This is a crucial stage of any child’s education. It is the time when students must gain the vital grounding upon which their future GCSE exam performance will be based. As such it is essential that the value of education is kept at the forefront of students minds and that that the need to develop excellent individual learning skills is constantly reinforced. If students do not remain focused on developing and enhancing their learning skills at this stage and are permitted to ‘switch-off’, then it can prove very difficult to turn them back on again later.
At Aspire our focus in KS3 Maths, Science and English is to help and encourage students to develop their individual learning skills whilst at the same time ensuring that holes in knowledge which may, for one reason or another develop, are quickly identified and filled. We strive to keep our KS3 students ‘switched-on’ to their learning. We do this by boosting their confidence when they realise that, in comparison with their peers at school, their levels of understanding and ability are enhanced as a result of the extra work they have put in with us. In addition to that, we constantly aim to counsel and advise them in how to tackle the learning process effectively and in a way which meets their individual needs.
Many of our highest achieving GCSE students started with us in either KS2 or early KS3 and the feedback we receive from those students and their parents firmly demonstrates their belief that attendance at Aspire Tuition played a significant part in that success.
Key stage 4
Whilst KS3 is the ultimate and proven developing ground for ultimate GCSE success, many of our KS4 students unfortunately only come to us after performing ‘below-par’ in mock exams which take place either before or after Christmas in Year 11. It is frequently the case that we admit new students at this stage who had been predicted level 7/8 and only achieve level 4/5 in their mocks – just a few months before their actual exams. We can do a great deal to help such students and have had some remarkable success over the 16 years that we have been providing professional tuition in Swindon, but many such students freely admit; having seen what we can do to help them, that they should have come to us much earlier on.
For every student that seeks out extra tuition in KS4 there are many who desperately need it but who fail to heed the warning that low marks in progress tests or mock exams are giving. A student whose performance starts to decline below expected levels can, unless some timely help is provided, become disillusioned and frustrated with their own sense of impending failure. This can, in some cases, just lead to them giving up altogether. They simply resign themselves to inevitable post-GCSE resits and fail to realise the negative impact that this can have on their other KS5 subjects. This downwards spiral needs to be halted, confidence needs to be restored and that is certainly one area where our extra tuition can help.
With a good grounding at KS3, all students need to commence Year 10 knowing that everything they do from then on is preparation for a GCSE. Their notes need to be ‘spot-on’ and ‘revision ready’ from day one and kept that way. At Aspire, we constantly encourage students to make a comprehensive set of useful and effective notes in each study area and to regularly revisit and revise those notes so that they learn effectively and avoid the need to cram just before their exams. This is an important part of the tuition process.
Just wanted to say a big thank you for the past 6 years. Not just for boosting me academically but also for the motivation you gave me when I was overstressing. You made me realise that no matter what is on the paper on results day, I should feel very proud of how hard I worked and tried. Thank you so much, Jasleen.
Jackie Snowdon
We were finding that the size and mix of some of the classes in secondary school were making it difficult for Josh to learn to his full potential, that’s why we first came to Aspire.
When our eldest son, Josh, was studying with David and the Aspire team he gained an A in his GCSE maths, which he definitely wouldn’t have managed without their support and they helped him immensely.
When Josh left, our youngest, Joel, was also keen to start learning with Aspire. Joel’s initial assessment showed he was behind where he ought to be, which was a surprise to us but he has now caught up.
Having the one-to-one help but within a classroom environment with other children really helps Joel. He enjoys it more and finds it easier than studying at home. Sue goes through things that have been covered at school that Joel doesn’t fully understand and Joel is a lot more confident now.
Joshua Snowdon
I really enjoyed my time with Aspire.
I first started coming when I was predicted a C in my GCSE maths and I wasn’t happy with that. During my assessment with Aspire I was told that I had the potential to get an A. I planned on doing A Levels in law, psychology and history so I needed to get at least a B for these.
During the lessons, David always took the time to explain things and would he would also plan them so we would look at the things that I was struggling with in school. He always encourage me and I achieved an A in my GCSE.
I kept in touch with David as my brother is also going to Aspire. David knew that I was applying to study law at university and he helped me with my personal statement. I’m now at the University of Essex studying law.
Aspire helped me much more than just getting an A in my GCSE Maths, they helped me get where I am today.