On 23 January, Year 7–Year 10 students participated in a PSHE workshop focused on the practical application of effective, research-based study skills. We believe it is important to begin explicitly teaching study skills as early as Year 7 to ensure that our students work efficiently and are able to hone their independent learning skills over many years before they sit external examinations.
The session opened by addressing the disparity between popular study habits and scientifically proven methods. Research suggests that traditional techniques, such as passive re-reading, are significantly less effective than active retrieval practices. The workshop highlighted that mastering ‘self-quizzing’ can have a significant impact on outcomes, with data showing that students who employ these methods can improve their performance by nearly a full grade.
Furthermore, the session addressed the environmental factors of learning. Evidence presented to the students revealed that those who study in silence perform up to 60% better than those who listen to music with lyrics. By understanding these cognitive principles, our students are better equipped to take ownership of their revision.
To ensure the session was as engaging as it was informative, the delivery was highly interactive. Students began with a ‘True or False’ challenge to debunk common revision myths. This was supported by practical, hands-on demonstrations, where every student was provided with their own personal pack of flashcards to keep.
The core of the workshop focused on three primary evidence-based strategies:
Flashcards: Students were instructed on how to construct effective flashcards, focusing on keywords and mnemonics, ensuring they are used for self-testing rather than just reading.
Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check: This classic five-step method was reinforced as a fundamental tool for moving information into long-term memory.
Brain Dumps: A retrieval practice where students write down all known information on a topic before reviewing their notes to identify and address specific ‘knowledge gaps’.
The students engaged exceptionally well in the workshop; teachers have already seen students using their flashcards during Prep Time, and the library has been busy selling flashcards to students keen to have a pack for each subject. The following week, Ms Archibald and Mrs Perrang’s workshop was followed by sessions delivered by tutors to reinforce and embed the study skills learned.
We encourage parents to discuss these techniques at home to help reinforce these habits as we move towards exam season. As already mentioned, additional flashcards are available for purchase in the school library.
Ms Olivia Archibald
Assistant Headteacher, Curriculum