Your favourite motivational strategies for tough GCSE groups please?

[AHardDaysWrite]

I'm starting at a new school next week as HoD of a key department. I'm being given a small group of C/D borderline boys - this is a new group that has been created for January, made up of boys who have previously all been in different classes. There will be about 15 of them and I've been told a few of the "characters" of the year group will be in there...I've never started in January before, with kids who will be unused to each other (and obviously to me). I'm looking forward to the challenge but also feeling the pressure to get these guys to pass (and to prove my worth to the other staff!). I'm planning on all the usual methods (consistency, achievable targets, positive behaviour management bribing with haribo etc), but would love to share ideas of others' favourite strategies for groups like these.

Agree with Polly. have seen teachers knock themselves out woht this type of class trying to do all the 'whizzbangwow' stuff, not what works. boring stuff works because it is achievable and unthreatening to them. Copying, (OFSTED would have a fit ) calms them - simple gapfill/wordsearch - unthreatening, they know they can do it. Then when their confidence has increased and they 'know' you, you can start slowly on more interesting things. Doing this right now myself with a class that no-one else wants - it WILL work!

raffle tickets for attendance at revision classes

silly prizes they choose - our lot chose cheerios and packets of sweets

the draw at the end was great fun

lots of fun challenge too - do a football type league table for recall quizzes