University
Will the new GCSE of grades 9 to 1 lead to new Elitism?
An article in the TES (The Times Educational Supplements – a magazine widely read by teachers) recently carried the headline “Why GCSE Reform may lead to a new ‘elitism’. The article raised concern felt in some quarters about the newly introduced numerical grading of 9-1 by OFQUAL (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation –…
Read MoreLearning Light Bulb – Revision Advice for Parents: How to Support your Teenager’s Revision
With GCSE and A-Level exams approaching successful revision techniques become even more paramount. Huge proportions of students have not been taught how to revise effectively and are unaware of the strategies that will help them to succeed. Action points that will support your teenager include the following: Establishing your Teenager’s Learning Style Learning styles are…
Read MoreThe culture of low expectation in schools; are teachers too tolerant of bad behaviour?
The standard of behaviour by young people is so bad such that what is acceptable as the norm is well below the level that will create an environment conducive to learning. Some may want to argue that: how come the examinations results are getting better and more people are achieving A and double A* –…
Read MoreNo more A-level exams in January – should young people relax?
Up until the previous academic year, A-level (AS and A2) exams were taken in January as well as in May and June. The government has now abolished the January exams as they regard it as one of the causes of grade inflation. Another reason is that many see the idea of a student being allowed…
Read MoreThe scramble for university places to avoid high fees – Do the figures add up?
It is that time of the year when newspapers and TV stations carry pictures of teenagers celebrating after the summer examination results have been released. With a record number of young people achieving the top grades of A and A* at the both GCSE and A level, it would be wrong to think that this…
Read MoreAre private schools really 400 times more successful than comprehensives?
It was reported on Radio 4 this morning that a study by the Sutton Trust shows that the top five schools in the country, four of whom are fee-paying, send more students to Oxbridge than two thirds of all comprehensive schools. Quoting the Mail Online “Top five schools that fill Oxford and Cambridge: They take…
Read MoreA Levels and University Entrance Part 1
Continuing on from the earlier interviews with Esma Akkilic, Mr. Musty and Esma sat down to speak about A Levels and University Entrance. Esma has studied with Excel in Key Subjects and she has been offered a place at the London School of Economics to study Politics. This follows her spectacular success at both GCSE…
Read MoreWhat is the EBacc?
20% of school leavers in London can’t read confidently – Is EBacc the answer? The Evening Standard has focused recently on illiteracy in London. I’ve always thought that the situation is very bad, what I did not expect are the actual figures published in the Evening Standard of 3rd June 2011. Statistics such as: 20%…
Read MoreGCSE Science Options
In this video, Excel in Key Subjects Principal, Mr. Idris Musty explains the various GCSE Science options available to students. The main explanation covers the difference between Core Science, Additional Science and the more traditional Triple Science. It is also worth bearing in mind that the GCSE science options chosen can have an impact on…
Read MoreOxford Admission: all White, all Brown and all the Hullabaloo!
A recent comment from the prime minister, regarding the ethnic balance of new undergraduates admitted to Oxford University, appeared in the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday 12th April under the heading: “Cameron brands all-white’ Oxford a disgrace . It has to be said that there is not a huge difference between the proportion of working class…
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