We ask six leading headteachers how GCSE and sixth form students can make the most of the long school holidays

Gary Wright

Gary Wright, Abbey College Birmingham, West Midlands
Learning is never confined to the classroom and the educational experience can continue in the holidays, with family visits to museums, art galleries and exhibitions. The summer is also an opportunity to brush up on a particular subject with a little extra tuition over the holidays, to give you the best possible start in the new academic year. Also, many independent schools or local authorities offer summer courses, offering a chance to play a sport or try something new. Any new opportunity outside of school is a possibility to widen the social circle and to increase your confidence.
Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson, CATS Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Do take a break, but not for the whole summer. If you?re finishing Year 11, start looking at what you will learn in Year 12. Buy the Head Start to A-Level books for your subjects. If you?re at the end of Year 12, keep working on your personal statement. Aim to get this to a finished state before you go back to school. It won?t be long until you send your UCAS application. Try to arrange work experience during the summer holiday, especially if you are going to apply for medical school in October, and write about what you realised as a result.

Peter Green

P...