Special Booster Classes to help towards the GCSE & A-level exams this summer
It’s not too late to make a difference to the summer exam grades
The time between now and 21st June (end 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 three or so months before teachers summit their grades to the exam board. We are a special five-week course – a weekly Saturday online course between April and May, designed to help boost performance of GCSE and A-level students in the summer exams.
Effective small group tuition – in-person classes at our centre. However, an online option is also available in some cases.
Here is what your son/daughter will get from the course:
- Teaching in a small group by explaining and reinforcing key concepts by a competent teacher
- Question practice, with the teacher’s assistance
- Homework assignments set in the form of more question practice based on the material covered – mainly from past papers
- Feedback and clarity on popular misconceptions
- The company of other young people who are determined to do well.
Dates in in April and May 2023: 22nd April; 29th April; 6th May; 13th May & 20th May.
Five Saturdays between 22nd April and 20th May, and we still have a limited number of places on some courses. An alternative course that we also have is the flexible, one-to-one consultation, but it a limited availability.
Most GCSE or IGCSE students study from 9.30am 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 each week per subject
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 lessons lasts for about 2 hours and students of the same year group study in a small group of about three or four 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
GCSE Fees for the 5 Saturday
5 Subjects – Maths, English & Triple Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) – £695
4 Subjects – Maths, English & Combined Science – £615
4 Subjects – Maths & Triple Science or English and Triple Science – £615
3 Subjects – Triple Science or Maths, English and one of the Sciences – £515
2 Subjects – Maths & English or two of the Sciences – £465
1 Subject – Maths or English or one of the Sciences – £275
Click Here to book and let's begin the conversation!
A-level Fees for the 5 Saturday
3 Subjects – Triple Science or Maths, English and one of the Sciences – £925
2 Subjects – Maths & English or two of the Sciences – £645
1 Subject – Maths or English or one of the Sciences – £345
Click Here to book and let's begin the conversation!
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.
Call us now on 020 7112 4832
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FAQs
Why five Saturdays?
Given the time remaining before the summer exams, five days are sufficient to cover much of the core aspects that students often struggle with in the exam and do sufficient question practice with the guidance and feedback from the teacher. The minimum we'd recommend is four Saturdays.
What material is covered on the course?
We will ask for details about your child's curriculum, including the exam board, and any options that the student may be studying. Just before the classes start, 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 at Kensington Olympia. However, for most year groups, there is an online option, with a separate class
Address: St James School, Earsby Street, London W14 8SH
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.
Complete the application form and pay the fees.
We will provide you 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 two instalments - with the first payment due before starting and the final by 2nd May However, there is an incentive of 2% discount if you pay the total in full at the start of the course.
Are all students taught together?
Each class only has students of the same year group and there are about four to five students.
The one-to-one tutorials are just a live video teaching between one teacher and a student.
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 academically strong. Science subjects are similar but not as strictly streamed as Maths.
We move the student out a group if they are too weak or two strong for that group.
On average, our students are at around B 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, and the teacher is teaching them by using PowerPoint presentations or writing on a paper or using a digital pen – usually a combination of all the above, and what is being written is displayed on 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.
Your child's grade(s) will markedly improve with Excel in Key Subjects, or we will give you a full refund of your tuition fees.
That's how confident we are of our proven system.
Why Students & Parents Love Us
Mr De Bernier, parent of a former student
Nathaniel, former student at Excel In Key Subjects
Israel, former student at Excel In Key Subjects