5 Reasons To Study GCSEs At A College

Choosing to study GCSEs at a college rather than in a traditional school setting may seem unorthodox and potentially risky. Staying where you are and completing your GCSEs just seems like the most sensible and safe route for many.

However, as we learn more and more about the multiplicity of learning styles, traditional schools often have a one size fits all approach, and you may want to go elsewhere to continue your learning.

This is where independent colleges can play a crucial role. Many students across the country will choose to attend institutions like these to study A-Levels, however,  independent colleges also offer intensive and comprehensive GCSE courses as well. These are great for students who do not feel like they fit into a traditional school setting.

When researching this article I came across a host of benefits to studying GCSEs at an independent college. I discussed with a leading independent college in London, Ashbourne College, some of the factors that can make for a highly enjoyable, and most importantly impactful, educational experience at independent colleges. Here are the results. 

1. Fresh Environment


Many students remain at secondary school all the way from Year 7 (11 years old) to Year 11 (16 years old) or even Year 13 (18 years old!). Five years is an extremely long time to be in the same place every day, often being taught by the same teachers. Students are an entirely different person at 16 than they were when they started school. I am sure many parents have had the experience of their child missing a deadline or performing poorly early on in their secondary school tenure, for which they are then profiled and pigeonholed for the rest of their studies.

This situation does not help students develop. Moving to a college for GCSEs or IGCSE allows students to make a fresh start, leaving behind any silly mistakes they made whilst adjusting to secondary school life, with teachers who truly want them to succeed in the most important stage of their education.

2. Small Class Size

We have all had experiences of secondary school classes that are at absolute maximum capacity with 30 students crammed into one room. It can be hard to see the board, difficult to get the teacher’s attention and is simply an ineffective learning environment.

At a private college, class sizes are kept small, often not more than 10 students in a class. This means that students can become more engaged in the lesson and no one is left behind. The individual attention that teachers are able to provide students means that many can gain the very top grades in their examinations. If your student is not one to pick concepts up instantly without support this kind of setting is absolutely key.

3. Focused Teaching


The fact that colleges are entirely focused on success in GCSE and A-Level examinations means that teachers’ time and knowledge is dedicated entirely to the specifications for these exams. Their knowledge of the courses will be more in-depth than teachers who are stretched to teach Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 as well as GCSEs.

In colleges, students are taught to the exam from day one, which is the most effective method for students who are coasting at a ‘B’ grade, who want to access the very top A and A* grades. Overall, this can mean better lessons, more focussed advice and greater success in exams.

4. Mature Cohort

When studying GCSEs at college, students go from being one of the oldest students in the setting to being one of the youngest. Whilst this can be daunting at first, having older students around them means they have many to look up to. There will always be a student in Year 13 who is interested in the same subjects as them who can provide advice on tricky things like university applications and revision techniques.

Colleges also often have an extensive mentoring programme, in which Year 13 students are paired with younger students for homework support. An older cohort also means better student behaviour and fewer disturbances. Students can remain focused and get things done. Overall, a cohort of students ranging from 15 to 18 or 19 simply creates an environment that is more conducive to learning and achievement, particularly for students who struggle with distractions in a larger school environment.

5. Guaranteed Entry Into The Sixth Form

Colleges such as Ashbourne, which offer GCSE and A-Level courses will often offer guaranteed entry from GCSEs into A-Levels. Many larger private secondary schools have very strict entry requirements for students looking to stay on for A-Levels.

Ashbourne’s statistics for grade improvement are some of the best in the country and, as a result, they are able to commit to students and guarantee them a place in their sixth form for A-Levels. On average, students studying there will improve their grades by 1.5 levels, meaning if a student does not achieve their desired grades right away, they will very likely improve by the time they leave. The attitude is, therefore, the earlier they join, the more they will improve.

So these are 5 reasons to study GCSEs at a college. Let me know if your children are considering studying at college.  

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Completing a Spring Clean? A Guide To Places That Are Often Missed In Our Homes

With Spring well upon us, even if the recent cold weather says otherwise, I am confident that there will be some people reading this who are contemplating their upcoming Spring clean.

While I am confident that those reading this are just as house proud as I am and regularly ensure their homes are cleaned, there are often areas of our houses that remain untouched for vast periods. This is entirely normal! Let’s be honest here, who has the time to juggle regular deep cleans of their houses, along with everything else that life throws at us?

Enough of my rambling, and onto the main event! Detailed below is a list of some of the areas in our houses that often get missed when completing a deep clean, which should undoubtedly be included in your upcoming Spring clean.

Houses big and small, I am confident there is something here that relates to you.

Baseboards



We have all been guilty of skirting over these in our homes from time to time. The baseboard, also known as a skirting board, are in most of the rooms in our homes and are certainly a magnet for dust and other specks of dirt. Ensure that you give these little nooks and crannies some attention when going about your deep clean, will make sure that you do not need to do it again for some time. Easy to clean, this particular job should not take too much time to complete.

Underneath Your Furniture

It does seem somewhat obvious, but it is another place in our homes that often get missed when completing a deep clean. The saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ pops into our heads when imagining this! Setting aside a day or two to clean your home does not go without shifting and heaving – safely, of course – items of furniture that have not been moved in some time. There is sure to be a collection of crumbs underneath your kitchen appliances, so what better time to get them swept away than during your in-depth Spring clean?!

This is not just restricted to the larger appliances in the home either. When was the last time the toaster and microwave were pulled out and given a clean underneath? Making a mental note to remember these will ensure that those once untouched areas will be sparkling clean again in no time.

Curtains And Blinds



Something that we are guilty of forgetting, it doesn’t seem like something that needs cleaning all that often but is sure to be attracting specks of dust and dirt like anything. Particularly if you have vertical blinds in your home for practical or aesthetic reasons – they are said to collect less dust than their counterparts but of course, they still need cleaning, so how best do you go about tackling the task to hand?

Make My Blinds have compiled a helpful guide on their site on how to clean vertical blinds effectively and easily. If you are someone who has vertical blinds in their home and wants to know how best to clean them without the risk of damaging them in any way, then head to their website to find out more.

Bins And Waste Disposal

It goes without saying, but no one really likes to go near the rubbish bin when it is full or smelling foul. That's pretty normal, right? With this in mind, it is easy to imagine that the rubbish bin itself often gets overlooked when the rest of the home is given a clean. It is worth adding to the growing to-do list for your upcoming Spring clean.

This does not just mean giving it a wipe down on the outside, although that is important. By providing the inside of the bin a deep clean and even pouring some cleaning products that are packed full of good scents into the bin itself, you can rest assured that your nostrils will be pleased the next time the bin is opened.

While these are but a minimal list of some of the home's commonly missed areas when completing a deep clean, we hope that it has left you inspired and that you have a better idea of what areas in your house you need to focus on in the coming weeks.

Whether you decide to tackle the jobs in a single weekend or over the space of a few days, you can go forth into the summer months feeling house proud, knowing that it is clean and tidy for when we can once again have visitors.

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The Better Planet Plastic Petition

I think I can say that most of us want a better world for future generations to come.  I know as I get older, I am increasingly more concerned about the environment. With so much information out there it can be hard to know what to do to really make a difference, but you certainly can and you don't have to be an 'eco-warrior' either! 

What I am doing to becoming more eco-friendly

rubbish

Of course, it's a big and sometimes complicated subject. Personally, I am consciously buying less especially new, upcycling, and recycling. By doing these three things I feel I am helping to minimise my impact on the world and to be more environmentally aware and more eco-conscious.  I've even joined a group that picks up rubbish from the beaches and surrounding area. 

Buying less reduces the need for the consumption of energy whilst making the product and the packaging. Upcycling, especially if you have the skills in crafting can be fun and productive by making something new and different out of old products you no longer want.  Whilst recycling is especially important so that our waste can be manufactured and used again, and not burnt to produce greenhouse gases or sent to landfill. 

Let's focus on plastic recycling, what you can do to minimise plastics and the Better Planet Project by BetterYou.

Living in a seaside town


Living in a seaside town in South Wales, I see my fair share of rubbish. Yes, there are bins around but the amount of people we have had through here over lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic has been much more than usual. I can't blame people for coming here, it's a beautiful little town with some amazing beaches, however, the litter is getting unreal. Increased bins and litter collection has helped clean it up a little but also people need to realise that they need to take their litter with them if bins are full. It's a windy place, as many coastal destinations are, and before you know it the litter is everywhere including on the beaches and washed into the sea, causing harm to humans, animals and marine life. There is nothing worse than children playing on the beach and coming across broken glass. 

Better recycling

recycling bins

Recycling here in South Wales is not perfect but Wales generally has a decent recycling system for household waste. In fact, Wales is fast becoming a world leader in recycling with the mantra of Reuse, Repair and Recycle coming across strongly, whilst England seems to have a few problems in this area. For example, there is no national unified programme of household and industrial waste collection. This is where the company BetterYou wants to see change. 

BetterYou is a health care company that has a commitment to becoming a more sustainable brand through the Better Planet Project.  They are looking to transform their product range so that any plastics they use are ocean recycled or plant-based and 100 per cent recyclable. They are also removing all palm oil and palm oil derivates from all their products and reducing CO2 emissions. 

BetterYou are campaigning for local authorities to create a unified waste plastic collection and recycling programme in the UK. 

They feel that there needs to be a national programme that is 
  1. independently monitored
  2. standardised
  3. reviewed annually. 

Please sign the petition 


They've even set up a BetterYou petition which I think is worth signing, and I urge you to as well so that recycling becomes easier for the average person, the whole process is unified countrywide, and that the government monitors the progress made by the country as a whole. The UK should also strive to be self-sufficient and in control of its plastic recycling, rather than allowing materials to be sent overseas and to landfill.

People want to recycle but it's easy to get confused. To make recycling simpler is a worthy task, but a task I feel needs to be carried out to ensure people, know what can be recycled and know what recycling bag to put it in. Many people are confused about this and this needs to be evaluated, changes made and implemented to become more productive. 

It is time to end the confusing, differing recycling policies across English authorities so that we can all do our part in working towards a greener future. Signing the BetterYou petition by the 19th of April will mean that if they reach their goal of 10,000 signatures the government will respond to the petition and at 100,000 signatures it will be debated in parliament.

At the end of the day, we all want a better planet for future generations. 

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Exploring Gratitude With Your Child

Any parent wants their child to grow to be a thankful person, appreciative of the world around them, and what that world gifts them. With the help of a Prep School in Surrey, here are some tips as to how you can explore gratitude with your child.

Be A Role Model

thank you card
Demonstrating that you yourself are thankful for the things in your life will inspire your child to act the same. If you make sure to show your gratitude for the things in your life, pointing out how lucky you are, will encourage your child to be very appreciative of everything from the birthday presents they receive, to the food on their plate.

Thank You Cards

Get your children into the habit of writing thank you cards following receiving gifts for their birthday and Christmas. It is a way to teach them how important it is to say thank you, as well as encouraging them to practice good manners.

Find Fun Ways To Say Thank You




Thank you cards may be an important way to practice gratitude, but writing a load of cards could end up feeling like a chore to your children. Try and find ways to make the act of saying thank you fun, whether that’s making the cards yourselves with your kids, or planning a grand gesture to say thank you to someone special like the teacher at the end of the year. Baking a cake, making some chocolates or painting a picture can be another way of saying thank you for example.

Put Things In Perspective

Teaching your children to have some perspective can be a little hard, but it is something that will mean much more to them as they grow up and learn more about the world. Help them learn about other areas of the world where people aren’t as lucky as they are, to help build a greater appreciation for what it is they have in their lives. It will also help them to develop compassion and empathy for other people, helping them to become a more sensitive and considerate person.

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Why You Should Consider Using Natural Protection For Your Garden Growing Needs

Many of us when new to gardening may think it a good idea to use artificial pesticides or chemicals to help protect our garden.

At first, you may think this is the best thing you can do, after all, they’re readily available to purchase in all the garden shops. Sadly, you may be doing more harm than good. There are alternative natural options for you to consider which are kinder to the environment, let's have a look at what they are.

Better For The Environment

garden and butterfly

A lot of information has been raised in the last few years regarding climate change and the environment in general. Indeed, there is quite a lot that can be done in our own homes and garden. Growing produce, plants and flowers naturally without any toxic chemicals will help sustain normal growth, and help protect wildlife.

Whilst it can be annoying to have crops eaten by pests, there are natural ways to deter them, letting everything run smoothly. For example, there are many common plants and herbs that keep the pests away, such as mint, basil and rosemary that keep away mosquitos and flies. Do some research and you will find lots of naturally occurring insect deterrents. 

Nature is one of our biggest tools when it comes to fighting against climate change, and through replanting and conservation work, we can help make out planet a nicer place to live.

Looks After Your Plants



As I’m sure you can imagine, protecting your plants has one main purpose above all. Keeping them alive. A simple concept, but over the years protection went from a simple scarecrow in a garden to scare away birds, to using unnatural chemicals to kill anything that comes near.

This eventually led to more and more corporations adding in pesticides that were getting stronger and stronger. Many of us would prefer to use more natural methods to keep pests at bay and lots of us have realised that it’s better for all involved to go natural. This is where we’ve started to see innovations such as in thermal protected settings. Thermally protected nettings are designed to cover your plants, stopping both insects and pests from getting in, as well as nasty unwanted weather such as frost.

This way, nothing gets killed in your garden, nothing is poisoned and nothing is damaged. If you’re not sure where to start, then consider looking at Little Fields Farm. They offer a range of different netting options, such as jacket coverings or traditional tunnels.

As well as offering protective nets, they can offer other garden essentials, including plant feed and fertilisers, maintenance products and even water systems. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or perhaps not sure where to start, then they are a great place to browse for inspiration.

Good For Your Health


Staying away from harmful chemicals will also have a benefit to you, as well as to your plants.

When you use chemicals, you run the risk of accidentally getting some in your system in some way or another. Whereas when you go more natural, the risk is almost eliminated. That’s not to say that ingesting organic pesticides is a good idea, don’t ingest any chemical or pesticides and if you accidentally do, ring a doctor.

Gardening itself, as a hobby, also helps support your health. Outdoor gardening will help give your body an injection of vitamin D from sunlight, which helps you fight off diseases and boots the immune system. 

Let me know, do you like gardening?

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Choosing An Envelope For Your Special Occasion

When you have a special occasion to buy for, everything has to be just right. From the food to the drink, to the ceremony to the invitations. You may be amazed how much there is to get right, I know I was when I got married! Finding those perfect finishing touches helps everything go smoothly and makes it a day to remember. Even something as seemingly simple as choosing envelopes or mini envelopes have a hundred different options. Let's have a look at how to choose an envelope for your special occasion.

Size



You might not have considered the size of an envelope before, but you must have realised that there are many different sizes for a variety of different uses. A4 envelopes are perfect for documents whilst smaller envelopes are usually the perfect choice for greetings cards or invitations. Work out what size you require by considering how big the item is that you will be putting inside it. A top tip would be to not stuff the item in – choose a size that leaves a little space.

Design

decorated envelope
Are you looking for something plain or do you want something a little more elegant? A birthday party may not require something fancy but an envelope containing a wedding invitation definitely needs to have some style to it. Also you can get personalised envelopes – these are perfect for any special occasion as you can use the name or names of the people the celebration is in aid of. You can also get different patterns or materials to make the design that touch more unique. There are some fantastic designs out there where the envelope has been cut in a certain way to make a beautiful pattern that instantly captures the attention.

Theme

Cut envelopes
The design will often tie into the theme – envelopes with a cut pattern are often used for engagement or wedding invitation envelopes. However, the word theme covers many other bases too – I’ve previously bought a wonderful collection of travel envelopes for sending letters to loved ones whilst away and I have also seen nature-themed and book-themed envelopes in the past. Choose a theme that ties in with the occasion you are celebrating, and the envelopes will surely capture the recipient’s attention.

Colour

coloured envelopes

You might think that white and light brown are the only colours of envelopes to choose from, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Envelopes come in a wide variety of colours – from the understated pastel pinks and blues to the vibrant in your face intensity of magentas, lime greens and sunshine yellows. If you truly want to capture the attention of your recipients, a coloured envelope may just be the way to go.

Once you have considered all of the above, you should have an idea of the type of envelope you need for your special occasion. Remember that the envelope is the first impression someone will get of your occasion, so it needs to be the perfect choice.

With plenty of envelopes to choose from, it can be difficult to know what to pick. However, with this handy guide, you should find picking the perfect envelope for your special occasion a breeze.
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