Cardiff School: Year 10 Exams for Smoother GCSE Transition – This week, I visited a school in Cardiff that’s taking a unique approach to preparing its Year 10 students for their upcoming GCSEs. Personally I’m always intrigued by unique approaches to schools developing their students for success. I love the fact this school are changing the usual end-of-year tests.
Instead the school are treating this years mock exams like it’s the full blown GCSE’s.
Why? From my understanding by simulating the real GCSE experience a year early, the school aims to:
- Reduce Exam Anxiety: We all know many students experience stress & anxiety leading them to underperform on the big day. Familiarity with the format and structure of the exams can hopefully significantly lessen student stress and nerves ultimately improving performance.
- Identify Knowledge Gaps: By experiencing the whole process areas where students may need additional support or focused revision can be identified and worked on ready for the real GCSEs.
- Boost Confidence: Nailing this years exam’s could help to build confidence and a sense of readyness. The more empowered and confident the students are the more likely they are to excel in their actual GCSEs.
This proactive approach caught my eye. From speaking to teachers and in my personal experience most of the time Year 10 exams are seen as less significant. Basically leading to a potential lack of care & effort from students.
Turning them into mock GCSEs could elevate their importance, encouraging students to take them seriously and invest the necessary time and focus needed to get them ready for the real thing.
Shout out to this Cardiff school for its innovative approach in not only trying to increase academic achievement, but also increasing student well-being by minimizing exam anxiety.
Even if it doesn’t work I think it show’s great initiative and care from the school on supporting all their students alongside the Pupil Premium students. We all know students need help and things like this could potentially improve a number of areas and even help to close the ever growing Attainment Gap.
What are your thoughts on the way this school is supporting its Year 10 students? Have you seen any innovative approaches to exam prep in your experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts below or email office@dream2-reality.com for bookings.
