Education Blog

The Schools in England Blog

Expert guides, exam tips and practical advice from experienced educators. Everything parents and students need to navigate England's school system.

12 Articles

5 Topics

3 Expert Authors

A sixth-form student in England sitting at a classroom desk, focused on revising for a GCSE maths or English resit, with a teacher visible in the background

Exams & Qualifications

Resitting Exams: What Happens If a Student Fails Maths or English?

Didn't get Grade 4 in GCSE Maths or English? Resitting is compulsory in sixth form. Rules, deadlines, November vs summer series, Functional Skills options explained.

A Year 10 student in British school uniform reviewing GCSE subject notes at a desk in an English secondary school classroom

Exams & Qualifications

The Importance of EBacc: Does It Matter for University Applications?

The EBacc is not a university entry requirement — but your GCSE grades are. What the EBacc is, what universities actually look for, and what really matters.

A Year 13 student working on a UCAS university application at a school computer in an English sixth form centre, with a teacher providing support

Exams & Qualifications

UCAS Explained: How English Schools Help Students Apply for University

Everything parents and students need to know about UCAS: how it works, key 2027 deadlines, the new personal statement format, predicted grades and Clearing.

A Year 11 pupil in school uniform holding two college prospectuses side by side while deciding between sixth form and FE college

Exams & Qualifications

Choosing a Sixth Form or FE College: Key Differences

Comparing sixth forms and FE colleges in England? This guide explains the key differences in environment, courses, support and independence to help Year 11 pupils decide.

Emmett Richardson

A GCSE student in school uniform writing maths working on lined paper with a scientific calculator beside them

Exams & Qualifications

Reverse Percentages: A Step-by-Step Method

Learn how to find the original value before a percentage change. Step-by-step reverse percentage method with worked examples for GCSE Maths revision.

A Year 10 pupil in a British school science lab reviewing GCSE study materials for biology, chemistry and physics

Exams & Qualifications

Combined Science Versus Separate Sciences: Choosing a GCSE Route

Choosing between GCSE Combined Science and Separate Sciences? Learn what each route involves, who it suits, and how the grades work.

A Year 11 student in British school uniform sitting a mock exam in a school sports hall in England, rows of desks, clock on the wall

Exams & Qualifications

Mock Exams: Why They Are More Important Than Ever in 2026

Mock exams are no longer just a rehearsal — in 2026 they influence predicted grades, sixth-form offers and mental health. Here's how to make the most of them.

Year 9 student reviewing GCSE subject options booklet at a school desk

Exams & Qualifications

How to Choose GCSE Options: Tips for Year 9 Students

Choosing your GCSEs in Year 9? Discover expert tips on picking the right subjects, understanding the EBacc, and planning for your future career or A-Levels.

A Year 6 child writing in a SATs exam paper at a bright primary school classroom in England

Exams & Qualifications

A Parent's Guide to SATs: Why They Matter at Year 2 and Year 6

Everything parents need to know about SATs in England: what Year 2 and Year 6 tests involve, how results work, and how to support your child without adding stress.

British sixth-form students in three different learning environments representing A-Levels, BTECs and T-Levels

Exams & Qualifications

A-Levels vs. BTECs vs. T-Levels: Which Path Is Right for Your Teenager?

Compare A-Levels, BTECs and T-Levels in 2026. Understand assessment styles, UCAS points, university acceptance and which pathway suits your teenager best.

Christopher Walton