A guide for parents to best support their children throughout GCSEs
As students enter Year 11, the final stretch before their GCSE exams, the pressure often begins to mount. This period can be both exciting and stressful, not just for students but for their parents as well. As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting your child through this challenging time, helping them to manage their workload, stay motivated, and achieve their best. In this blog, we’ll explore practical ways you can support your child throughout their GCSE journey, with a focus on creating a positive home environment, encouraging effective revision techniques, and providing emotional support.
Understanding the Importance of Parental Support
Research consistently shows that parental involvement in a child’s education has a significant positive impact on academic achievement. According to a report by the Department for Education, students with supportive parents are more likely to achieve higher grades and are less likely to disengage from school. The report highlights that parental support in areas like establishing routines, fostering good study habits, and providing emotional encouragement can greatly enhance a child’s academic outcomes.
Creating a Positive Home Environment
One of the most effective ways you can support your child is by creating a positive and productive home environment. Here’s how:
Designate a Study Space: Ensure your child has a quiet, well-lit area dedicated to studying. This helps them to focus and signals that revision is a priority.
Establish a Routine: Help your child develop a consistent revision routine that balances study with breaks, leisure activities, and adequate sleep. A structured timetable can reduce anxiety by making the workload feel more manageable.
Promote Healthy Habits: Encourage healthy eating, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep. These factors are crucial for maintaining energy levels, concentration, and overall well-being. The Sleep Council recommends that teenagers get 8-10 hours of sleep per night to function at their best during the day.
Encouraging Effective Revision Techniques
While it’s important to support your child’s revision, it’s equally vital to ensure that their study methods are effective. Encourage the use of proven techniques such as:
Spaced Repetition: Reviewing material over increasing intervals to help reinforce learning.
Active Recall: Testing themselves on what they’ve learned, rather than just passively reading notes.
Mind Mapping: Creating visual representations of key concepts to improve memory and understanding.
You can assist by helping them create revision materials, testing them on key concepts, or simply encouraging them to stick to their revision plan. We will provide blogs on how to do each revision method most effectively so please keep reading!
The Impact of Small Group Sessions
According to the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), small group tuition can be highly effective in boosting students’ academic performance. The EEF’s research indicates that small group sessions, particularly those led by a skilled teacher or tutor, can lead to an average of four months’ additional progress over an academic year (EEF, 2018).
Here’s why small group sessions can be so beneficial:
Personalized Attention: In smaller groups, students receive more tailored feedback and support, addressing specific areas of difficulty.
Increased Engagement: The interactive nature of small group sessions often leads to higher levels of engagement and motivation.
Peer Support: Working alongside peers in a small group can encourage students to share ideas and approaches, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
As a parent, you might consider enrolling your child in small group tutoring sessions, especially in subjects where they may be struggling. Alternatively, you can encourage them to form study groups with classmates, which can be equally beneficial.
Being a Source of Emotional Support
Year 11 can be an emotionally challenging time for students. Beyond academic support, it’s important to be there for your child emotionally. Here’s how:
Listen and Reassure: Encourage your child to talk about their worries and stresses. Listen actively and reassure them that it’s normal to feel anxious, but that with preparation, they will be able to handle the exams.
Avoid Adding Pressure: It’s important to set high expectations, but be careful not to add to the pressure. Celebrate effort and progress, rather than just focusing on results.
Be Positive: Keep a positive outlook, even when things get tough. Your attitude can have a big influence on your child’s mindset. Positive reinforcement and encouragement are key to helping students maintain motivation and resilience.
Supporting your child through their GCSEs, particularly in Year 11, involves a balance of practical help, emotional support, and encouragement. By creating a positive home environment, promoting effective study techniques, considering the benefits of small group sessions, and being a source of emotional support, you can help your child navigate this crucial year with confidence. Remember, your involvement can make a significant difference in their success, helping them to achieve their potential in these important exams.
Read the EEF report on small group tuition impact: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit/small-group-tuition
