Independent Study for GCSE should be compulsory

Independent studies? What's that?

Whatever you're on about, people do manage with the GCSEs. No point making things easier just because people complain.

GCSE’s will always be easier but some don’t understand the importance of independent study in A Levels, and this teaches kids earlier on.

Quite a lot of people are messing up AS Mocks from lack of independent study, so a steady increase in independent study hours will help those struggling.

I agree with your general concept. Perhaps there should be 2 hours independent study for Y10, slightly increase that for Y11?

Then less independent study for Y12 than Y13, but Y12 has more than Y11? That way the transition is more gradual.


I agree, it was tough for me going from GCSE to A-level, with the massive amount of independent study required.

If students are doing the Ebaac, that cuts out elective options, and reduce the time spent for other activities.

Yes, that’s a good idea, I had to scrap the idea for longer school hours, but I believe starting in year 10 sounds more fair and gradually increasing for Y11 etc.

Remember for new standards, the school week needs to be at least 32.5 hours. If you add in the time for homework, you're looking at a ~40 hour workload. Longer school hours would increase the hours spent, and is arguably hypocritical given the standard work week for adults is ~40 hours.

To smooth the transition even further, in KS3 there should be study skills sessions and time management sessions to prepare for this.

Maybe Y10 has 2 hours, Y11 5 hours, Y12 10 hours and Y13 15 hours of independent study? Would this work?

Yes, that does sound fair. My initial thought were 2, 4, 12, 16. But I guess that works as well.