Gordonstoun School – Active Revision

For many young people, GCSE and A-level exams are now on the horizon. The latest scientific research on brain function is revealing interesting insights into how we learn and, more importantly for this group of students, how we can retain more information. Specialists at Gordonstoun, which educated three generations of the royal family, say regular periods of exercise can help you achieve success. Each year the independent boarding school runs a unique one week ‘Active Revision Course’ which focuses on both body and mind in order to boost performance.

‘We know from neuroscience that exercise speeds up brain functioning,’ says course leader Kate Gibson. ‘If you’ve been out for a run, your reading speed and comprehension goes up by 20%. So you have to attack revision from all angles and make sure that your whole body contributes. A healthy body and mind which is well rested, well fed and fit can support your brain through the tough times ahead much better than one which is exhausted and lacking in nutrients.’

Kate and her team have applied this new understanding of the effects of physical activity into the Active Revision course, which now incorporates yoga, a climbing wall, hillwalking and even bushcraft. Sixty percent of students who take the course achieve two grades higher than their mock exams, with the remainder achieving one grade higher. Parents also comment on an improvement in the general wellbeing of their children. The course covers English, Maths and Science and is open to anyone.

CONTACT

Gordonstoun’s Active Revision course runs from 4-10 April. activerevision.org.uk