At Northampton High School GDST our students are highly aspirational, aiming for excellent university destinations; this means they need to achieve excellent A Level results to secure their offers.
Therefore we offer a range of guidance and support for students in order for them to not only be as academically prepared as possible, but also to feel confident and psychologically ready to succeed when the summer examinations commence.
Significant credit in preparing for A Level exam success at Northampton High School GDST goes to the excellent subject specialist teachers, who are highly experienced educators and experts in their field, adapting lessons to learners’ needs to ensure high levels of knowledge and understanding are developed. By completing courses efficiently it leaves ample time for in depth revision activities, designed to stretch students’ thinking, draw synoptic links between concepts and regularly review learning prior through examination style questions. Teachers also ensure students have a rich diet of bespoke feedback on their work, helping to pinpoint the precise aspects to be developed that will make the greatest impact on their attainment.
Careful and regular advice is given throughout the learning journey at Northampton High School GDST on how to best revise content, with students being exposed to a wide range of techniques, from the use of mnemonics, mind mapping or flashcards; the use of study groups, active recall or teach another; applying principles such as interleaving, the Podmoro technique or spaced repetition. When students reach their A Level examinations they already have a wide array of learning tools at their disposal and using their metacognitive thought processes they are able to self select the best ways for them to independently revise and prepare for A Level exam success.
However, being academically prepared is only part of the reason for students being successful; we recognise that if students are tired, demotivated and lack confidence then they will not be able to fulfill their potential; therefore, the careful work of the pastoral and wellbeing teams in supporting every individual to thrive is crucial. This can be through individual support sessions with our wellbeing advisor or mentoring sessions with form tutors, subject teachers or the Director of Sixth Form. For those needing further support the Sixth Form Mentoring Programme offers a structured approach to students identifying the best ways to develop further and meet their goals.
Ultimately the largest reason for A Level exam success comes down to the hard work and dedication of the students themselves, who strive each and every day to rise up to challenges and develop themselves as learners. Our students know that we believe in them and it is evident from their rich successes that they believe in themselves.
Mr James Earp
Director of Sixth Form
