can have fun with their own activities at home, or visit a local park.

The 2019 Playday theme is ‘play builds children.’ Children learn and grow through play, so it is important for them to have fun and develop in this way.

At StudyBox we offer a Kids Coding Lab course, where children can program and play with robots. We also run maths and English tuition sessions, so children can keep their minds active as well, this summer. We are open throughout the summer from the 22^ndJuly – 31^stAugust, from 10am until 2pm. Why not book a free trial this week at our Croydon centre, Kidspace, and enjoy one hour of free play to celebrate Playday!

To commemorate Playday, there are loads of exciting activities this week for children to participate in:

Playday events across London:

• Coram Fields Playday, 7^thAugust 2019, 13.00-16.00pm

93 Guilford St, London WC1N 1DN

Fun, free activities for all, including face painting, bouncy castle, inflatable slide, arts & crafts, slime making, music and much more!

• Islington Playday, 7^thAugust 2019 12.00-16.00

Paradise Park, Mackenzie Road N7 8SE

Free event to celebrate Children’s Right to Play. Get creative with the cardboard city, enjoy hanging about in the nets among the trees, have a go at using tools, build a den, make slime or giant bubbles and much more.

• Art4Space Workshops, 7^thAugust 2019. 10.00-12.00, 14.00-16.00

Studio 1, 31 Jeffreys Road, SW4 6QU

Get creative with jewellery, jewels and fabric at this free workshop promoting wellbeing and connection. For 5-18 year olds (under 8s must come with an adult).

If you enjoy this workshop on Playday, there are other free workshops:

Wednesday 14^thAugust: Earthly Matters & Clay Play.

Wednesday 24^thAugust: Mindful Mosaic & Fab Printing.

Drop in, no booking required.

• Redbridge National Playday 7^thAugust 2019. 10.00-13.00

Hainault Youth Centre, 116 Huntsman Road, Ilford, IG6 3SY

Make your own smoothies, multi-sports for all ages, children’s yoga, face painting. *Free event.

• Barking & Dagenham National Playday 7^thAugust 2019. 11.00-15.30

Valence Park, Becontree, Dagenham, RM8 3EU

Free event for all families. Face painting, inflatables, messy play, crazy golf, and much more.

For more information on Playday events happening in London: http://www.playday.org.uk/region/london/

Activities in the Sutton Borough:

• Summer Camp Modern Musical Week, 5^th-9^th 8.30-18.00

Sellincourt Primary School, Tooting, SW17 9SA

Singing, dancing and acting. Adaptations of some of the greatest musicals of our time.

£30 a day.

Book here: https://hoop.co.uk/blue-performing-arts/PsJI6Q-summer-camp-modern-musical-week/

• Summer Tennis Camp, 5^th-9^th 9.00-9.45

Wimbledon Park Tennis Courts, SW19 7HR

Fun tennis camp for children.

£12 a day.

Book here: https://hoop.co.uk/teddy-tennis/DZ1VMV-summer-tennis-camp/

• Mad Science Super Summer, 5^th-9^th 9.00-16.30

Joseph Hood Primary School, London, SW20 9NS

Science camps sparking imaginative learning through physical, brain-stimulating activities.

£44 a day.

Book here: https://hoop.co.uk/madscienceeast/VxIpYl-mad-science-super-summer/

• Stagecoach Summer Workshop, 5^th-9^thAugust. 9.00-12.30

The Langdon Down Centre, Teddington, TW11 9PS

Fun and creative drama, singing and dance workshops for everyone – no experience necessary. Children will create a performance for friends and family.

£135 for a 5-day workshop.

Book here: https://hoop.co.uk/stagecoach-twickenham/VI7rKf-stagecoach-summer-workshops-the-big-top/

• FUN Soccer School Holiday Camps, 5^th-9^th 9.00-12.00

Wandle Recreation Centre, London, SW18 4DN

Learn while having fun. Football training session, as well as fun filled day of football activities.

£15 – £20 for 1 day. £55 for a 5-day workshop.

Book here: https://hoop.co.uk/funsoccerschool/NUEHfD-fun-soccer-school-holiday-camps-summer-holiday-camp/

Jewellery Design & Wearable Workshop, 7^thAugust. 10.00-11.30

Kite Studios, London, W12 9RY

Unleash your inner fashion designer with headpieces, belts and bags inspired by nature.

£15 for the day.

Book here: https://hoop.co.uk/kite-studios/XgYcrq-jewellery-design-wearable-work/

 

Celebrate Playday by booking a free trial with StudyBox today! Book here.

Alternatively, call 0208 669 4343 to book.