Saturday Classes 2023-24

Saturday Classes – Structure of the Day

The academic year consists of 27 Saturdays in total. The first two weeks of the Diagnostic and Alignment sessions are followed by three terms, with each term consisting of eight Saturdays. Classes are held on Saturdays during term time and also during some half terms. It is not every Saturday of the academic year but a selected list of 27 Saturdays, as there are breaks. Please see term dates below.

GCSE & KS3 students

Each Saturday, GCSE or KS3 students spend 45 minutes on each subject - Maths, English, Physics, Chemistry or Biology. Students who are taking two subjects spend 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours 15 minutes for those who are taking three subjects. Most GCSE students take four subjects and spend four hours studying on a Saturday - typically students take English, Maths and two Science subjects. A minority of students take all the three science subjects and also Maths and English as well. Generally we do not recommend this as it makes the day too long.

All Science options cover Physics, Chemistry and Biology, irrespective of the Science Award – Combined Science (double) or Triple Science. KS3 and GCSE classes are usually held between 9.00am and 3.00pm.

A-level – AS & A2 students

AS and A2 students spend 2 hours per subject each Saturday and a student can do up to 4 subjects on a Saturday. Classes start at 9.00am and some classes are scheduled for the afternoon and do not finish until about 6.30pm. There are a maximum of 6 students per class and tuition is focused on each individual student in accordance with their exam board. A programme is established for the student after the initial Diagnostic and Alignment sessions.

Intensive Revision Courses

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Saturday Classes

Dates for 2023-24 Academic year – St James, Olympia centre

2023-24 Academic year - Olympia dates

30-Sept 2023

07-Oct 2023
14-Oct 2023
INSET & Open Day - Olympia Diagnostic Tests Diagnostic Interview - Olympia
Term 1 – Autumn 2023
 28-Oct 04 Nov 11-Nov 18-Nov 25-Nov 02-Dec 09-Dec 16-Dec
 Half Term 1st  Saturday 2nd Saturday 3rd Saturday 4th Saturday 5th Saturday 6th Saturday 7th Saturday 8th Saturday
Term 2 – Spring 2024
13-Jan 20-Jan 27-Jan 03-Feb 10-Feb 17-Feb 24-Feb 02-Mar 09-Mar
1st Saturday 2nd Saturday 3rd Saturday 4th Saturday 5th Saturday Half Term                (no classes) 6th Saturday 7th Saturday 8th Saturday
Term 3 – Summer 2024
16-Mar 23-Mar 30-Mar 06-Apr 13-Apr 20-Apr 27-Apr 04-May 11-May 18-May
1st Saturday 2nd Saturday No classes No classes 3rd Saturday 4th Saturday 5th Saturday 6th Saturday 7th Saturday 8th Saturday

Our GCSE courses and students

We offer all the core academic subjects of Maths, English and the Sciences at GCSE or IGCSE level; however, Maths is the most popular. Our GCSE Maths tuition and GCSE Maths revision classes provide the boost that young people need to improve their confidence and raise their Maths exam grade at GCSE level. Over the years, we have helped many students to achieve a significant improvement in their GCSE Maths exam grades.

Maths is an essential subject at all levels. Maths is also a key element and a core subject at GCSE. Those who wish to study Maths at A level may be unaware that there is an enormous leap between GCSE and AS Level Maths. However, that is exactly what Excel in Key Subjects is here for – to cushion that jump.
We are here to help. We know Maths is a tricky subject for many, and often that extra bit of tuition is just what a student needs to gain that much needed confidence and skill. Our students are upheld and guided by our teachers every step of the way, leaving no room for confusion or underperformance

Although most of our students are taking the Pearson Edexcel Maths, we cater to all GCSE Maths options and exam boards.

We employ only dedicated, highly professional, fully qualified teachers who are willing to infuse enthusiasm into the subject.

Class sizes are very small and therefore closely tailored to individuals’ needs.

We provide value for money – we generate results and our prices are competitive and affordable.

Intensive revision classes run during school holidays and half terms – knowledge is fully reinforced and exam techniques are thoroughly taught. We believe repetition is key.

Grade Guarantee – our promise to you for the Saturday School. Predicted grades are matched, or we will send you a refund. This is subject to terms and conditions, which includes studying for one full academic year at GCSE level and two full academic years at A-level. Please see our terms and conditions for details. As leading providers of revision classes and tuition in London, we would be delighted to answer your questions.

How Our Students Shape Up! – including Analysis of Maths

Most of the students who study Maths at our Saturday School are working at around a B grade (Grade 6) and would like to improve to an A or A* (Grade 8 or 9). However, there is a minority who are borderline D and E (Grade 4 and 5) grades who are striving to obtain the critical C grade. (Grade 5). Our courses are not suitable for young people who may not possess the ability to achieve above Grade C. The backgrounds of our students vary widely; ranging from students who attend Independent Schools (private) to students who attend Grammar and Comprehensive Schools (academies). What is common among these teenagers is that they are from families where education is highly valued, and these young people appreciate the need to get the most out of the time they spend at the Saturday School, and also the investment their parents are making.

We have been operating since 2004 and over that period we have achieved success with three groups of students:

1. Coasters!

We have learnt that Low Expectations - mainly from the subject teacher at school, is the main reason for underachievement in teenagers. There are students who are bright but are not performing at their full potential, as they are often not challenged enough in school. There is sometimes a lack of motivation on the part of the student or inadequate teaching at school. Typically, they are in the higher sets in school but these students are working at a B grade with the possibility of slipping to a C or lower. We have worked with many such students to achieve A and A* grades using traditional but inspirational teaching methods delivered by teachers who love their subjects. This is the group in which most of our students fall.

2. Middle of The Road

In school, this set of students are either in Set 2 or 3, and struggling to stay there, and there is a distinct possibility of being moved to a lower set, where the maximum grade they can achieve is a C (Grade 5). Some of them are actually in the lower set, working at D/C borderline. There is also a possibility of being moved to the higher set in school, thereby giving them the opportunity to achieve a grade that is better than a C. This is where we come in.

We have assisted those who are in this category to consolidate their position in that set, and in most cases move up a set or two. After helping those who are in the lower set to improve their performance, we sometimes become involved in liaising with the student’s school to recommend raising their tier of entry for GCSE.

3. Students who do Not Find Maths Second Nature/Non-Mathematicians or Low academic achievers

Not everyone has mathematical talent. Some students try their best but lack the instinct to tackle mathematical problems. There is a very tiny minority of students for whom bad performance is due to their school/teacher or home experience. These students are in the lower set and the best grade they are likely to achieve at GCSE is a C grade and there is no certainty that they’ll achieve even that.

By simplifying and removing the fear of Maths, we have helped this set of students to make the C grade a reality. We do not have many students in this category.

 

Please note that although we have used GCSE Maths for this analysis; we provide all the Core Academic Subjects at GCSE and A-level. We cover Maths, English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology (including Triple and Combined Science) at GCSE and A-level. In addition, we also cover History, Economics and Psychology at A-level.


Fees

A-level fees

GCSE & KS3 fees

Methods for making payments

  • Bank Transfer - transfer the money directly into our account. Or if using telephone banking ask your bank to transfer it. Please see our account details below. Please use the student’s full name as a reference.
  • Credit Card payment: you can telephone us to make payment by credit or debit card. Alternatively, you may request an invoice by e-mail and then use either a credit or a debit card to make payment online via Google Checkout.
  • Go into your own bank and ask them to transfer the money into our account or visit any branch of Barclays Bank and pay the money directly into our account – see our account details below.
  • Standing order:
    Sort code: 30-98-97 – 30-98-97Account number: 4640 9963 – 4640 9963Name of account: Excel iLearn Ltd

Bank: Lloyds Bank


For more information and to see how our classes can transform your son’s or daughter’s performance in school and their examination results.

http://excelinkeysubjects.com/testimonials/

We hold regular open days but in addition to this we also have an open door policy whereby parents can visit on a Saturday. Parents and students have the opportunity to attend with their family and to meet the teachers who will be happy to discuss any questions or issues.