Oxford Tutorial College

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• href="http://www.otc.ac.uk/easter-revision-courses" > Easter Revision Courses
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A-levels

Easter Revision Courses for A-level candidates have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a fresh look at the key topics in the chosen subject and providing an intensive overview of the specified core material. Oxford Tutorial College is one of the more established providers of such courses, having successfully organised revision courses since 1984 and developed an effective and thorough format for delivering them. Revision Courses provide an enormous boost at a critical time to students who are seeking to maximise their potential. Courses are offered at both 'AS' and 'A2' level. GCSE courses in the core subjects are also available on a non-residential basis.

Students who enrol with us are typically seeking well-organised and highly-structured courses and are therefore taught in small groups geared specifically towards the demands of the examinations. Care is taken to establish the precise topics and options students are preparing for the exams, by requesting that they each complete a detailed pre-course questionnaire; this information is used to help tutors prepare an appropriate course.

Subject material is reviewed in an efficient and clear manner, with specific reference to previous exam questions, to ensure familiarity with their style and format. Careful guidance is provided with answering technique and the course includes two timed tests and a final mock exam. Students are given advice as to how to organise and prioritise their revision over the crucial final weeks. Where particular difficulties are encountered with the more problematic topics, care is taken to explain these fully.

Teaching takes place at Brasenose College, one of the constituent colleges of Oxford University, and at Oxford Tutorial College, where the excellent facilities include a library, resources room, computer room and student common room. The environment is an ideal one for thorough, intensive study, and students are invariably inspired by the tranquil surroundings. Both residential and non-residential places are available, accommodation being within the walls of Brasenose College, in the historic heart of Oxford.

Course structure

The course takes place over five days and combines intensive subject teaching sessions, two timed assessment tests, a final mock examination and seminars devoted to study skills, especially revision and examination technique.The programme is delivered as follows:

Occasionally, in the case of less popular subjects or options, where a student is the only one enrolled for a particular specification, individual tutorials takes place, which allow the tutor to concentrate entirely on the student's unique needs. This may be the case, for example, with certain English Literature texts or History period options. In such instances, students follow a timetable divided between individual tutorials and directed study time.

The marked mock script and a report, with comments on progress and performance during the week and advice on how to use the final weeks of exam preparation, are sent to each student at the conclusion of the course.

Registration

To apply for a place on one or more weeks, please complete and send our on-line application form. We will then contact you again to confirm availability.

You will be asked at this stage to remit the course fees to reserve your place on the course, and to send two passport-sized photographs. You will be sent registration information and joining instructions by return of post.

Study Skills

Competence in study skills is crucial to success; lack of such competence is the most common, and most curable, cause of under-performance in public exams. The successful student needs to be able to organise study time, make good use of study materials, read texts with clear understanding, take effective summarised notes, revise and learn material efficiently, understand the focus of exam questions, write clearly-argued answers, respond well to stimulus material and organise exam time effectively.

In addition to subject teaching, advice and encouragement are given to students in adopting effective study methods. Topics covered include: In addition to subject teaching, advice and encouragement are given to students in adopting effective study methods. Topics covered include:

Organisation and Use of Available Time

This includes the use of timetables and diaries, prioritising work, assessing work targets, developing study routines and creating a good study environment. Reading and Note-Taking Skills This includes the importance of overview, reading strategies, the use of key words, concise note-taking, notes from memory and the use of diagrammatic notes.

Revision Techniques

This includes revision timetables, prioritising revision, memory training, the importance of review and methods of organising revision.

Essay Planning and Writing Technique

This includes the use of 'mind maps', brainstorming techniques, reading the question, the balance of argument and evidence, essay structure and timing.

Exam Technique

This includes final preparation, question selection, timing and keeping a calm head in exams.The course consists of four sessions which are timetabled at 5.45pm on the first four days.

Residential Details

Residential accommodation is at Brasenose College, one of the constituent colleges of Oxford University, located on Radcliffe Square, less than 200 yards from Oxford Tutorial College. There has been an educational hall on this site since the thirteenth century, though Brasenose College can properly be said to date from 1509 when it was founded by Sir Richard Sutton, a lawyer, and William Smith, Bishop of Lincoln.

Each student has a single study bedroom within the college. The rooms are arranged on 'staircases' on one of the three 'quads', with shared bathroom facilities. Bedrooms are centrally heated and have their own desks and washbasins. Meals are taken in the dining hall: breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. Where requested, arrangements are made for special dietary needs. Non-residential students who want to have lunch are able to purchase lunch cards.

Careful supervision of the residential arrangements is provided by staff, living on-site, who ensure that students are comfortable in their accommodation and that domestic difficulties are speedily resolved. They encourage students to use their time sensibly; homework and preparation are set each evening and residential staff help create a positive environment conducive to study.