Welcome to the 45th edition of Wednesday Wisdoms by EdGenie!

Hey Genies,

Let's talk about a common challenge many of you face.

Do you 'get the content' but struggle with exam technique? 📚💭

You might fall into one of these two categories:

• "I know the content but can't do well in exams."
• "I know the content but not in enough depth to answer questions properly."

Here's why this happens:

• Wrong Material, Wrong Way: Too much theory, not enough application. 📖❌
• Ignoring Context: Not appreciating the context in which you're learning your material. 🌍❓
• Lack of Consistent Practice: Not applying your learning to questions regularly enough and at the right time. 🕒✍️

Does this sound like you? If so, here's what you need to do:

1.Learn from the Right Source: : Make sure the information you get is top-notch, in-depth, and with the right application.

• Example Scenario: If you're studying supply-side policies, don't just read the textbook. Use resources that provide real-world examples and applications whilst explaining (like Edgenie), such as the impact of tax cuts on productivity in different industries. 🌟📘

2.Familiarise Yourself with Exam Questions: Know the types of questions that come up for your exam board.

• Example Scenario: Look at past papers and identify patterns in the questions. For instance, note how they frame questions around market structures. This helps you anticipate and prepare for similar questions. 📝🔍

3. Understand Marks Breakdown: Grasp the Knowledge, Application, Analysis, and Evaluation marks for every question.

• Example Scenario: When practicing an essay on fiscal policy, break down your answer to ensure you cover all aspects: define key terms (Knowledge), use current data (Application), explain impacts (Analysis), and critique the policy's effectiveness (Evaluation). 📊✅

4. Immediate Question Practice: Right after you learn the theory, practice questions to reinforce the application of theory, diagrams, explanations, and evaluations to specific scenarios.

• Example Scenario: After learning about elasticity of demand, immediately attempt related questions. For example, "Explain how price elasticity of demand affects a firm's pricing strategy." This reinforces the concept and helps you apply it practically. 🚀📚

5. Get Regular Feedback and Feedforward: Understand if you're writing precisely what the examiners want and need. This way, you can improve consistently.

• Example Scenario: Submit your essays for feedback through EdGenie or your teacher. Use their detailed comments to refine your structure, deepen your analysis, and strengthen your evaluations. 🔄📈

By following these steps, you'll bridge the gap between knowing the content and excelling in exams. It's not just about what you know; it's about how you apply it.

Make these changes, and watch your exam performance soar! 🌠

Emre

🍼 Labour's childcare pledge: Create 100,000 additional childcare places and over 3,000 new nurseries.

🏫 School-based nurseries: Transform primary school classrooms into nurseries, costing around £40,000 each.

💷 Funding source: Money from VAT on private schools, a move previously criticised by some sectors and parties.

🌟 Starmer's vision: Create needed childcare places to rebuild Britain if Labour wins.

📉 Falling enrolments: Primary and nursery pupils in England to drop by 8.8% over the next five years.

🏗️ New nurseries in high-need areas: Use freed-up school space for 3,334 new high-quality nurseries.

🤝 Operational flexibility: Nurseries could be run by schools or local private and voluntary providers.

🚸 Funding controversy: Funded by removing "unfair tax breaks" from private schools.

💬 Debate clash: PM Rishi Sunak opposes the VAT on private schools, calling it a "class war".

🎒 Impact on class sizes: Labour's shadow attorney general suggests potential increase in class sizes; Starmer and Phillipson say it's negligible.

🎓 Labour's long-term plan: Modern childcare system supporting parents from parental leave to end of primary school.

🏫 Wraparound nursery care: Starmer calls it a "game-changer" for working parents with older children.

🎯 Early learning goals: 3,300 new nurseries aim to help 500,000 more children achieve early learning goals by 2030.

🍽️ Free breakfast clubs: Labour's previous commitment to free breakfast clubs in every primary school.

⏳ Childcare expansion: Labour supports existing plans for additional free childcare hours starting April 2024.

📊 Conservative achievements: Education Secretary claims Tories have done more on childcare than any other government.

📢 Liberal Democrat stance: They highlight the importance of flexible, affordable childcare and transforming parental leave.

  ⚖️ Fawcett Society's support: Charity welcomes Labour's plan and calls for long-term commitments from all parties.

  👩‍👧 Mother's challenges: 85% of mothers struggle to find suitable childcare, impacting their work life.

 🧑‍🏫 Workforce strategy: Boosting childcare places requires increased staff numbers and improved conditions for early years professionals.
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🔍 Pregnant Then Screwed's perspective: Emphasises the importance of accessible childcare places to accompany cost reductions, addressing long waiting lists and childcare shortages across England.

Q: What is the primary funding source Labour plans to use for creating 100,000 additional childcare places and more than 3,000 new nurseries?
A: Labour plans to fund these initiatives by levying VAT on private schools. By imposing a 20% value-added tax (VAT) on private education, which currently enjoys tax breaks, Labour aims to generate significant revenue. This move has been met with criticism from private schools and other political parties, who argue that it could lead to higher tuition fees and reduced accessibility to private education. However, Labour defends this policy as a way to redistribute resources more equitably, providing much-needed funds to expand and improve the state childcare system, particularly in high-need areas that lack sufficient childcare options.

Q:How does Labour propose to utilise existing primary school infrastructure to address the need for more childcare places?
A:Labour proposes to turn classrooms in existing primary schools into "school-based nurseries." Each classroom transformation is estimated to cost around £40,000. This approach leverages underutilised spaces within primary schools, especially as the number of primary school pupils is projected to decline by 8.8% over the next five years. By repurposing existing classrooms, Labour aims to create an efficient and cost-effective solution to expand childcare availability, focusing on areas with a significant lack of childcare services.

Q: What are the potential economic implications of removing tax breaks for private schools as suggested by Labour?
A: Removing tax breaks for private schools could lead to several economic implications. The increased cost burden on private schools might result in higher tuition fees, making private education less accessible for some families. This could potentially drive more students to state schools, increasing demand on public education resources. Additionally, the move aims to create a more level playing field by redirecting funds from private education to enhance public childcare services. Critics argue that this could be perceived as a "class war," punishing aspirational parents, while supporters believe it will promote greater social equity.

Q:What demographic trend regarding state primary and nursery pupils in England is noted, and how does Labour plan to address this trend with their childcare strategy?
A: The number of state primary and nursery pupils in England is predicted to fall by 8.8% (397,000 pupils) over the next five years. Labour plans to address this trend by repurposing the space freed up in primary school buildings to set up 3,334 new "high quality" nurseries. This strategy aims to utilise existing infrastructure efficiently, focusing on creating additional childcare places in high-need areas where there is currently a shortage. By doing so, Labour seeks to ensure that the declining student numbers do not lead to wasted resources but are instead used to enhance early years education and support working parents.

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