Paul runs revision sessions for GCSE Computer Science in schools.

Revision sessions can be tailored to the needs of a school. This document provides an outline of what would be covered in a typical revision session. The focus is on examination technique as this can improve students’ grades significantly. Many students, even the most able ones, can find themselves achieving lower grades than expected because they don’t know what an examiner is looking for in their answer. Developing and practising examination techniques helps students to ‘get into the mind’ of the examiner.

Examination technique covered includes:

  • Answering questions in context using examples
  • How to enhance answers with examples
  • Structuring answers to higher mark questions
  • Checking the question asked has been answered
  • Showing stages of working when performing calculations or showing stages of a method (e.g. compression using RLE, stages of a bubble sort, stages of a binary search)
  • Completing trace tables successfully
  • Creating effective flowcharts
  • Writing effective pseudo-code
  • Using diagrams appropriately
  • Responding to command words (eg suggest, describe, explain, define, state, discuss, outline)
  • Responding to key words (eg reasons, advantages, implications, purpose, differences, impact)

Special revision sessions for Edexcel’s Paper 2 (Programming) are also available using a combination of walking-talking mock style and students answering exam questions.

Revision sessions can also include topic revision based on the needs of students in a school or class (eg logic circuits, network protocols). However, the topics are usually covered within the examination technique aspect.

Paul delivered a fantastic revision session, looking in detail at the way the students can maximise their marks in the exams. He was really good with the students, making the session engaging and accessible for a range of abilities. It was fantastic CPD for us as well. We shall be booking the session again for next year!

Dave Smedley
Bedford High School, Wigan

I just want to thank you for the work you did with our students yesterday. They have all said how much they got out of the sessions and definitely recommend you for next year.

Lisa Coakley
Assistant headteacher, Clapton Girls' School

Would like to thank the mighty @paullongnet for his exam tutorial a while back. Has really helped me with today’s exam.

George Brimble
Student

Thanks very much for your revision session, it was just what they needed and many now have a good insight into the exam. I will certainly do it again.

Chris Fairburn
Head of ICT, Hill House School

Our girls were all really positive about your visit and felt your time and input had helped them significantly.  It would be great if you could help us again next year.

Elly Blake
Lead Professional ICT and Mathematics, Lordswood Girls' School

Thank you so much for coming in on Tuesday and working with my students.  The students got a lot out of the day, and have fed back how useful they had found it.

Victoria Wickington
Lecturer, Nelson and Colne College

I cannot thank you enough for last Friday. I have had some great feedback from the students and the members of SLT who visited were so impressed that they have said they would even consider getting you in for a day with the year 10’s this year and next.

Claire Chilton
Head of Computer Science, Longsands Academy

Many thanks for the session that you did with very short notice. I had the students for a double on the following day and there was great feedback – they feel they have the potential to do a lot better in their real exams and have started to take their revision more seriously.

Angela Power
Head of Computer Science, Holy Trinity Academy

Fantastic full day of revision by Paul. The session was well structured and covered an array of concepts. In addition, Paul supported all 9-1 students in developing their exam technique. Great CPD for teachers also.

Joanne Shuttleworth
Computing and Technical Lead, South Shore Acaemy

The day is student centered and they will have a lot of opportunity to answer questions and receive feedback. The best time of year to book a revision session is during March and early May. This is when students have developed enough knowledge that they are able to answer questions related to Computer Science knowledge, but also at a time when they have enough time remaining to practise the techniques they have learned before the exam. April dates are very popular and so early booking is advisable.

Revision sessions can be delivered in a full day (5 hours student contact) or half day (2.5 hours student contact). The cost for a full day revision session is £640 +VAT. The cost for half a day is £420 +VAT. A quote can also be provided for a different number of hours or for two consecutive days. All resources used on the day, plus any others that are part of the revision material pack, are included within the cost for use with your current year 11 group. To keep costs low, schools are asked to print and copy the materials required for the revision session.

A full day revision session offers best value for money and ensures there is sufficient time for students to try out techniques and receive feedback. Half day revision sessions can’t cover all the exam technique listed above due to time.

Travel and accommodation are usually included within the total cost, although please do ask for a personalised quotation if your school is in a remote location not easily accessible by public transport (eg Cornwall, Channel Islands, Northern Ireland). For schools inside the M25, there may be an additional charge of £50 to cover increased accommodation costs, although this will be waived if costs are not as high as expected. Discounts can be negotiated for schools in the Midlands area where travel and accommodation are not necessary.

If you have a small number of students which makes it difficult to cover the cost, then you may wish to join in with another local school. You are welcome to do this for up to a total of 45 students.

To book your revision session or to find out more, please contact info@gcsecs.org. Please leave your phone number if you would like to discuss by phone.