Once yearly exams are over, it’s tempting for students to switch off completely / give up / stop focussing at school but this post-exam period is actually super important and a great opportunity to get ahead. With the pressure gone, it is a good time explore new topics, revisit old ones in more depth, build confidence, and prepare for the year ahead without stress.

One effective way to maintain motivation is by going through their past papers, and reflecting/ planning how which areas need improvement/ how we can achieve it. Doing this with the student rather than just telling them what they should do helps them feel included and also helps them see how far they’ve come.

This is also the perfect time to introduce fun more practical/problem solving questions or challenges that aren’t tied to grades.Particularly younger students, love maths riddles, or logic puzzles, and quick tasks that spark curiosity without feeling like traditional work. These activities keep their problem-solving skills active and their minds engaged. Maths games are especially valuable during this period.

I also fine incorporating gentle preparation for next year can be beneficial too, but super important to keep it relaxed. Short preview lessons, short intros to topics, recaps of knowledge that become pre requisites etc give students a taste of what’s coming without overwhelming them / or making it feel like it’s mandatory. This builds confidence and reduces start-of-year anxiety – especially when you phrase it as they will be ahead of others, and will find it easier next year. I so think it is important to have these more fun lessons and low-pressure learning, as before yearly’s it is always really serious, often scary / anxious for students knowing they need to learn a years worth of content for all their subjects. This productive wind down time can help the end of the year feel good and accomplished! By mixing all of the above, we can keep students motivated after exams are finished!

Shyla Gloster