As the new school year is well underway, Year 11 students are facing the inevitable pressure of exam revision. Year 11 is a time that can be fraught with stress for both pupils and their parents. However, Arena Academy's headteacher Raj Mann believes it doesn't have to be that way.
The headteacher has offered his advice for navigating this crucial year - including all the things you shouldn't do as a parent. He shares tips on how you can motivate your child, without sending them into a panic. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
"I think it's important to tackle it in small steps because, speaking from experience, children can often see it as one big exam at the end of the five years of being at secondary school," Mr Mann explained. "Of course, it is a lot of pressure and it can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for students and parents but it's best if you look at it in small steps and celebrate those small wins."
The principal recently appeared on the Brummie Mummies Podcast, where he shared further insights and tips to help Year 11 students succeed, reports Birmingham Live:
"If you are going into Y11 without a revision timetable that's a definite no-no," he warned. "The timetable needs to be made together, starting off with the leisure activities they enjoy first. Then break it up in terms of revision. Studies suggest that spacing out your revision works best so, for example, five hours spaced out over a week is better than cramming and doing five hours in one go.
"It sounds strange but research suggests you actually have to forget the knowledge in order for you to remember it. So, if you're revising trigonometry on the Monday, on the Tuesday allow yourself to forget it and then maybe revisit it on the Wednesday. Only then are you going to store information in your long-term memory."
"Of course, parents know their children best. With my own son, we'd created the timetable but, at first, he was a bit reluctant to start revision. Try not to micromanage or tell your child off for those sorts of things. Ideally you want to create a culture and atmosphere at home where your child is actually doing it themselves. So maybe they need a bit of support at the beginning but now, my child is in that habit now so he tends to revise for himself."
"Ensure there's a good learning environment in place so don't allow your child to sit down next to the TV revising. Sometimes, the kitchen table, where other conversations are happening, is a real no-no too. It needs to be a quiet space away from distractions. And remember, if you haven't got that space, there are often revision sessions happening after school, or they could go to the library."
"Sometimes, naturally as a parent, we may compare our child to one of their peers or a relative's child. Don't. Or at least try not to compare them. Celebrate their wins."
