GCSE Online Revision Programmes/Memberships

[GrumpyMuleFan]

I have a y10 DS and have been researching how I can help him with his GCSE. My Facebook and IG feed are now inundated with revision programmes and memberships offering to help shepherd my son through the process.

So far we've signed up for My Science GCSE which looks fantastic. I've also come across Verity English Educator (English language), Up Learn and A Team Maths. The idea of a well thought out programme really appeals as my son finds it difficult to know what to revise / how to go about it. I say that about him, but I think I struggle with that bit too! We have the school notes and revision books for the exam board, but the video content and progression is very appealing.

Any have any experience of these? Or any others that are good?

Bumping? Anyone tried any of these or similar?

BBC Bitesize is free, and very good.

Does his school not have any subscriptions? Ours used Seneca (though my son didn't like it much).

I don't know anyone who felt a need to pay for something.

... actually, I just checked, Seneca is free too! I always assumed the school paid for it, but I guess not.

My DS has Seneca too. He doesn't like it either. Thank you - I always forget about Bite Size / BBC - we will go and have a look.

Massolit- English Literature!

Thanks @HollyGolightly4 I haven't come across that , thank you.

@dreamitup - re the money. I think the general idea is that it is cheaper than a tutor and you can work a little often + at your own pace. I don't mind paying extra if they are really good / helpful. We have used tutors in the past but find it difficult to schedule as DS plays a lot of sport.

Hi, in terms of revision resources I think you're fully covered, however, your son could make use of some past paper solvings that are freely available on Youtube, and another thing my kids used which helped them to excel in both their GCSEs and A Levels was registering in an online tutoring programme, the online school we used is called EAA Virtual Learning Academy, and let me just say I don't think my kids would have been able to score so high in their exams without them, the service was super affordable, with loads of lovely teachers, and they also provide their own personalised exam resources such as revision guides, textbooks, specific flashcards, etc. Let me know if you want me to share their contact. I hope this helped a little bit, Good Luck!

DD found Save My Exams really useful for things like model answers - but probably best saved for nearer the time. We just got three months in the run up to GCSEs and it was plenty.

Physicsandmathstutor is a great site, not just for physics and maths, notes, mind maps and questions galore.

And it's free! Also my DS did a lot of you tube videos.

Does anyone know anything similar for language GCSEs - specifically German and Italian?

I am pretty sure Save My Exams has German past papers for nearer the time. I don't think it has Italian. The good thing about language revision/learning is that you can do a lot of stuff on your own - would recommend listening to music in target language (if you have Spotify, you can follow along with the lyrics for lots of songs), watching TV and films in target language, reading magazines or simple books etc etc. All of this will help so much and can actually be fairly enjoyable. It is OK to listen to a podcast in German and not understand it, even hearing the rhythms/tune/sounds and hopefully picking out the odd word will help to some extent.

A good place to start is watching something that you already know the story of, so maybe Harry Potter or something but dubbed into the other language (Amazon sites for specific countries are likely to have DVDs and if you get a free VPN you can also stream stuff from other countries on Netflix or Prime).

Those are great suggestions, thanks Bonjour! I don't know either language myself so tricky to know how to support.

DD did Russian for GCSE so I completely understand re not knowing how to support! French was way easier to help with.

https://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/en/spr/ueb.html

@stuckasastuckthing There are some free things available here for German. I just remembered this as my friend and I used to go and watch German films here when learning German pre-internet! There is probably an Italian equivalent around somewhere but my Italian is strictly limited to menus so no idea where.

Hi all, I see I was mentioned on this thread in November 2023, so thought I'd jump on. Thanks so much @GrumpyMuleFan for the mention. I offer GCSE English language and literature programmes. In terms of cost and flexibility, there are different options. I'm just about to release a self-study English literature essay writing course: From confused to confident essay writer and would be happy to send anyone interested more details.

Looks good @TurtleGemSaturn - little bit of feedback, she needs to put the exam board for English, because they require different things!

Please could you DM details? Thank you!

I second all that. My daughter read Harry Potter in German and it really helped her with A-level. And watched German peppa pig!

This is super helpful, thank you