The Christmas holidays have a habit of disappearing. Two weeks of good intentions, a few days of revision that never quite happen, and then it is January and the mocks are close.
It does not have to go that way. A short, well-planned burst of revision at the start of the break can change how a student feels about the term ahead. That is the thinking behind Collingham’s Christmas Revision courses in Kensington.
Why December is the right moment
By the end of the autumn term, students have covered a lot of ground. They have also built up a quiet list of things they did not quite understand the first time. Left alone, those gaps tend to widen. Dealt with in December, they usually close quickly.
Christmas revision is also an early, low-pressure start on the summer exams. It gives GCSE and A Level students the chance to consolidate the first term’s learning, sharpen their exam technique and sit down with a specialist who can tell them honestly where they stand. They return to school in January knowing what to work on, instead of hoping it will sort itself out.
What happens on a Christmas Revision course
The courses typically run at the beginning of the Christmas holidays, in mid to late December. The sessions are intensive and focused on one subject, designed to reinforce knowledge and introduce proper exam skills.
Each student chooses between two formats. The first is a full day of small-group tuition, from 9.30am to 4.30pm, with students grouped by subject and specification. The second is three hours of one-to-one tuition, either 9.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4.30pm, which is also what we offer if a group is not available for a particular subject.
Groups never exceed nine students, and the average is just three or four. At that size, nobody can hide at the back, and every question gets a proper answer.
Because the window is short, we concentrate on core subjects, mainly maths and science. Other subjects may be available, so it is always worth asking. Every student receives a report afterwards that sets out their progress and what to do next.
Who it is for
Christmas revision suits GCSE and A Level students, and it is open to current Collingham students and to students from other schools. It works well for anyone heading into mock exams, for students who finished the autumn term feeling unsure in maths or science, and for those planning to retake A Levels or GCSEs who want an early start.
How we teach
The teaching is the point. Our tutors are subject specialists who understand exam requirements closely, and they teach in small groups where the conversation comes before the answer. You can read more about our methods of teaching, and the same approach carries into every revision session.
Where it takes place
All revision courses are held at our Sixth Form building, 23 Collingham Gardens, London SW5 0HL, a short walk from Gloucester Road and Earls Court stations.
A first look at Easter
Christmas sessions also give students a first taste of our longer Easter Revision courses, which run over three weeks in the Easter holidays and go much deeper.
Booking a place
Places are limited, so early booking is strongly recommended. To reserve a place, or to talk through a bespoke revision programme, get in touch with our admissions team and leave an enquiry, or Call Admissions: 020 7244 1860.
