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The Curriculum
In order for students to be truly confident and successful learners it is important that they are given the opportunity to build resilience in challenging situations and that they regularly revisit prior learning in order to secure knowledge.
All teaching staff follow a common narrative, designed to ensure that students experience the highest quality of teaching and learning in all lessons.
All lessons include a 15-minute silent working session, in order to ensure that students have the confidence to try and solve problems for themselves, and to ensure that every lesson meets the needs of the many different ways in which we all learn.
The work of the Learning Scientists has also been key in driving forward our approach towards teaching and learning, in particular the approach that staff take to ensuring that students commit new learning to their long-term memory.
Our three-year cycle of continuing professional development for teaching staff forms and evidence-based action research approach, where we expect everyone to engage in the latest research regarding effective learning.
Students use thinking maps regularly throughout their lessons in order to provide them with useful tools and techniques for confidently organising their thoughts and ideas: 
We have high expectations regarding the quality of work in students’ exercise books and students respond to teacher feedback using a green pen so that they can quickly remind themselves of any gaps in their knowledge and what they have done to improve.
Regular focused home learning also helps students to secure learning from lessons.
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Retrieval Practice |
Retrieval Practice starts with a blank page.You try to retrieve everything you can from memory and only then do you go back to your notes or your revision guide to identify what you’ve missed. |
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The Learning Scientists say: |
You could try past paper question practice – find your exam papers here: |
You could use a Revision Clock template to retrieve 12 topics in 3 – 4-minute blocks like this:
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You could try making flashcards and using them like this: |
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Get yourself a ‘STUDY BUDDY’ and arrange a regular time to work together!This will:
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Dual Coding |
Dual Coding is using images and words together. You make use of two thought pathways in your brain – visual & linguistic – and this helps you to remember better. |
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The Learning Scientists say: |
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Here is the theory of dual coding: |
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How to draw a Mind Map: |
Advice from a student like you! |
Dual coding & Mind-mapping go together BUT…
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Spaced Practice |
Spaced Practice is deliberately spacing out your learning. You decide what you want to study and spread out reviewing it across a period of time. Spaced practice is the exact opposite of cramming! |
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The Learning Scientists say: |
Why Spaced Practice works and how to do it: |
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In one study students who spaced out their revision got an average mark of 74%, whereas those who crammed their revision got 49%! |
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1 hour a day for 8 days is better than 8 hours in 1 day! |
Adapt is free app that will help you to space out your revision – you enter the exam boards and courses and which days you would like to study! The app will space your retrieval out and interleave it with other subjects. |
It will encourage you to space your retrieval out! |
Sleep is ImportantResearch shows that a good night’s sleep allows you to create new memory associations more effectively. There is a strong relationship between quantity & quality of sleep and our ability to concentrate. |
Exercise Improves PerformanceStudents who went for a 12- minute walk reported feeling 20% better & more confident than those who did not! Those who took a walk in nature improved their performance in memory & attention tasks by 16%! |
Hydration Improves ConcentrationDehydration leads to concentration loss and slows your overall cognitive processing down. Even mild dehydration can cause lack of focus, reduced mental performance, dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, reduced cognitive abilities and tiredness. |
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Developing Good HabitsStudents who spent a few minutes visualising themselves studying were clearer about what they needed to do and felt less nervous. They did 40% more revision and got over 8% more marks than those who visualised themselves performing well! |
Mobile Phones Are AddictiveThe mere presence of a mobile phone leads to a 20% reduction in attention, concentration and performance in tasks that are demanding and complex. Put your phone OUT OF SIGHT or ask a parent / carer to LOOK After It for you! |
Reducing Stress & AnxietyUncertainty is a major cause of how stressed people feel – it is the ambiguity of not knowing that causes stress. Knowing what to expect and using all the strategies to be fully prepared for the exam season will reduce your cortisol levels – so be sure to find out all you can! |
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Students who revised in quiet environments performed over 60% better in an exam than those who revised listening to music that had lyrics. All types of music lead to a reduction in exam performance! |
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Make sure you know exactly when all your exams are and use your end goal as a motivator. |
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The free Pomodoro app allows you to choose a task, start a timer and work on the task, end the task and check it off when the timer rings, take a short break, and every 4 hours you get a longer break!
Knowing the end-point will help you to learn at a faster rate and achieve a higher performance.