We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Shane Morris, who has passed his GCSE resit with a fantastic Grade 5.
After receiving a Grade 3 in August 2024, Shane worked tirelessly over the last three months to improve and his results truly reflect his determination and effort:
- Paper 1: 95%
- Paper 2: 75%
- Paper 3: 78%
- OVERALL - 83%
This significant progress is a testament not only to Shane’s hard work but also to the unwavering support he received from staff. A special thank you goes to Matthew Okolo, whose guidance and encouragement played a key role in Shane’s success.
Thank you to all the staff who supported Shane on this journey your dedication to helping students achieve their best is deeply appreciated.
Well done, Shane, on this incredible achievement! You have shown that perseverance and support can lead to amazing results. We are so proud of you!
Matthew Okolo is a Mathematics Instructor at Home Tree School. Below are some of the strategies he used to support Shane:
1. Personalised Learning Plan
- Assessment of Shane’s Strengths and Weaknesses: Started by identifying Shane’s key gaps in knowledge and focused on those areas.
- Setting clear goals: Creating a roadmap with achievable targets leading to a Grade 5.
2. Effective Teaching Strategies
- Breaking Down Complex Concepts: Simplifying challenging topics and ensuring Shane grasped foundational skills.
- Visual and Practical Methods: Using diagrams, real-world examples to make abstract concepts more accessible.
- Regular Feedback: Providing constructive feedback on practice questions and tests to refine Shane’s skills.
3. Structured Practice
- Regular Practice Sessions: Encouraging Shane to practice exam-style questions under timed conditions.
- Focus on Past Papers: Familiarizing Shane with the format and expectations of GCSE Maths exams.
- Targeted Revision: Prioritizing topics that frequently appear in the exam and carry significant marks.
4. Building Confidence
- Celebrating small wins: Acknowledging improvements to keep Shane motivated.
- Growth mindset encouragement: Reassuring Shane that improvement is possible with effort and persistence.
5. Support Systems
- One-to-One Tutoring: Providing individualised attention to clarify doubts.
6. Use of Technology
- Online Resources: Recommending apps, videos, or platforms like MathsGenie to reinforce learning.
- Interactive Tools: Using software and games to make learning engaging.
7. Exam Strategies
- Time Management: Teaching Shane how to allocate time effectively during exams.
- Answering Techniques: Helping Shane understand how to maximize marks by showing working and checking answers.
8. Parental Involvement
- Encouraging communication between Shane’s parents and school to ensure consistent support at home.
These approaches, tailored to Shane’s needs, could have significantly contributed to his achievement of a Grade 5.