Frequently asked questions

Please treat the information on this page AS A GUIDE ONLY. Updated details will be available from the first week of January 2009.

Who are the courses suitable for?

The courses are suitable for students in Year 11 (final year of GCSE), Year 12 (AS-level - the first year of A-level) and Year 13 (A2-level - the final year of A-level) who will be sitting their exams in May/June 2008.

Do I need a course if I'm predicted a good grade?

Revision courses aren't just for students who are struggling with a subject. Our courses are taken by students who wish to ensure they get their predicted grade or even wish to increase it. (Students predicted A* often come on our courses!) The courses aim to consolidate a student's knowledge and help with examination technique so that students have extra confidence when it comes to the exams. The courses are also about making the best of the revision time available over the Easter break.

How much can I expect to improve?

The courses are for revision of work already covered. If you have minor gaps in your knowledge, or areas you have covered already but have forgotten or not understood very well, the courses will help. They are not a substitute for having done no work all year!

What tier are the GCSE courses suitable for?

All the courses are designed for students taking the higher tier examination only. There is also a separate intermediate course for Maths students. This year we also offer IGCSE Maths.

I'm studying a different board to the one you cover. Will the course still be relevant?

You must show our course outline to your teacher at school or college who will be able to tell you if it is relevant to you. We can also ask our Director of Studies or a course tutor but ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure that the course is suitable for your needs if it does not say your board on the course outline, and you still want to come.

How many subjects can be studied in a week?

GCSE: two subjects can be studied each week except for Double Award Science, which is a full week in which all three sciences are covered (Biology, Chemistry and Physics).
A level: All subjects take five half days so two subjects can be studied per week.

How many students are there in a class?

For all GCSE subjects except Double Award Science there are a maximum of 10. For Double Award Science there are a maximum of 10. For AS and A2, there are a maximum of 8.

We believe that a class size smaller than the usual school class size is beneficial to allow students time to ask questions and gain confidence through receiving more individual attention.

If I come late what will I miss?

Your tutor will give you notes and a brief overview of the work you missed. We are unable to guarantee exactly what you will be covered on that day as the courses are planned to allow maximum flexibility in catering for the needs of the students (concentrating on their particular weaknesses).

Is there homework?

Yes, students are set up to 1½ hour's work each day.

Who are the teachers?

Some are Harrow School and John Lyon staff (John Lyon School is part of the same charitable foundation as Harrow School). Others come from other reputable schools e.g. Radley College, Dulwich College and Roedean School. All are interviewed according to the same academic criteria as permanent Harrow School staff.

Why aren't they all from Harrow School?

It is necessary to employ teachers from outside Harrow School in order to cover the range of boards and specifications on offer - most schools only offer one board per subject. Many of the staff from other schools have taught on the Easter Revision Courses for many years. Some of the tutors are also national examiners. The Director of Studies, who oversees the academic quality of the Courses, is a senior full-time Harrow School (Maths) teacher, Eugene Higgins.

How much does a residential course cost?

Click here for information about the cost of a residential course at Harrow.

If residential students are only taking one subject what do they do in the other half of the day?

They must do supervised study in the library. Students can revise for their other subjects if they wish. There is also an evening supervised study period of 1½ hours each day. Students are set up to 1½ hour's homework by their tutors each day. Residential students must ensure that they bring enough work with them to fill all their time at the School, so bring some revision for other subjects too.

What is the bedding made of (for students with allergies)?

Mattresses are made of synthetic filling. Pillows and duvets are filled with flame retardant polyester. Bed linen is made of polycotton.

If I miss a day/morning, can I have a reduction on fees?

No, unfortunately this is not possible.

Why do you charge an administration fee for alterations to bookings?

Because re-scheduling requires additional administration.

Can I book a place over the phone?

You can reserve a place for three working days over the phone, using a credit card. However, we cannot process the application until we have received either a signed application form or an application submitted online. After three working days, we will release the place.