GCSE • AS • A2 • Re-sits
Tutoring & Revision Courses
Consolidate knowledge • Improve exam technique • Build confidence • Maximise grades
With over 350 tutors and 20 Course Directors, the team are too numerous to mention. However, here are a handful of people who help ensure our courses are excellent. Jeff Beatty
PhD, MSc (Oxon), BSc, CBiol, MSB, PGCE
Director of Courses / Biology Subject Leader Jeff has an MSc in Science Education and a PhD which focused on the use of multi-media learning programmes. Having worked at Berkhamsted and other independent schools and been a Principal Examiner for ten years, Jeff is now our Director of Courses and has overall responsibility for the Justin Craig curriculum.
Georgina Wainwright BA (Hons) PGCE
Business Studies Georgina is the Business Course Leader at St Bede’s Senior School in Hailsham, East Sussex. She is an AQA and Edexcel examiner and is midway through a Masters in Education Studies from the University of Sussex. Having owned and managed a hotel and restaurant, Georgina is perfectly placed to teach business theory and its application.
Layla Rajah
Paul Walker
BA (Hons), PGCE, PGC, PGDL
PhD, BSc, PGCE
Psychology & Sociology
Physics
Layla is Head of Department in a Cheshire based school and is currently studying for a PhD. She has worked for Justin Craig for over ten years and has a natural gift of combining fun and focus. Layla is an AQA examiner at both GCSE and A Level.
Paul read joint honours in Physics and Chemistry at the University of Nottingham before researching polymer science at Cambridge. An examiner for Edexcel, he is currently Head of Science at a Cambridge sixth form college. Paul has taught for Justin Craig for five years.
Geoff Smith
Katherine Sorrell
MA, BA (Hons), PGCE
M.Ed, LLB, GTP, AST
Mathematics
English Language / Literature
Geoff is an examiner for both AQA and Edexcel. He graduated from Auckland University and has worked with Justin Craig since 1990. He has a wealth of experience and has taught Maths at all levels, (including Oxbridge prep), in several independent schools and is now at Woldingham School, Surrey.
Katie is the Advanced Skills Teacher at Great Barr School in Birmingham, the second largest school in the UK. She has tutored for Justin Craig for five years and is an Examiner for both AQA and Edexcel. Katie loves working with motivated students, to achieve the best they can.
Amy Pearson
Alistair Hamilton
BSc (Hons) PGCE
Course Assistant
Chemistry Amy is Deputy Head of Science at a secondary school in Stevenage and an examiner at both GCSE and A-Level. Having taught for Justin Craig for four years she enjoys giving pupils the chance to consolidate knowledge and improve their grades.
Alistair is reading history at Cambridge and is in his second year. An ex Justin Craig student, he was Head Boy at Haileybury College. Alistair enjoys rugby, rowing, singing and playing the Clarinet and Piano. His career goal is to become a Diplomat in the Foreign Service.
Welcome
Some of our team‌
About us Method Subjects Courses Tutoring
Welcome to Justin Craig Education
Our tutors enjoy their work because they are teaching a small, highly motivated group of students with little bureaucracy. Teaching as it was meant to be! This gives you the magic of Justin Craig which 5000 students shared last year. This year we are offering year round group tutoring and revision courses. The goal of each and every one of them is to embed knowledge, broaden understanding and improve exam technique. This builds that most precious commodity – confidence. Students are then motivated and nothing can stop them. This is the way we ensure they are fully prepared and able to achieve their best on exam day.
FAQs
I’m incredibly proud of what we do at Justin Craig and the difference our courses make to students’ exam grades. Students excel on our courses because they enjoy the focus of a small group in a refreshing setting, with supportive fellow students they often don’t know.
Timetable
My name is Simon Williamson and I am the MD of Justin Craig Education. I have a BA (Hons) in Politics and Economic History from the University of York and part way through an MBA at Cranfield.
Centres
Where we aim to maximise EVERY student’s potential
So if the concept of group tutoring is new to you, everything you need to know is in the following pages. Best of luck
Simon Williamson
Call our advisors ON
0845 06 06 555
or visit
www.justincraig.ac.uk 3
Why choose Justin Craig?
ABOUT US
Exam success – it’s our favourite subject Justin Craig has been pioneering group tutoring and revision since 1981 and has helped over 100,000 UK students secure their university place. As the UK’s leading exam improvement provider with 20 centres nationwide, we take our job seriously and aim to provide an excellent tuition experience for every single student. Our courses keep students focused and calm whilst giving them the confidence and knowledge they need to tackle any examination scenario. They are structured, stimulating and fun!
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What We Do
Benefits for student
The Justin Craig annual curriculum is designed to fulfil all of your child’s learning and revision needs. Every course combines the strengths of personal tuition and group work and is tailor-made to incorporate individual students’ needs.
Students gain an impressive depth of understanding, helping them to get to grips with tricky areas of a subject and explore their knowledge through group discussion. All our courses will help with:
Tuition – our one day courses are a six hour productive day, providing fuller, early understanding of subject matter. Early understanding and confidence of a subject equals enjoyment. Revision – our three day revision courses provide 18 hours of structured tuition, providing thorough exam preparation during key holiday periods. Pre exam preparation – six hours of tuition in one day, (on the weekend before the exam) to complete your child’s revision programme and ensure they are fully prepared.
Knowledge consolidation Our tutors are skilled at establishing what your child knows and needs, building upon their subject knowledge and closing the gaps. Exam technique Tutors demonstrate strategies to achieve maximum marks by explaining how to interpret questions, identify key command words and formulate appropriate responses. Revision technique Courses start with the basics – including how to manage overload and anxiety. Revision timetables, flow charts and Q&A techniques are then covered in the context of specific subject matter, learning and revision style approaches.
STUDENT Notes ll Proven success boosting grades ll Small class size (max 8) ll Course content tailor-made to student needs ll Friendly, experienced tutors ll 20 Convenient UK-wide locations
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Build confidence Although every revision course offers pace and challenge, we are sensitive to individual student needs and plan sessions accordingly. All our tutors aim to develop the confidence and skills needed to tackle any examination scenario. Result Best grades possible
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“ Brilliant course, great atmosphere and outstanding tuition. Achieved grade A in Geography and B in Maths.� Charlie Garner, 16
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How our courses work
Method
Course content to suit individual student needs
• Student-led Prior to the course, students communicate the areas in which they require particular help, guidance or practice. This enables the tutor to incorporate the individual’s needs into group discussion.
At Justin Craig we enable you and your child to take control of their learning process and alleviate the anxiety that comes with exam preparation. Our courses are different from one-to-one tuition because we know students learn and revise best when focused, stimulated and supported.
• Friendly, expert tutors 97% are in mainstream education and many are examiners. Tutors are carefully selected for their experience, enthusiasm, rapport and subject knowledge.
Our approach Now you know what we do and the benefits for the student, here is a little about how we do it: • Small class sizes (max 8) Offering mutual peer group support to enable better subject understanding and high quality tutor interaction. This approach supports individual differences and learning styles.
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• Exam boards Our courses cover all major exam boards and are either exam board specific or topic focused. Tutors will provide specific guidance relating to relevant exam boards. • Neutral, stimulating environment A different teacher with a fresh approach provides a new perspective and enables students to cover ground that they may have missed or not properly understood.
• Freedom from distraction Daily life is busy and effective revision requires total concentration. Our courses provide a focused environment away from chat rooms, mobile phones, computer games, tv and friends.
“ We were delighted with the course, it allowed Michael to get to grips with the essential subject matter and secure the grade he needed for university.” Philippa Pritchard, Parent
Sample Course Schedules Course Structure
FOR Residential Courses*
It is extremely difficult to generalise as course content is tailored to fulfil every student’s individual needs and is therefore unique. However the general structure of a three day course is as follows:
• Day One: the tutor starts the course with a topic highlighted by all the students, gleaning each student’s preferred learning style, filling knowledge gaps and building understanding. They are then split into appropriate groups according to specific needs and ability and taught appropriately.
• Day Two: the tutor and students work together; the tutor continues to build understanding, students complete exam style questions and receive guidance on how to answer in a way that maximises marks. Simply knowing the subject matter is not enough, learning how to apply it is key. Usually by the end of day two, students experience that ‘eureka, I get this subject’ moment. • Day Three: continuation of previous days but ensuring all areas requested are covered or revisited to embed understanding and exam technique. The tutor focuses on confidence building, coaxing students to take more responsibility for their learning. Students are encouraged to formulate a post course plan enabling them to continue on a path of self learning and revision right through to the exam.
Final Preparation
8.45am – 12.45pm
Morning lesson (with break)
Lunch
1.45pm – 6.00pm
Afternoon lesson (with break)
Dinner 7.00pm – 8.30pm Evening lesson
Relaxation/DVD/Social/Sport * Registration on Day 1 starts at 12.00pm Courses finish at 12.45pm on Day 3
FOR Day Courses
9.30am – 11.00am
Morning lesson
11.15am– 12.45pm
Morning lesson
Lunch
1.45pm – 3.15pm
Afternoon lesson
3.30pm – 5.00pm
Afternoon lesson
Why is revision so hard?
How can Justin Craig Help?
• Difficult to revise alone
• Enthusiastic, experienced
– no help at hand
teachers
• Loss of motivation due to lack of progress
• Small informal tutorial groups (max 8)
• No regular or formal timetable to follow
• Ideal working conditions and environment
• Too many interruptions and diversions
• One-to-one support when students need it
• Requires total self-discipline – tricky even for motivated students
• Bags of encouragement – just what’s required at this crucial time
Our One Day Pre-Exam courses are designed to ensure students continue to revise and benefit from a short term memory boost. This is particularly useful for students taking several exams at a particular time as it enables them to structure their short term revision and clearly focus on each subject at the best time. Throughout the course, tutors demonstrate strategies to achieve maximum exam marks by explaining how to interpret questions, identify key command words and formulate appropriate responses. 7
What You CAN STUDY
SUBJECTS
AS/A2 courses Given the depth of knowledge and additional concentration required at A level, students study a single subject throughout the course.
Biology Business Studies Chemistry Classical Civilisation Drama Economics English Language English Literature French Geography German Government and Politics 8
History Law Mathematics Music Physics Physical Education/ Sports Studies Philosophy Philosophy and Ethics Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Spanish
STUDENT Notes ll A one day GCSE, AS or A2 course offers 6 hrs of study on ONE subject ll AS and A2 three day courses offer 18 hrs of study over THREE days on ONE subject ll GCSE three day courses offer 18 hrs of study over THREE days on TWO subjects
A GREAT range of subjects
AS and A2 (including re-sits) AS exams are a big step up – both in terms of their difficulty immediately post-GCSE, and also in their importance, as predicted A2 grades are based on AS results. Securing good AS scores is therefore vital for higher education plans.
GCSE/IGCSE With so many subjects now taught at GCSE / IGCSE and huge volumes of information to learn, it can seem difficult to know where to start. If this is the first set of formal exams, things can be overwhelming. Inevitably, many students tend to focus on the subjects they are good at, rather than those for which they need most support. Our revision advisers are only a phone call away and are there to help you explore the best subject options. They are highly experienced and can assist you in identifying the right programme to boost your child’s understanding of exam and memory techniques, as well as help them learn how to condense information, build confidence, focus and motivation.
GCSE subjects Studying two subjects each day keeps students fresh, provides a new set of peers and enables students at this level to concentrate longer.
Biology Additional Biology Triple Chemistry Additional Chemistry Triple English Language English Literature French Geography History Mathematics Physics Additional Physics Triple Spanish
% 94 s of student
d, or as g oo t u t ir e h t rate d or amaz ing exce lle nt
A2 is ‘the big one’ – with no room for error. Students joining us for A2 revision courses benefit from ensuring there are no nasty surprises, as well as learning how to maintain focus during a particularly nervy time. Many parents see booking a course as a practical way of assisting their child as they feel powerless to help with most subjects at this level. AS/A2 courses are also ideal for re-sits if an exam hasn’t gone as well as expected. With schools rarely able to provide the direct support necessary for focused re-sit revision alongside new module teaching, our courses are a great way of ensuring quality re-sit preparation. Around half of our students are studying at AS/A2 level and, as young adults, are treated as such. Our tutors have considerable experience of the challenges they face and will know how best to support and encourage your son or daughter.
“ The classmates were cool and the teaching was class.” Sam Ashby, 15
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When You CAN STUDY
COURSES
“ The course covered exactly what I needed rather than absolutely everything. Tutors were extremely knowledgeable and engaging. I found the whole experience enjoyable as well as extremely helpful. My history grade went from an E to an A.” Faiza Bishi, 18
Year-round courses targeting exam-time peaks Christmas Revision
Easter Revision
The festive season brims with tradition – including that of the timehonoured GCSE mocks and AS/A2 January exams that follow. By taking just a few stimulating days out with Justin Craig, students can catch up on their work and return refreshed and fully prepared for the exams that lie ahead.
This is the longest break and most important time in every student’s calendar. Now is the critical moment to plan, prepare and address any concerns, leaving sufficient time to fine-tune revision skills for exams that are just around the corner.
Why take a Christmas course? • Work gets done and the Christmas holidays don’t just slip by • Important exams are just round the corner • Great winter results boost confidence for summer term and reduce need for re-sits • Perfect prep for improving grades in modules and re-sits • Fuller and early understanding of a subject
Why take an Easter course? • In-depth revision secures deeper subject understanding – especially effective for weaker subjects • Timely intervention and breaks up solo revision with a more structured approach, avoiding the need for pressurised last-minute cramming • Supportive, small group revision/ discussion is more effective than home revision • Time to plan targeted revision around the published exam schedule
• Great foundation for revision management later in the year
May Revision Now that your child’s exams are just about to start, a revision course over the May Day Weekend and May Half Term can make a vital difference to final grades – consolidating understanding and strengthening recall, whilst helping them remain calm and focused. In fact it’s astonishing what a few days ‘top up’ can do for the performance of most students, no matter how methodical and detailed their revision may have been earlier in the year.
Why take a May course? • Keeps students calm and focused at this ‘last gasp’ moment • Re-energises and motivates thereby maintaining revision momentum • Provides a final chance to revise and improve overall grades during exams • Boosts learning through group discussion
Call our advisors ON
0845 06 06 555
or visit
www.justincraig.ac.uk 11
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One-day focused tuition
TUTORING
One-day focused tuition Our one-day GCSE and A level courses help students gain a better understanding of their subject matter and prepare for upcoming modular exams. These offer sixhours of learning led by an expert tutor, in a stimulating environment.
Why group REVISION? • Right level of intensity – group tutoring courses are an excellent way to cover key subject knowledge in a single, productive day. They give students an impressive depth of understanding, helping them to get to grips with tricky areas of a subject and explore their knowledge through group discussion. • Learn from and with their peers – tutor-led discussion allow students to test knowledge on each other and encourage them to justify their reasoning. Developing and sharing ideas is a crucial part of learning. • Sessions are tailor-made – students experience a range of learning styles, so they can find one that suits them. These include visual and interpersonal learning, or learning by doing (kinaesthetic learning).
Course details We offer single-day courses for a number of GCSE and AS subjects across a variety of centres and dates.
Course structure
ll 9.30am – 5pm ll Four one-and-a-half hour sessions Teaching styles Depends on student requirements, but can include:
ll Games, puzzles, role play and physical activities ll Visual techniques, mind maps, diagrams and models ll Q&A sessions for each topic ll Presentations, group discussions and handouts
Typical GCSE course content Each course shown will include the areas listed. Students will be given the chance to ask which other areas they need help with.
• Focus on efficient learning – each course includes six hours of learning, plus breaks. With enough time to develop understanding, ask questions and consolidate key points, it’s worth weeks of unsupported revision and will assist with structuring work right through to the exam.
Maths
• Do more than memorise facts – our tutors get under the skin of topics to ensure students understand the underlying concepts. This improves their confidence and gets them ready for the trickiest exam questions.
• • • •
Group tutoring sessions give students a clear understanding of each subject as a whole, by showing them the links between different concepts and ideas. They leave with the confidence to ask questions that get to the heart of what they need to know – and provide a solid platform for further independent study.
• Disease – from infectious to genetic • Homeostasis – human response to change • Genetics – including inheritance, hormones and evolution • Plant biology – nutrient recycling and energy transfer in nature
• • • •
Statistics, probabilities, fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios The language of algebra Sequences, functions and graphs Geometry and measures, or circle theorems
English Writing styles (triplets) Language analysis Fiction and poetry Non-fiction
Biology
Call our advisors ON
0845 06 06 555
One D (six h ay Cours eS rs of tuitio n)
£99 i ntro
duct ory p
r icE
or visit
www.justincraig.ac.uk 13
Where courses are held
CENTRES
Convenient day and residential centres UK-wide
All day courses run from 9.30am to 5pm, with regular breaks throughout the day. To minimise costs we invite students to bring lunch, snacks and drinks.
Fresh, new surroundings work wonders for focusing your child’s learning and revision. We select school centres that offer a lively, energetic, vibrant and inclusive environment conducive to student success. We also ensure they are easy to reach via nearby motorways and handy train links.
Residential students enjoy a rewarding experience on a full-board basis in excellent and inspiring surroundings. Non-residential students attending residential courses also enjoy the chance to relax and socialise over lunch and dinner.
Day centres Surbiton High School is a typical example of the high quality day course environment you can expect. Complete with light, airy classrooms and excellent facilities, it’s the perfect setting for focused, effective learning. 14
Residential centres
Licensed Victuallers’ School, on the edge of Windsor Great Park at Ascot, with its modern, well equipped teaching facilities and comfortable accommodation, typifies the high quality centres we use for Justin Craig residential courses. Student relaxation is especially
important after an eight-hour study day and we consider the accommodation ideal in terms of student comfort. Students have their own accommodation, with every house supervised by a resident house teacher. All schools have central heating and ample hot water, and supply students with bedding (except Reading School). We do, though, ask students to bring their own towels, snacks, fruit and a small amount of money.
MEDICAL MATTERS When it comes to looking after our students, we like to be as prepared as possible. So it is essential you give us advance notice of any allergies or special dietary requirements.
STUDENT Notes ll Inclusive, welcoming environment ll 20 UK-wide venues that are easy to reach ll Day and residential options available ll Comfortable and sociable accommodation
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“ Justin Craig Education are the exam experts! As a Geography tutor it’s exceptionally rewarding to nurture students, giving them skills and understanding to tackle their examinations with confidence. As a Course Director, what strikes me is the care taken by Justin Craig to select the very best, most enthusiastic tutors.” Chris Critchlow – Course Director
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Your questions answered
FAQs
Q: Are the courses exam board specific?
Q: £395 is a lot of money. How do I know it will be well spent?
A: All our tutors are experienced GCSE and A level teachers and 97% are currently in mainstream education. They are chosen via a rigorous recruitment process for their experience, empathy, subject knowledge and engaging personality.
A: Our courses enable tutors to satisfy student needs by minimising variety in the classroom. We do so either through reducing class sizes where courses are topic led or by reducing the number of examination boards represented by the student body in a class.
A: We think our track record speaks for itself – with 9 out of 10 students saying our approach helped them to focus revision more effectively. Most of our students come to us on recommendation from other parents. Ask around to find out their views.
Q: What’s the maximum class size?
Q: How will my child be made to feel welcome?
A: A Justin Craig class is never larger than eight students and rarely smaller than three. This allows for an effective balance of small group discussion, one-to-one attention and independent learning/exam practice.
A: Our experienced tutors build confidence by creating a supportive, friendly atmosphere from the word ‘go’. Students enjoy the chance to meet new people in a different environment and view exam revision from a fresh angle. Although busy and focused, our courses offer students the opportunity to socialise over breaks and mealtimes.
Q: Who are the Justin Craig tutors and what criteria do they have to meet?
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Q: What else does Justin Craig Education do? A: Nothing! We focus solely on providing a high quality group tutoring and revision experience for every one of our students – just as we have done since our launch 30 years ago.
“ As an independent school we were somewhat reluctant to recommend such courses to our parents and pupils initially, but we have measured the grades of those who attended and there have been clear improvements. Therefore we are now convinced of the benefits of such courses for our students.” Ian Mullins, Director of Education, The Licensed Victualler’s School, Ascot
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Advantages of planning ahead Planning ahead not only helps your child get the most from their Justin Craig course, it makes financial sense too. When you book a three day Easter or May course before 31st Jan 2012, you can guarantee your place for as little as £99 deposit per course – this allows you to secure your place and spread your payments.
Multiple course savings that include siblings As a thank you, we offer a saving of £50 and £100 off the second and third courses respectively if booked at the same time. This enables us to plan our courses well in advance.
Flexible booking supplement As we understand your needs may change, for only an extra £10 per course we offer you the flexibility to amend your subject, centre or course date within the same school year up to two times.
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Prices, dates, locations
TIMETABLE
“ I achieved a C in Psychology
but an A in the paper I revised with you plus an A in English Literature. Thank you.”
Joseph Greaves, 17
Plan ahead for best results Choosing the most appropriate time to take a Justin Craig course – and the right subjects – really does pay dividends. It’s usually best to focus on borderline subjects first, followed by weakest subjects allowing plenty of time to cover additional subjects in order of priority.
Early birds have more choice Courses book up quickly on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. To ensure the widest choice of centre and subjects, please plan and book as early in the school year as possible.
Day Centres
Buckinghamshire Beaconsfield: Beaconsfield High School Milton Keynes: Shenley Brook End School
Essex Brentwood: St Martin’s School
Hertfordshire Harpenden: Sir John Lawes School St Albans: Verulam School Watford: Watford Grammar School for Girls
London Harley Street: Queen’s College Victoria: Westminster City School Wimbledon: King’s College School
Surrey Croydon: Old Palace of John Whitgift Guildford: Guildford County School Surbiton: Surbiton High School
seS r u o C y One Da f tuition) so (six hr
9 9 £ intr
ice ory pr oduct
Sutton: Sutton High School
Residential Centres (R) Berkshire Ascot: Licensed Victuallers’ School Reading: Reading School
Hertfordshire Bishop’s Stortford: Hockerill Anglo European College Rickmansworth: Royal Masonic
Kent Chislehurst: Farringtons School Pembury: Kent College
North Yorkshire Harrogate: Ashville College 18
* non-residential courses only at this time
Course Prices GCSE / AS / A2 Three Day Course
Three Days (Day Student) at Residential Centre*
Three Days at Residential Centre**
1st Course
£395
£425
£475
2nd Course
£345
£375
£425
3rd+ Courses
£295
£325
£375
* Includes meals ** Includes meals and accommodation NB: Multiple module discount applies to courses booked at the same time.
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Call our advisors ON
0845 06 06 555
or visit
www.justincraig.ac.uk Tyttenhanger House, Coursers Road, St Albans, Herts, AL4 0PG