Matthew Godfrey, Deputy Head of Downe House School in Berkshire, offers some sage advice and revision tips to help pupils who are taking GCSE and A-level exams this summer
The deputy head has been helping pupils through public exams for over 20 years and believes revision is a team effort. Mr Godfrey is a big believer in revision being a team effort, he explained, ?Revision is a team effort between parent and child, because it can be an isolating experience and teenagers benefit hugely when their parents are invested in the preparations. As a parent, it can be frustrating if your teen stays in bed at the weekend, or seems distracted rather than focused on their revision, but they will be far more productive if you keep expectations realistic.? It is likely that a stressed parent will only heighten their child?s anxiety, so Mr Godfrey suggests agreeing a start and end time for revision on any given day but be flexible with this and don?t worry if the plan goes awry. ?Pupils will have good days and bad, but it?s more important that the bad days don?t take over. Setting realistic goals that are appropriate for them, individually, is best. Some children work better when revision is broken down into two or three 30-minute tasks and some will focus better with longer revision sessions.?
Showing an interest in their work and efforts is important, according to Mr Godfrey, who?s own son and daughter are sitting their GCSE and A-level exams this year. ?When they complete revision tas...