Risedale School has piloted a new approach to exam preparation, with the launch of its first Walking, Talking Mocks (WTMs) for Year 11 pupils.
Held from Monday 8 to Friday 12 December, the initiative saw the Year 11 cohort work through live GCSE-style exam papers in English, maths and science in a supportive and structured environment.
Pupils sat in the school hall under full exam conditions, but rather than working in silence, each session was led by a subject specialist using a visualiser.
This allowed teachers to model answers on a large screen in real time, talking pupils through each step of the process while offering practical advice on exam technique, time management and how to approach different question types.
All sessions were recorded, meaning pupils can revisit the walkthroughs for revision or catch up if they were unable to attend.
The school said feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the sessions as “invaluable” in helping bridge the gap between revision at home and the pressure of the exam hall.
Mr Kirkbride, senior teacher for KS4 Standards, said: “At Risedale, we are continually looking for innovative ways to boost pupil confidence regarding examinations.
“These sessions were a rehearsal for the actual exams and were designed to help build confidence, preparing pupils for both the PPEs in January and the final exams in the summer.”
Staff have praised the impact of the sessions, particularly in helping to remove the anxiety pupils often feel when faced with a blank exam paper. Many students reported feeling far better equipped to tackle questions and manage their time effectively as a result.
The school also paid tribute to its IT team, whose technical support ensured the live delivery and recording of the sessions ran smoothly, as well as to teaching staff who embraced the new format and shared their expertise from the podium.
