Featherstone Technology College

Help you Child

The Campaign for Learning found that parental support is eight times more important in determining a child’s academic success than other factors. But, parents often feel they don’t know how best to help their children at Key Stage 4, or in Years 10 and 11.

This section endeavours to give you some top tips to help guide your child through this crucial part of their school career. Support from home, your interest and encouragement can make all the difference, keeping your child focused, motivated and organised. Believe it or not, you do not need to be a specialist in each subject to give your child the help and support they need.

Coursework - Top Tips

Many GCSE (or Key Stage 4) courses include coursework. How can parents help?

• The most important role of parents is to encourage and praise your child, take an active interest in their school work.
• Allow a balance between their work and a social life.
• Help your child prioritise his/her homework and coursework, especially if s/he is not very well-organised. Put deadlines on a calendar and check your child’s planner.
• Use the 80/20 rule: if your child does the work most of the time (80%) that’s usually okay.
• Help to put things in perspective if your child begins to struggle or becomes ‘stressed’. If necessary, contact the college for help.
• Provide a suitable work space.
• Encourage your child to use the internet as a resource, as long as they don’t get sidetracked on games and MSN!

Revision - Top Tips

• Ensure your child has a suitable place to revise. If music helps, then it’s not a problem. However, television can sometimes be a distraction.
• Support your child by ensuring s/he has the required resources – books, notes, revision guides, internet revision sites, equipment such as calculators, pens, pencils etc.
• Help your child plan a revision timetable.
• Build in regular breaks and treats.
• Provide ‘brain food’ – healthy snacks, little and often, avoiding sugary products. Also keep your child hydrated, providing frequent drinks – water is best.
• Encourage and praise your child when s/he is doing well. Teenagers have many other interests they may see as more important than revision, such as a social life with their friends, fashion, hobbies and romantic interests. A sensible balance is the ideal.

• Show an interest in revision and try not to ‘nag’!

Link with College

If you regularly attend Parents’ Evenings and events, links can be built between your home and the college. After all, we are all working toward the same goal – your child’s success. Together, we can make the difference!