We hear time and time again that for many young people, when the subjects Maths and English are uttered, it fills them with anxiety.
Whether it’s the memory of struggling in lessons, feeling left behind or worrying about having to resit their GCSEs, stepping back into a traditional classroom can bring back the same feelings of dread all over again.
That’s why St Vincent Sixth Form College is taking a fresh approach this September.
Rethinking what a classroom should be
If you were to walk into one of our new Maths or English classrooms today, you might wonder if you’ve come to the right place.
Gone are the rows of desks facing the front. Instead, students will find comfortable seating, breakout spaces and a calm, welcoming environment designed to reduce anxiety and help them feel at ease from the moment they walk through the door.
Curriculum Manager, Steph Sear explained the thinking behind the transformation, “If you’ve had a bad experience at school, the first thing you see is a classroom that looks exactly like the one you struggled in. We wanted to remove that barrier completely.”
Rather than asking students to sit down and immediately begin lessons, the focus for the first few weeks will be spent building confidence.
Relationships over results
Instead of diving straight into GCSE focused lessons, students will spend time getting to know their teachers through games, discussion and collaboration.
There will be no pressure to answer questions, no fear of getting things wrong and no expectation that everyone progresses at the same pace.
“We’re not teaching maths or English straight away,” Steph told us. “We’re building positive relationships first. Students don’t have to prove what they can or can’t do. They simply have the opportunity to feel comfortable in the space.”
The aim is to remove the fear that often prevents students from getting involved in the first place.
Every learner is different, so there is no fixed timetable for introducing subject content. Some students may feel ready after a week, while others may need longer. The focus is on meeting students where they are and helping them move forward with confidence.
Breaking down barriers to learning
It’s St Vincent’s student-focused approach that this new model of learning is building upon. One student, who recently completed GCSE Maths and English alongside studying Business, said, “I had to retake my maths and English GCSE, so I took Business as well because I thought it would be something interesting to learn. I enjoyed the marketing module the most. I haven’t got my GCSE results yet, but I definitely felt more confident this time. I actually understood the questions!”
For us, that’s exactly what success looks like.
By removing barriers, reducing anxiety and creating spaces where students feel comfortable to learn, St Vincent is helping young people rebuild their confidence alongside their qualifications.
Learn more about Maths, English and the wide range of courses available at St Vincent Sixth Form College today.