Year 11 Shine at Strategies for Success Day

This week, Year 11 students at Charters School took part in our annual Strategies for Success Day – a long-standing tradition designed to support students as they prepare for the challenges of the GCSE examination period. With the generous sponsorship of local charity The Sunninghill Trust, the event has been a key part of school life for many years, usually held in January.

This year, however, Charters took a fresh approach and students experienced a full-day immersive workshop led by senior staff and the specialist education company Inner Drive. Known for their expertise in performance psychology, Inner Drive introduced students to the concept of the Mastery Mindset – a way of thinking that focuses on growth, effort, and resilience. Students were encouraged to see setbacks as opportunities to learn and to adopt habits that will serve them well not only in exams but in life beyond school.

The day included a variety of engaging sessions:

• Planning for Success – helping students map out effective long-term revision strategies and make the best use of subject specifications.
• Managing Stress – exploring practical techniques, including ideas from the Chimp Paradox, to manage exam anxiety and maintain balance.
• What is Success? – a reflective session encouraging students to define success for themselves and set ambitious, positive goals.
• Concentration and Focus Training with Inner Drive – equipping students with tools to stay motivated and attentive in the months ahead.

Throughout the day, Year 11 students worked in small groups, supported by their Tutors and Heads of Year. The atmosphere was one of encouragement and collaboration, with students leaving the sessions feeling more confident and better prepared to face the year ahead.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the external speakers and our dedicated staff team for making the event such a success. Special recognition goes to Miss Torlop, whose hard work and commitment ensured that every detail was thoughtfully planned.

As the school looks forward to the year ahead, this event has provided our Year 11 students with a springboard – equipping them with the mindset, strategies, and ambition to thrive in their studies and beyond.