Brandon Learning Centre: British Education - process, preparation and practicalities

For years now, we have been working on ways to help Brandon students excel in the ISEB Pre-test and UKISET. Now we are sharing our secret weapon! Pre-Quest is our new platform which provides hundreds of adaptive questions written by our teachers for each section of the ISEB Pre-test: English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.  Each section is divided into units and each unit into different levels. Work your way through the levels using our tips and checking your answers as you go. Once you have finished, you can mix all the levels in a practice test. Not sure of your result? Try again and the questions will be different.  We have three stages - pre-test, pre-test plus and extension and all are provided in subscriptions which start at US$90 per month.  Conquer your pretest with Pre-Quest!  Watch our videos for overviews:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkKEw52lyyg - Overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQoW8girr1o - Non-verbal reasoning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8

The good news (for parents) is that Hong Kong schools are resuming for many primary and secondary students at the end of the month...  the bad news (for students) is that the timing is perfect for end of term exams!  Our children have been out of school for most of the year, so how do you manage the transition process?  Firstly, thinking about starting to enforce wake-up and sleep times. Many of my students have got used to a bit of a lie-in... there is a fascinating (academic) article on the effects of sleep on the teenage brain which was published in the Neuroscience & Behavioural Review if you are interested in something with which to back up your claim that 'sleep is good for you'!  It sounds basic but do school uniforms still fit? Do schoolbags still have the requisite bits of kit and are books assembled? In our Brave New World, think about packing hand sanitiser, masks and alcohol wipes. Answer practical questions (if you can) including how to handle using the lavato

I am deeply impressed by the way in which schools are responding to our new world. Switching to on-line teaching is not an easy transition (try teaching an online class of students under the age of ten if you don't believe me!) but teachers are doing an amazing job of supporting their students.  I have a deep admiration for anyone who is trying to juggle homeschooling and working from home. One new development is the introduction of 'virtual open days' which allows parents to visit the school online, hear from the Heads and have interviews with admissions people. Of course, this is no substitute for seeing a school in action but it is better than nothing! Have a look at Cheltenham Ladies' video and join their open day : For anyone interested in a modern Catholic education, Downside is also doing a virtual open day on the 15th and 16th of May. Wycombe Abbey will be running a virtual Open Day on the 6th June; all the insight with none of the jetlag!

These wonderful museums can now be explored from home!  No crowds, no queues, nobody in front of you with a selfie-stick... just you and the treasures of the world.

I have two online Sunday school classes. Many of us have never met in person but we get together every week and share prayers and hopes. Thank you to all my students all for being so joyous and positive. We have a wonderful day of celebration ahead of us as Jesus is resurrected and hope return to our lives. Seeing you online each week is a real blessing.

As we expected, boys who are holding conditional offers for Radley are no longer expected to sit the Common Entrance exam in June. If your son is at a prep school, he may be asked to sit the exam as a way of gauging progress. If you are overseas or at a school which does not prepare for CE, I would suggest you complete the ISEB syllabus because it gives a brilliant grounding for Y9. Without the pressure of exams, you might want to try: Identifying smaller, more challenging topics which you might have rushed and really nail them. or Finding an area your child really loves (tectonic plates? algebra? autobiographies) and link this interest to a home project (research, interview, create!) If you are stuck for ideas, do please contact me and I will see what I can think of. Above all: don't worry about missing out, all new Radleians will be examined in September or October for setting purposes.

Amazing theatre, dance and opera in your sitting room. Culture was never so accessible... The National Theatre is sharing a fantastic season with us. If you are just joining them, start with their production of Jane Eyre  ... and maybe donate if you can? The Bolshoi Theatre has sumptuous productions which are glorious to watch. Join them tonight for the premiere of Boris Godunov New York's Metropolitan Opera is offering a nightly free concert. last week, they had the fantastic Siegfried and this week, a stunning stream of Aida. The sets alone are worth tuning in for. For anyone who has ever been lucky enough to see a play at Shakespeare's Globe , you will know the feeling of being transported back in time. Experience Shakespeare's plays as he saw them. This is a perfect way to introduce your children to the arts, without having to worry about them kicking the seat in front of them or asking loudly why the strange lady on the stage is shouting so much!