Half term week saw Islwyn High School offer a full series of events designed to ensure that all students in Year 11 are given every opportunity to prepare themselves properly for a return to formal examinations this summer.

Teaching and support Staff, SLT and external providers all went the ‘extra mile’ in putting on sessions focussed on exam preparation, revision techniques, resilience and skills development and subject specific focus groups were put on in English. Maths and Science to provide students with opportunities to catch up in areas that had been affected by the impact of the pandemic.

The school was open between 8.30 and 1pm every day, transport was provided for those students who rely on it to get to school and there was even the incentive of a Domino’s lunch as a reward for a morning of commitment.

Some of the sessions were delivered in the school examination hall in an effort refamiliarise pupils with a venue to which they may not have had access to for more than two years and where they need to feel as comfortable as possible this summer! Many students displayed a fantastic commitment and attended for every single session (and were rewarded with postcards home from the headteacher) and over 150 students attended in total during the course of the week.

Head Boy Noah Williams said: “It was a really good week. It focussed me on techniques for exam revision, allowed me to get extra help from my teachers in subjects that I am finding challenging and the pizza was great too!”

The school would like to thank all of the staff who supported the fantastic provision and the parents who were able work with the school in ensuring high levels of attendance and is confident that Islwyn pupils will be well prepared for their return to formal examination venues in the summer; they will be the first year group to do so for three years!