GCSE Revision Courses Geography, History, English

[Waffles21]

Hi
does anybody know of any Easter holiday revision courses in the subjects above in Buckinghamshire please or give me an idea where to look? Thanks so much!

Sorry as this isn't exactly what you're asking but have you checked with your school first?- ours put on a surprisingly large number of revision sessions during the Easter hols. They gave parents very little notice but parents of older DC knew that they do this every year. They have the benefit of being very tailored for the right exam board/ modules too.

Thank you! I’ve heard of one external course but that’s a good shout, will ask, thanks so much- first time going through this so clueless!

Just bumping this! School don’t offer any and are unable to recommend any. Does anybody know of any decent Easter revision courses in bucks/ herts borders please? Worst case happy for son to go into London as well. Thanks

Tbf I have not really heard of this a a general thing. I don't know of anyone who used a course of this kind, so there may not be much demand and hence supply.

Some people I know used a tutor for specific subjects – would that be a possibility? Some tutors offer online courses as a group option so that brings the price down. Trouble is as a PP says, you would need it to be the right board/texts/topics. There are many history options and lots of choices for Eng lit too (tho tbf some texts are deffo more popular).

What is the concern @Waffles21? Are there specific gaps in knowledge? There are lots of resources out there – many YouTube videos for Eng lit texts for example. Lots of sample questions. CGP revision guides.

Thanks @clary. I think it’s revision technique and not knowing where to start tbh! My exams were decades ago and he won’t listen to us anyway! He’s putting pressure on himself as he’s at a grammar and needs certain grades to stay. We’ve got the CGP guides and revision cards so o think when his mocks are over and we have focus areas we’ll sit down and hatch a plan! Thanks again

Ok well if it's about revision technique and not knowing where to start, I don't think a course at Easter, if you could even find one, would be much help. He needs to start now (I infer he has not really started). There are lots of threads on here about revision techniques but here are a few thoughts:

Different people revise in different ways. Some suggestions:

• Mind map everything you know about a topic then cross check with the revision guide what is missing
• Work with a friend to pick up gaps in knowledge and test each other
• Get him to explain the topic to you
• Pick up any gaps and make revision cards and use them
• Record some key facts to remember and listen to them on the way to school
• Obviously look at past papers and see what the structure of questions is; check the mark scheme to see how much of an answer you need to give – no point writing two sides if only two points are needed for two marks

One really good way to target revision is to pick a topic to focus on for revision – let's say the supernatural in Macbeth or causes of the First World War – and do targeted work on that topic for 30-45 mins. Much better and less daunting than just writing “English lit” on your revision timetable and then getting overwhelmed.

Have a look at Justin Craig. They offer revision courses for GCSE that focus on both revision technique and exam practice. They also have them over Feb half term. They are not cheap but I have family members who have been very happy with them.

Past papers are available on the exam board website with mark schemes, he would be better off practising those and self checking.

The examiners reports will also be on there which dissects the common responses and misconceptions to each question which is also useful to read.

Easter is too late to start working on exam technique anyway.