Special Booster courses to help towards the GCSE & A-level exams this summer

It’s not too late to make a difference to the summer exam grades

Experience tells us that the time between now and May (the start of the summer exams) is critical, as every bit of work matters. At Excel, we are more determined than ever and we will make sure that we provide our students the highest level of support in the remaining few months before the exams.

There are two main out-of-school-hours programmes:

Regular week classes – mainly on Saturdays
Intensive Revision during school holidays – February Half Term and Easter Holidays

Each course is designed to help boost performance of GCSE and A-level students in the summer exams

Effective small group tuition – in-person classes or the online option, which is available on some courses

Here is what your son or daughter will get from the course:

Teaching in a small group where a highly competent teacher explains and reinforceskey concepts

One-to-one support in key areas that the individual student may be struggling with

Question practice, with the teacher’s assistance
Homework assignments set - consisting of more question practice based on the material covered in the class
Feedback and clarity on popular misconceptions
The company of other young people who are determined to do well.

Most GCSE or IGCSE students study from 10am to about 3.30pm and they attend classes in Maths, English and the Sciences – Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Some students take Triple and others do Combined Science. Below is what the student gets in each subject every week

GCSE – Y11 or Y10

1. A one-hour teaching period in each subject – to explain concepts and do question practice

2. 60 minutes of homework assignment setting – mainly past exam question practice

3. Plenty of one-to-one support throughout the day. This helps to address the need of the individual student.

A-Level – either first or second year AS or A2

Each A-level lesson lasts for about 2 hours and students of the same year group study in a small group of about two or three students. Most A-level students do two or three subjects, but some take just one subject.

1. Two hours of small group teaching, where key concepts are explained, and questions practised on those topics

2. Between 2 to 3 hours of homework assignment - mainly past exam questions to practice

3. Each student gets plenty of one-to-one support throughout the day

January to May Fees - 2025

Click Here to book and let's begin the conversation!

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Mr. McManus BEd (Hons) MA(Ed) NPQH)

Senior Physics Teacher and Head of Science speaks about the impact of the Saturday Classes in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. He talks about the benefits the revision classes bring in maximising students' potential and enhancing their understanding of the topics - allowing them to obtain top exam grades in Triple Science and Combined (double) Science.

Mr. J Smith MA Oxon - Mathematics

In this short video, Mr. J Smith compares the differences between the two-day or three-day intensive revision courses and the regular, weekly Saturday Classes for GCSE and A-level students. In his explanation, you can see the benefits for each of the two courses, and how they can help in making a difference to students' understanding and examination performance.

FAQs

Why this number of Saturdays?

Given the time remaining before the summer exams, this number of Saturdays is just about sufficient to cover much of the core aspects that students often struggle with in the exam and do plenty of question practice with guidance and feedback from the teacher.

What material is covered on the course?

We will ask for details about your child's exam board, and any options that the student may be studying. At the start of the classes, we will provide your child with a list of the topics we will be covering. It will be mainly the core concepts in the specification, and every session will include exam questions on the topics covered on that day. We actually do the teaching and explain concepts before a question practice session

Where is the course?

Classes are at our centre – located inside the British Library. However, for most year groups, there is an online option, with a separate class

British Library, 96 Euston Rd., London NW1 2DB

How can I join?

Contact us to find out if we have a place for your child and to ask any questions you may have. You can also complete the booking form by visiting https://excelinkeysubjects.com/booking-form/

Complete the application form and pay the fees.

We will provide you a timetable of the lessons, which are usually between 9am and 4pm on a Saturday.

Can I pay the fees by instalments?

Yes, you can split the fees into between two and four instalments - with the first payment due before starting and the final by the end of March.

Are all students taught together?

Each class only has students of the same year group and there are between three to five students.

The one-to-one tutorials are between one teacher and a student. Most classes are in person but others prefer online

Are students of the same ability?

Our classes are very small, about four to five students, and there is not usually a wide range of ability. Yes, some students are better in a specific subject than others, but, because classes are small, the teacher is able to identify the need of each student.

Maths groups are in set, as ability range can vary widely, even among those who are in Set One. Science subjects are similar but not as strictly streamed as Maths.

We move the student out a group if they are too weak or too strong for that group.

On average, our students are at around the B grade region when they join us; however, some are much stronger and some are a little weaker.

We strive to help them improve by two grade points, and, in fact, on average, this is the result we have achieved with our students, year in year out since 2004

Our courses are not suitable for youngsters who are unlikely to be able to achieve at least a C grade or much higher. It does not mean they have to be at that level when they join, but they must have the ability.

Information about the online option

What equipment does my child need if studying online?

A computer with a camera – preferably via a laptop or desktop and not a mobile. Tablets are OK!
Access to the Internet
Writing material: pen and paper or notebook – in case your child wants to make notes
A scientific calculator for Maths and Science subjects. No, mobile phones are not allowed to be switched on during lessons - to avoid distraction
A quiet place to learn and concentrate!

How do classes take place?

We will provide you a Zoom link in advance and, upon arrival, your child will be welcomed in a reception area, before being transferred into the teaching room (break out room), where the subject teacher is waiting.

After the first lesson, your child will come back to the reception area and be transferred to the next class, and so on.

For the group lessons, there are, on average, about four or five students in the group, with d the teacher using PowerPoint presentations or writing on a paper or using a digital pen – usually a combination of all the above, with what is being written displayed on the students' screens

The students can see the teacher when the teacher is teaching, and he or she can ask questions

We expect students to login and show up in the reception area five minutes before the lesson starts, and we will call you if your child does not show up within five minutes of the lesson starting.

Most classes take place on Zoom, but we occasionally use Microsoft Teams for some lessons.

Is this live teaching?

All the teaching is done by live video lesson, where the teacher interacts and your child can ask and usually will be asked questions. We expect the video camera for both students and teachers to be turned on during lessons.

Are lessons on video?

Yes, all lessons are on video and most classes are recorded. Your child can request access to most classes to view and reinforce their learning at a later time.

We expect the video camera for both students and teachers to be turned on during lessons. We believe that body language is an essential aspect of teaching and learning and our teachers like to see the students they are teaching, to ensure full participation and avoid unhelpful distractions!

Can my child use their mobile phone as a calculator?

No, mobile phones are not allowed to be switched on during lessons – to avoid distraction. A proper scientific calculator is required for Maths and Science subjects.