Teachers urged to adopt 'personalised' approach to revision

Schools can get 'personalised' revision tips aimed at helping pupils to prepare for exams from new guidance written by education experts.

School Standards Minister David Miliband said that while some young people might benefit from unsupervised revision, others do better in a more structured setting.

Calling for more schools to learn from those that have taken a personalised approach to revision, he said ways of achieving this included:

• Replacing traditional home study leave with supervised revision in school;
• Holding subject workshops before and after school, at weekends and during the holidays;
• Setting up networks of mentors to provide individual support to pupils preparing for exams;
• Teaching study skills throughout the year;
• Putting systems in place so schools know how each pupil learns best.

The guidance also highlights case studies showing how schools have helped pupils prepare for exams.

David Miliband said that GCSE standards are rising but approaches to learning and revision should be tailored to make sure every child gets the best possible education. He also said that study leave should not be 'videogame leave.'

"It is important that every child is supported in achieving the highest grade they can at GCSE, not achieving the highest score on the games console."

Prime Minister Tony Blair said in a speech yesterday to the National Association of Head Teachers he wanted to make it a norm that 16 year olds should be qualified to go on to sixth form or modern apprenticeships, and then to higher education or skilled employment.

Setting out plans to help schools plan for improvement by moving to a three yearly, rather than yearly, budget system for schools, Mr Blair said these budgets would be aligned to the school year, not the financial year, and would therefore reflect the way schools are managed.

Beyond study leave - Helping students prepare for GCSEs may be found at www.schoolsnetwork.org.uk

(SP)