Education
Is technology the problem, or the user of it and how they use it?
Like any good thing in life, it is not usually the technology itself but how people choose to use it. I have about 5 smart phone and tablets – iPhones, iPad and Samsung for my personal use and I use about three to four of them every day. Does it mean that I spend a…
Read MoreIs A-level Maths worth its weight in gold?
This is the conclusion of a four-part blog post in which I discuss issues associated with the decline in the uptake of A-level Maths by young people. In this final part, I will be continuing my argument as to why young people should not give up on Maths too easily and that we must do…
Read MoreThe decoupling of AS from the full A-level means that it no longer counts towards A-level
In my last blog post, the first of a four-series discussion about the changes that are happening to both GCSE and A-level Maths, I explained the key changes to GCSE Maths and why young people and teachers are concerned. Today, I will first of all look at the changes that have been implemented in the…
Read MoreFewer young people taking A-level Maths – a tragedy or a blessing?
It was recently reported in the TES (Times Educational Supplements), among other media, that there has been a significant reduction in the number of young people taking A-level Maths. The TES report showed a table comparing the number of students applying to take A-level Maths in September 2016 to those who are applying to study…
Read MoreFocus on getting the grade best A-level grades you can
With places at the very top universities becoming more and more difficult to get, the pressure on young people to achieve high grades continues. At this critical stage of the exam preparation, it’s important for the young person to focus on what they need to do in order to secure as high a grade as…
Read MoreYet more confusion about the new GCSE Grade 9 to 1
There is yet more confusion about the new GCSE grade 9 to 1, with the government saying that there will be a different yardstick to measure the success of a school from that used to measure the success of a particular student, based on the new grading system that takes effect this summer. From this…
Read MoreThree Key Components for Exam Success
Achieving highly academically isn’t necessarily about being super bright, as many wrongly assume. I’ve had the advantage of teaching Physics to many bright young people in grammar schools and independent schools over the last couple of decades and I’ve seen young people of average ability, or just above, achieving high examination grades. At the same…
Read MoreThe Christmas break – getting more out of the Festive period
The school Christmas holiday period is a critical time for parents and their children – particular teenagers who are at a key stage of their education. Teenagers may not be as excited about Christmas as they were when they were younger children, but, nevertheless, there are still plenty of emotions flying around. Whilst it is…
Read MoreEBacc will be more challenging – higher goal post for measuring success at GCSE
The goal post for measuring success at GCSE moved – the EBacc will be more challenging I saw an article about the new yardstick for measuring success at GCSE level. The article was a little alarming as it highlights that the government has raised the barrier for measuring success for 16 year olds. It…
Read MoreRelax, Reflect and Renew – that’s what teenagers do in the summer!
Relax, Reflect and Renew – that’s what teenagers do in the summer! Thinking about it, I don’t know which arouses the highest level of excitement: the anticipation of the summer break or the actual experience! Every year – after all the highs and lows of Christmas, as soon as all the credit card bills have…
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