The 27th of October was the date when Paulet students experienced a day full of inspiration, excitement and motivation. Paulet High School hosted various academics from various universities and Danny and Sander from “Made Education”.
The day began with academic sessions from Sorcha Anglim (Media and Film production), Josh Lonsdale (Business and Finance), Dr Michael Fay (Law), Edible Bugs (Lauren Holmes) and Amanda Taylor (Education). Students learnt about the various paths and the amazing courses available. The academic sessions were an amazing experience. Student Ambassadors Megan Plummer, Shauna Richardson and Ellie Sardarvi gave students a true insight to university life. Our students had many of their questions and answered misconceptions about university removed.
Danny and Sander really inspired our students and gave ideas that many will use. The first session was on Marginal Gains. The students were told that the little things really do add up and that’s an idea that can be easily used within education. Students learnt that studies have shown that improving thirty different factors by 1% is much easier than improving one factor by 30%. By the end of the session students had analysed their current strengths and weaknesses, identified areas for improvement and decided on new positive actions to employ and review.
Many of our students wanted to know how to revise. We organised a session on revision
Where the students learnt how to read, review and condense complex data. They were able to develop focus and they learnt how to memorise key information. More importantly, students learnt how to organize and manage their time.
We didn’t finish there. We wanted our students to set goals and plan for their future too. We know it can be daunting for many to try and pick their GCSE or A level choices, or which career path they want to follow. Danny and Sander helped our students identify their goals and aspirations, helped them to identify their strengths and prioritise their efforts. Within just an hour, students had ambitions that are an achievable reality.
These are some of the views from our students following the day:
- It taught me how to do revision and homework consistently
- The workshop helped me to understand how to improve attributes to do with school
- The workshop encouraged me to strive harder
- The workshop ‘Rapid Revision’ gave excellent examples as to how to revise quickly and effectively
- It made me want to revise
- How to manage my time and the best way to revise
- I learnt how to get better results
- Taught me some helpful ways to revise
- Makes me more determined
- Made me think about school
- I will revise now
- Told me how to revise effectively. It was all good
- Learnt new revision techniques and how to turn bad habits into good habits
- It made impacts that I will use in my own life
- I can now revise effectively
- I now know how to revise – I thought it was all good
It is great doing such amazing events for our students. For the staff to be on the same page as students, we had an event after school just for staff. The staff were briefed on all the various ideas and techniques which means both our students and staff are commited to success.
This is what our staff though:
- Refreshed what I knew but sometimes forget to practice
- Made me think about lots of things, both personal and professional
- Gave me some small changes I can use both at work and at home
- Good explanations and practical activities – thank you
- Reflect on approach to teaching and adjust plans to lessons accordingly
- Reminded me of marginal gains and will use it for the dept. after mock exams
- Thought-provoking
- Made me reflect on my teaching and relationships
- It made me think about how I could use the techniques with my students
- Made me think about how to pace my teaching
- Great ideas for revision – impact on teaching and learning
- Ideas on how to get students to evaluate their exam practise with the wheel
- It refreshed my memory of what it is like for out students + learning experience
- Time to reflect – some useful research to apply in the classroom
- Reminded me how to see from learners’ point of view
- Practical techniques – immediately useful
We didn’t finish here…
We can’t do it alone, we need the support of parents and carers too. We hosted parents and carers in the evening where they listened to our head teacher, Mr McArthur, and deputy headteacher, Mrs Deer, who spoke to the parents about our Commit to Success Programme featuring after school and weekend study classes and additional individual support available to our students. Sander spoke to the parents and carers about marginal gains, revision and goals and aspirations. This means students, teachers and parents are now committed to success and together we can make a difference.
This is what our parents thought:
- Brilliant – Inspirational! I can use all of this. Fantastic, thank you
- Insightful
- How breaking down can help revision and not make it so overwhelming
- Feel like I can help my daughter now with useful tips
- Excellent ideas for revision techniques – excellent presentation – very informative
- Gave a new way of thinking
- A new way of learning
- Helped me to understand how to support my child in her revision
- The workshop made me consider various techniques for revision
- Very knowledgeable and enjoyable
- Helped me with different revision techniques
- It’s given me new ideas/ways to support Haydn with homework/revision
- Very informative and easy to understand – thank you!
- Pass on advice to son – fantastic
- Stressed importance of study and commitment from whole family
- New ideas – alternative actions – clever techniques
Parents enjoyed a buffet and had a fantastic opportunity to speak to colleagues from Harper Adams University, Keele University, Staffordshire University, and the University of Chester. Lucy Harding from Higher Horizons+ was also present and played a vital role to the success of the day. Lucy offered advice and guidance on higher education.