Exam season can be stressful, not just for students but for parents too. While children face the pressure of performing well, parents often wonder how best to support them without adding extra stress. The good news is that with the right balance of encouragement, structure, and care, you can help your child feel confident and prepared for their exams. Read on for some advice from a sixth form college in London.

Understanding the Role of Parents

Supporting your child through exam revision doesn’t mean doing the work for them. Instead, it’s about creating the right environment, encouraging healthy habits, and helping them manage their time and emotions. With a thoughtful approach, you can reduce pressure and make revision more effective.

Practical Ways to Support Your Child

1. Help Them Create a Realistic Revision Plan

Work with your child to break down their subjects into manageable chunks. A timetable that balances study with rest helps avoid cramming and burnout. Encourage them to set specific goals, such as revising one topic at a time, instead of vague aims like “study maths.”

2. Provide a Positive Study Environment

A quiet, organised, and distraction-free space can make all the difference. Make sure your child has everything they need—stationery, notes, and resources—so they can focus without unnecessary interruptions.

3. Encourage Regular Breaks

Research shows that short, focused bursts of revision are far more effective than long hours without rest. Suggest techniques like the “Pomodoro method” (25 minutes study, 5 minutes break) to help maintain focus and motivation.

4. Support Healthy Habits

Good nutrition, regular exercise, and enough sleep are just as important as revision. Encourage your child to eat balanced meals, take walks or play sport, and maintain a consistent bedtime routine. A healthy body supports a healthy mind.

5. Provide Encouragement, Not Pressure

Reassure your child that exams don’t define their worth. Praise their effort rather than only results, and remind them that it’s normal to feel nervous. A calm, positive attitude from you will help reduce their stress.

6. Use Different Revision Techniques

Not all children learn in the same way. Flashcards, mind maps, practice papers, and teaching material back to you can all be effective. Encourage your child to experiment and find the methods that work best for them.

Looking After Emotional Well-being

Exam pressure can affect mood and confidence. Be available to listen if your child wants to talk, and look out for signs of stress or anxiety. Sometimes, simply knowing they have your support can make a huge difference. If anxiety seems overwhelming, consider speaking to their school for additional support.

Supporting your child with exam revision is about balance—helping them stay organised and motivated while ensuring they also rest, eat well, and feel encouraged. Exams are a challenge, but with the right support, children can approach them with resilience and confidence. Remember, your calm reassurance and belief in them is one of the most powerful tools you can provide.

 In an age where keyboards and touchscreens dominate daily life, handwriting may feel less essential than it once was. Yet, handwriting remains a fundamental skill for children, not only for academic success but also for supporting creativity, memory, and fine motor development. Many parents wonder how they can best support their child’s handwriting journey. The good news is that with patience, encouragement, and the right strategies, you can make a real difference. Read on for some guidance from an independent prep school in North London.

Why Handwriting Matters

Handwriting is more than putting pen to paper. It strengthens hand muscles, develops coordination, and builds the foundation for clear communication. Research also shows that writing things down helps with memory and learning, making handwriting an important skill in school and beyond.

Common Challenges Children Face

Some children take naturally to handwriting, while others may struggle. Common difficulties include:

· Grip and posture issues – holding a pencil too tightly or slouching.

· Letter formation – inconsistent size, spacing, or shape of letters.

· Speed and fluency – writing too slowly, or with difficulty keeping up in class.

· Confidence – children may become frustrated if they compare themselves to peers.

Understanding these challenges is the first step in offering meaningful support.

Practical Ways to Help at Home

1. Start with Fine Motor Skills

Activities such as playing with clay, threading beads, or using scissors help strengthen the small muscles in the hands and fingers. These skills are essential for good pencil control.

2. Focus on Pencil Grip and Posture

Show your child how to hold a pencil using the “tripod grip” (thumb, index, and middle finger). Ensure they sit comfortably at a table with feet flat on the floor and paper at a slight angle.

3. Make Practice Fun

Instead of worksheets alone, encourage playful writing. Try chalk on the pavement, painting letters with a brush, or tracing shapes in sand. Turning handwriting into a game makes it enjoyable rather than a chore.

4. Encourage Consistent Letter Formation

Guide your child to form letters from the top down and to follow the correct sequence of strokes. Using lined paper or handwriting books can help with sizing and spacing.

5. Celebrate Progress

Praise effort as much as results. A simple “Well done, your letters are much clearer today!” can boost confidence and motivation.

6. Set Realistic Goals

Short, regular practice sessions are far more effective than long, tiring exercises. Aim for 5–10 minutes a few times a week, building up gradually.

When to Seek Extra Support

If handwriting difficulties persist or significantly affect schoolwork, it may be worth speaking with your child’s teacher. Some children benefit from additional support, such as occupational therapy or specific handwriting programmes. Early intervention can prevent frustration and boost confidence.

Helping your child with handwriting is about encouragement, patience, and practice. By making it fun and supporting them with the right tools and techniques, you can give your child confidence in this lifelong skill. Remember: every child progresses at their own pace, and celebrating small successes makes all the difference.

School holidays bring a welcome break for children, but for parents, they can sometimes present a challenge. How do you keep your child engaged, active, and happy during weeks away from the classroom? One option many families turn to is a holiday camp. But is it the right choice for your child? Let’s explore the benefits and considerations.

What is a Holiday Camp? 

Holiday camps are structured programmes designed for children during school breaks. They can range from day camps running locally to residential camps where children stay for several days or weeks. Activities often include sports, arts and crafts, drama, outdoor adventures, and team-building games, ensuring plenty of variety.

Benefits of Holiday Camps

1. Keeping Children Active and Engaged

Holiday camps provide a balance of fun and learning. Instead of long hours spent on screens, children enjoy active days filled with creative and physical challenges. This helps them maintain healthy routines even outside school.

2. Building Social Skills and Friendships

Camps bring together children from different schools and backgrounds, giving them the chance to meet new friends. Through teamwork and shared activities, they develop communication skills, empathy, and confidence in social settings.

3. Encouraging Independence

For many children, a camp experience, especially a residential one, may be the first time they spend extended time away from home. This nurtures independence, problem-solving, and resilience, as children learn to adapt to new environments and routines.

4. Exploring New Interests

Holiday camps often offer activities children might not encounter at school, such as archery, drama workshops, or coding clubs. These opportunities can spark new passions and broaden horizons.

5. Peace of Mind for Parents

Knowing your child is safe, supervised, and having fun brings huge reassurance. For working parents in particular, holiday camps provide reliable childcare during long school breaks, helping to ease the pressure.

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Camp

· Age Appropriateness: Make sure the camp is tailored to your child’s age group.

· Interests: Look for programmes that match your child’s hobbies or introduce them to new ones.

· Safety and Staff: Check the staff-to-child ratio, qualifications, and safeguarding policies.

· Duration and Location: Consider whether a day camp or residential camp is more suitable, and how far you’re willing to travel.

· Cost: Prices can vary, so compare options and look out for early booking discounts or financial support schemes.

Is a Holiday Camp Right for Your Child?

If your child enjoys trying new things, meeting people, and being active, a holiday camp can be a fantastic experience. It provides structure, fun, and opportunities for personal growth. However, if your child is shy or nervous about new environments, it may be helpful to start with a shorter day camp before considering longer residential options.

Holiday camps are more than just childcare, they’re opportunities for growth, independence, and lasting memories. By choosing the right camp, you can give your child an experience that enriches their holiday while giving you peace of mind. For many families, it’s an investment in both fun and development that’s well worth considering.

When parents choose a private school for their child, they often think of high academic standards, excellent facilities, and small class sizes. But beyond academics, one of the most important aspects of a child’s school experience is pastoral care, the support and guidance that ensures children feel safe, valued, and able to thrive. In private schools, pastoral care is often a central focus, shaping not just a child’s education but also their overall well-being.

What Does Pastoral Care Mean?

Pastoral care refers to the systems, people, and practices that support students’ personal development, emotional health, and social growth. It goes beyond classroom teaching, focusing on the child as a whole individual. At its heart, pastoral care is about ensuring that every child feels nurtured, understood, and supported throughout their school journey.

Key Elements of Pastoral Care at Private Schools

1. A Strong Support Network

Private schools usually have dedicated staff responsible for pastoral care, such as form tutors, heads of year, or pastoral leads. These trusted adults build close relationships with students, acting as a first point of contact if a child is struggling academically, emotionally, or socially. Smaller class sizes also allow teachers to know each child personally.

2. Focus on Well-Being and Mental Health

Private schools often embed well-being initiatives into daily life. This might include mindfulness sessions, resilience workshops, or access to trained counsellors. Children are taught how to manage stress, handle challenges, and look after their mental health, a vital foundation for lifelong success.

3. Character Development and Values

Pastoral care is not just about responding to problems, it’s also about proactively nurturing character. Private schools tend to place a strong emphasis on values such as respect, kindness, leadership, and responsibility. Through assemblies, mentoring, and co-curricular activities, students develop the moral and social compass needed to navigate life.

4. Safe and Inclusive Environments

Creating a safe space is central to pastoral care. Private schools often have robust anti-bullying policies and initiatives that promote inclusivity. Diversity is celebrated, and

pupils are encouraged to show empathy and acceptance towards others, helping them feel part of a supportive community.

5. Parental Partnership

Strong communication between schools and families is a hallmark of pastoral care in private education. Parents are kept informed not only about academic progress but also about their child’s overall development. This partnership ensures that children receive consistent support both at home and at school.

6. Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

Extracurricular activities, from sports and music to debating and volunteering, are a vital part of pastoral care. They allow children to build confidence, explore passions, and form friendships. These experiences enrich school life and support social and emotional growth.

Why Pastoral Care Matters

Pastoral care shapes how children feel about themselves and about learning. When students feel supported, safe, and understood, they are more confident, engaged, and resilient. In private schools, the commitment to pastoral care ensures that children are not only prepared academically but also equipped with the emotional and social tools they need to flourish in life.

At private schools, pastoral care is woven into the very fabric of education. It’s about creating an environment where children are cared for as individuals, where their strengths are nurtured, and where they are given the tools to meet life’s challenges with confidence. For parents, knowing that their child will be supported in this way provides peace of mind, and for students, it makes school a place where they can truly thrive.

As children grow, they learn not just through formal education but also through the experiences and activities that spark their curiosity. Hobbies, whether drawing, playing sports, building with blocks, gardening, or even collecting things, play a vital role in shaping a child’s development. They’re not just pastimes; they are building blocks for life skills, creativity, and confidence. We’ve teamed up with a private school in West Sussex to explore why hobbies are important for children below.

1. Encouraging Creativity and Imagination

Hobbies give children the freedom to explore ideas without the pressures of right or wrong answers. Whether it’s painting a picture, inventing a new game, or playing an instrument, hobbies allow kids to express themselves and think outside the box. This kind of creative play fuels imagination, which later supports problem-solving skills and innovation.

2. Building Confidence and Self-Esteem

When children engage in activities they enjoy, they often see progress over time. Learning to play a song on the piano or scoring a goal in football can feel like big victories. These achievements, however small, help build self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment, teaching them that practice and perseverance lead to success.

3. Developing Patience and Resilience

Many hobbies, such as learning to knit, coding, or practicing a sport, require patience and repeated effort. Children quickly learn that not everything comes easily, and mistakes are part of the process. This resilience is an invaluable life skill that helps them face challenges in school and beyond.

4. Improving Focus and Discipline

When kids dedicate time to a hobby, they learn about routine, focus, and commitment. Regular practice in something they love translates into discipline that can positively influence their studies and other areas of life. It teaches them to manage their time and prioritise tasks, a habit that becomes crucial as they grow older.

5. Enhancing Social Skills

Many hobbies naturally bring children together. Team sports, dance classes, drama clubs, or even chess groups provide opportunities to build friendships, practice teamwork, and develop communication skills. Shared hobbies also give children a sense of belonging and community.

6. Promoting Mental Well-Being

Hobbies can act as an outlet for stress and anxiety, even for children. Activities such as reading, drawing, or playing music provide relaxation and joy, supporting their emotional well-being. Having a hobby also helps children feel grounded, giving them a healthy balance between schoolwork and downtime.

7. Discovering Talents and Passions

Exploring different hobbies allows children to discover what excites them most. These early passions may eventually shape their career paths or lifelong interests. More importantly, hobbies teach them curiosity, the willingness to try new things and embrace learning in everyday life.

Hobbies are far more than ways to pass the time; they are essential for a child’s holistic development. By encouraging children to explore different activities, parents and caregivers are giving them the tools to become creative, confident, resilient, and well-rounded individuals. Whether it’s art, sport, music, or something completely unique, hobbies are gifts that children carry with them for life.

Can Debt Be Good for Your Finances?

Despite what many people believe, debt is not always bad. Borrowing money is a part of everyday life. Governments borrow, companies borrow, and so do individuals. In fact, borrowing is one of the ways the economy keeps moving. But just as it can help, it also comes with risks.

The national debt stands at around £2.8 trillion, almost matching the size of the country’s GDP. Numbers like this can create the impression that your own borrowing is insignificant. Yet even something that feels small, such as a £500 loan with bad credit, can have serious consequences if it is not handled carefully.

A low credit score is already a signal that your financial habits need work. It may show you have a record of late or missed payments or that you borrow more than you can comfortably repay. Lenders see this as risky behaviour, which is why they impose stricter terms. Higher interest rates, smaller loan offers and tighter repayment schedules are all common outcomes.

So how do you know when debt is working for you rather than against you? Let’s have a closer look.

What is Good Debt?

In personal finance, debt can be considered good if it supports your goals and can be repaid without causing financial strain. Good debt should strengthen your position rather than weaken it. When borrowing leads you into a cycle of stress and constant repayment, it stops being helpful.

A loan that allows you to buy a home, gain a higher education, or invest in a business can be classified as good. Each of these examples helps you improve your future income, stability or quality of life. The key difference between good and bad debt lies not in the loan itself but in how you manage it.

Mortgage

In the current housing market, buying a property outright is nearly impossible for most people. Mortgage lending makes home ownership achievable.

A home loan is a major financial commitment, yet it can still be good debt if managed properly. Many lenders in the UK require only a 5% deposit to secure a property. For example, if a house costs £250,000, the minimum deposit is £12,500, while the rest is financed by the lender. Increasing the deposit reduces the loan amount, improves the terms, and often lowers the interest rate.

Before applying for a mortgage, it is wise to save a healthy deposit, build a solid credit score, and keep at least six months of expenses in an emergency fund.

Buying a home has several advantages:

• It can generate rental income
• Property value tends to rise over time
• Mortgages are secured loans with lower interest rates compared to many other forms of borrowing

Of course, you must ensure your monthly income comfortably covers the repayments. Falling behind could mean losing the home entirely.

Student Loan

A student loan funds your higher education, including university degrees and upskilling courses. Investing in training will help you land a better-paying job and create better career progression opportunities. A college graduate typically earns more than someone with a high school diploma; they also have a lower unemployment rate.

In the UK, student loans come with repayment conditions that are considered more flexible. You only start paying once your income passes a certain threshold. Repayments are a percentage of earnings above that level, often 9%, depending on the plan. This makes it manageable, since those with lower incomes are not forced to pay immediately.

For many, the increase in lifetime earnings that comes from higher education outweighs the debt taken on at the beginning.

Business Loan

Starting a business can be a good professional and personal decision. It leads to income generation and fuels your entrepreneurial spirit. While a business loan is a good debt, you must remember it is also a risky proposition. The success of any business will depend on the product/service you offer, your competition, and your marketing and sales strategy.

Having an emergency fund and investing more of your savings rather than taking a loan, especially in the initial stages, is a better financial plan. Failure to repay your loan can lead to legal actions, liquidation of assets, and even bankruptcy.

How to Decide if a Loan is Good or Bad?

The difference between good and bad debt usually comes down to preparation and planning. Ask yourself:

• Do I have a clear financial plan that includes these repayments?
• How will this affect my monthly budget and lifestyle?
• Will I realistically be able to pay on time without taking on more credit?

A good guideline is to reconsider borrowing if total monthly debt repayments exceed 36% of your income. This applies even to emergency loans, since high instalments can quickly drag you into a cycle of bad debt.

The cost of borrowing is not just the amount you take out. It also includes interest rates, fees and any penalties for late payment. Before accepting a loan, review the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and compare offers from different lenders. Jumping at the first available option often leads to disappointment when the fine print reveals extra charges

Summing It Up

Debt in itself is not a negative thing. Used wisely, it can be a powerful tool for growth, whether that is buying a home, pursuing an education, or building a business. What matters is planning ahead, understanding the cost, and ensuring repayments fit within your overall financial picture.

A debt becomes harmful when you cannot repay it, when interest charges spiral out of control, or when it is taken for short-lived luxuries rather than lasting benefits. A handbag, a holiday, or a night out is not worth years of financial strain.

Before borrowing, pause to reflect on what you want the loan to achieve. If it brings you closer to stability and long-term security, it may well be a good debt. If it drags you backwards, it is best avoided.

So, what have you borrowed for recently, and did it move you closer to your goals or further away from them?