Special Booster Classes from January to May – to help towards the GCSE & A-level exams this coming summer. The vast majority of our students are aiming for A*, A or B at the lowest
It’s prime time to do something about making a real difference to the summer’s exam performance
The time between now and May is critical, as not only does every bit of work matter but it has to be done in a manner that helps the student to make real progress towards the finishing line. At Excel, we are more determined than ever, and we will make sure that we provide our students the highest level of support in these remaining few months before the exams. The most popular course, which we have been running since 2004, is our flagship Saturday classes. We run other courses such as the intensive revision during school holidays or the one-to-one flex, but the information here is mainly about the Saturday School.
Between now and the middle of May, we offer weekly Saturday classes, with the option of either in-person or online. These are designed to help boost performance of GCSE and A-level students in the summer exams.
Effective small group tuition – in-person or online
Here is what your son or 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 – 16 Saturdays between January and May
There are more Saturdays between the periods quoted here; we exclude most of the school holiday breaks such as Easter, so they do not count towards the number we are offering.
A list of the courses we offer
- Saturday classes – our flagship programme for GCSE, A-level and KS3 in core academic subjects – more information on this page
- Intensive Revision – two day (GCSE) or three-day (A-level) per subject during school holidays
- Excel iLearn Flex – flexible, live online teaching – limited to Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology GCSE at present
- Consultation tuition – flexible one-to-one teaching by a top teacher (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. One Hour of Teaching in each subject – to Explain Concepts and do Question-Practice
2. A Sixty-minute homework assignment is set – exam question practice
3. Plenty of one-to-one support in a small-group setting throughout the day. This helps to address the need of the individual student.
For the Saturday School, students can stay for extra hours to study and get help from tutors as they do question-practice. These extra hours is at no additional cost to parents. This extra value-adding is unique to Excel.
A-Level – either first or second year AS or A2
Each A-level lesson lasts for about 90 minutes, 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. 90 minutes of small group (about 3 students) teaching, where key concepts are explained, and questions practised on those topics
2. About 2 hours of homework assignment – mainly past exam questions to practice
3. Each student gets plenty of one-to-one support throughout the day
For the Saturday School, students can stay for extra hours to study and get help from tutors as they do question-practice. These extra hours is at no additional cost to parents. This extra value-adding is unique to Excel.
January start – GCSE fees
| GCSE & KS3 – Saturday Classes – January 2024 start Fees | |||||
| 5 subjects | 4 subjects | 3 subjects | 2 subjects | 1 subject | |
| [English, Maths & Triple Science] | Maths, English & Combined Science or any 2 Science subjects for Triple Science students | [Maths & Combined Science –OR English & Combined Science OR Triple Science] | [Maths & English OR Combined Science or any 2 Science subjects for Triple Science students | [Maths OR English] | |
| Term 1 (D & A included) | £1,215 | £995 | £895 | £745 | £495 |
| Term 2 | £1,215 | £995 | £895 | £745 | £495 |
| Total | £2,430 | £1,990 | £1,790 | £1,490 | £990 |
January start – fees
A-level Fees for January Start
| A-level fees – January 2024 start | ||||
| 1 subject | 2 subjects | 3 subjects | 4 subjects | |
| Term 1 (D & A included) | £710 | £1,325 | £1,995 | £2,415 |
| Term 2 | £710 | £1,325 | £1,995 | £2,415 |
| Total | £1,420 | £2,650 | £3,990 | £4,830 |
Mr. McManus BEd (Hons) MA(Ed) NPQH)
The 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
or request a call back
FAQs
Why Saturday Classes?
Given the time remaining before the summer exams, these number of weeks 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.
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 each 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 a timetable of the lessons, which are usually between 9am and 3.30 to 4 pm on a Saturday.
Can I pay the fees by instalments?
Yes, you can split the fees into three or four instalments – with the first payment due before starting and the final by the end of April. 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 classes are very small, so the teacher is able to provide individual attention to each student. However, sometimes this is not sufficient so, in cases where a student is struggling on a particular topic, or is not performing to his or her full potential, we will set aside time outside the group and provide one-to-one tutorials 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 sets, 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 a student out a group if they are too weak or too 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. We insist on students handwriting notes, as opposed to typing, as this reflects what is expected in the actual exam
- 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. The teacher teaches them by sharing screen with them – including pdfs, 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, no 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