The Marlborough Ambition Programme

The Marlborough Ambition Programme (MAP): The road MAP to success in Year 11

“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.” Aristotle

Year 11 represents the final stage of the journey towards GCSEs at The Marlborough School. It is an important year for all our young people, and so we have thought carefully about how we can best prepare all our pupils to be able to: be taught and assessed in a way that helps them to remember more and be able to do more; manage their time and their workload really effectively; and to be able to achieve their very best outcomes and destinations.

We believe it is vital to engage and support parents and families in this journey – and this is why we are introducing you to MAP: The Marlborough Ambition Programme. The Marlborough Ambition Programme reflects the overall vision of The Marlborough School, in that we are uncompromising in our ambition to achieve the highest possible grades, whilst making sure every pupil is looked after and cared for. It is how, in a very practical way, we live out our school values of ambition and perseverance. 

Of course, all pupils have been preparing for Year 11 for the past four years. Our carefully planned, inclusive, ambitious and knowledge-rich curriculum, the highest standards of classroom behaviour (described in our Commitment to Excellence learning behaviours) and the consistent application of our Teaching and Learning Framework (TLF) mean that all pupils are really well-placed when they start Year 11 in September. 

They have also completed their first set of Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs) in July, giving them valuable experience of performing under examination conditions. Of course, this important stepping stone on the journey to GCSEs gives pupils, parents and teachers key information about where pupils are up to in their acquisition of key knowledge and their ability to apply this in exam situations.  

Following the PPEs our Heads of Subject, known as Curriculum Leaders, have worked with teachers to diagnose areas of the curriculum that need re-visiting or re-teaching. The PPEs also allowed us to look at groups of pupils who may need additional support, particularly in English and Maths.

The MAP has a number of key elements. These have been drawn from our experience at Marlborough, where Year 11 GCSE performance has improved year upon year since 2018. We have also visited a number of schools, across River Learning Trust and further afield, to find the approaches and systems that work best and have the highest impact. MAP has the following principles at its heart: 

We intentionally disrupt the forgetting curve, securing learning in long term memory by revisiting key content through re-teaching, DNAs, Homework, Assessments and PPEs.
 

The overall message of the MAP is simple: trust the process. This has been hugely successful in the past and will continue to be so. Come to school every day. Work really hard in lessons. Do your homework. We are all in this together. 

Helping them navigate the MAP: Supporting your child

Parents know their child best and can give them the support they need to complete their work and support their wellbeing.  During term time, this means ensuring that they attend school every day and that they complete their homework.  Websites such as this NHS one https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/ can help in determining if your child is well enough to come to school.  

To help your child to complete their homework, the following will help:

• ask them regularly through the week to show you what homework they have - this can be found in Classcharts, which all students and parents have access to;

• ask them when they will complete this and encourage them to do so before they embark on other activities;

• ensure that they do the work in an appropriate place; at a table or desk, away from distractions, including their mobile phone;

• encourage them to take care and pride in their work, allocating sufficient time to do it properly;

• If they get stuck, remind them to look in their book/teacher resources for models and explanations of tasks; they can also check with friends or message their teacher on classcharts  (it is always best to attempt homework early to allow time for teachers to respond to any ).

During the examination period 

Whilst students will find the expertise that they gain during this period confidence boosting, revision and exam periods can be a stressful time for students.  The following are suggestions for parents helping their child to get the right balance between doing the work and maintaining their wellbeing. Of course, keeping on top of the work is one way to maintain wellbeing!

• Encourage them to be prepared, creating a revision plan, making sure they have resources,  so that they feel in control 

• Encourage healthy eating and regular meals;

• Encourage regular exercise and fresh air;

• Encourage clear routines around work and sleep;

• Encourage routines around phones and screens;

• Support with quizzing/talk about their knowledge organisers with them …if they want to!

• Remind them that their Pre-Public Examinations are part of a process to help them to develop their work.

• Be mindful of over-working and encourage them to take breaks and do other activities in the day

• Encourage them to talk to you about how they are feeling 

Useful websites

https://www.mind.org.uk/for-young-people/feelings-and-experiences/exam-stress/

https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/resources/for-schools/helpful-resources-for-young-peoples-mental-health.pdf

Contact details

Ms Lindsey Alexander - Deputy Headteacher

Mr Stephen Wallace - Head of Year 8

Ms Sharon Whittakker - Careers Lead

An outline of revision strategies by subject and key dates for Year 11 follow on the next few pages

The Marlborough School

Year 11 PPE Revision November 2023

Revision Principles:

• Homework is revision. Your priority is to complete your homework. 

• If you have finished all your homework, do the things listed below. 

• If you are confident that you know most of the content, then you should do past paper questions. Your teachers tell you where to find them and how to use them.

Key Dates and Events for Year 11 2024-2025