Perhaps 99% of the students saying afterwards that they understood what was presented? Maybe 99% of them saying they had learned more about study skills? When Graham Helliwell read these scores in the evaluation he received from Study Skills Zone, he was more than a little satisfied.
Graham is Assistant Head at The Skegness Grammar School. Founded over 500 years ago, it must be one of the oldest schools in the country. But it is dedicated to very modern aims: ‘growing relationships’, ‘nurturing talent’, ‘inspiring interest’ and being a place ‘where learning is exciting’. Graham wanted to do even more for his Year 11 students as they approached their public exams. So he invited Study Skills Zone into school to run two separate two-and-a-half hour programmes – half of his year group at a time.
Graham was delighted with the result. “This was all I had hoped for. In an enjoyable and relaxed way, my students have acquired additional skills in revision and study, particularly with regard to learning styles and memory techniques. They discovered that learning can be fun and that revision is not just reading through your notes. This was one of the common misconceptions about revision that was addressed. Study Skills Zone do a really professional job.”
Graham now plans to invite parents into school to share with them some of these ideas about how to prepare for exams. Study Skills Zone will make a presentation to parents so that they themselves will feel more confident about helping their sons and daughters prepare well for their GCSEs.
Matt Watson, Director of Study Skills Zone, commented: “This was the second time we have run the ‘Drive for Results!’ programme for Skegness. Once again, it was an exceptional event with very responsive students. They were an absolute joy to work with, on task throughout, reflective and highly motivated. We certainly agree with them about learning being exciting. This is one of our key aims too.”