Pupils study for GCSE in school 'Big Brother' house
TEENAGERS have transformed GCSE revision into reality TV after starting a week of lessons in their school's very own Big Brother house.
Sixteen pupils from Ormiston Horizon Academy, in Chell, will be completing wacky challenges, carrying out secret missions, and chatting on camera in a diary room.
They will also cover 20 hours of maths work, revising the key topics they need to know in time for their final GCSE exam papers next month.
The experience got off to a gripping start yesterday as principal Rod Hughes's voice boomed out of a loudspeaker, saying: "This is Big Brother. Could all housemates enter the Big Brother house."
Within minutes, the students were ripping open brown envelopes to find out their first tasks of the day.
Challenges will include turning themselves into toilet paper mummies in 60 seconds, playing the game jenga, and completing a task involving cream crackers.
Mr Hughes said: "The students were selected for it because they are very close to achieving their target grade, but need a bit of a boost. It's focusing on maths and teamwork."
He has been hidden from view in the Big Brother command centre. Other staff will also be offering support to the teenagers.
And on Thursday, instead of it being eviction night, pupils will be asked to nominate their housemates for awards.
One prize will be for excellent work, another for friendship and support, and a third one for showing respect in the house.
Ruby Allen, aged 15, from Fegg Hayes, is viewing the week with some trepidation.
She said: "I think it will be competitive for the first couple of days. But towards the end, I don't think it will be as bad. It's going to boost our confidence a lot. I'm also looking forward to using the diary room.
"I'm thinking it's going to be cool."
Big Brother rules include leaving mobile phones at the door and foregoing other luxuries.
Pupils will spend each school day in the house, but will be allowed home after 3pm to spend the night at home.
Fifteen-year-old Aaron Sherman, from Packmoor, said: "It's a bit different.
"I'd like normal lessons to be like this. It's making maths more interesting and fun and will really help."
The house is based in the school's inclusion and independent learning centre and is just the latest in a series of 'interventions' to help teenagers do well in their GCSEs.
They have already listened to guest speakers, been treated to pizza for doing extra sessions, and have been on a residential visit to Wedgwood Memorial College, in Barlaston.
Although there are only 16 housemates, there are 113 students in year 11 at the school altogether.
Last year, 34 per cent of the academy's GCSE pupils achieved A* to C passes in English and maths. Many of the current year group have taken early entry GCSEs, with 42 per cent have already gaining a C or above.
The Big Brother pupils will sit their final exams for maths on March 2 and 5.
Bianca Joy, aged 16, from Fegg Hayes, said: "I think this week is going to be hard, but fun.
"I used to hate maths. I really like it now."
4 Comments
by ddpackmoor
Thursday, February 23 2012, 5:56PM
“One of those pupils pictured is my Son.... He is not a "slacker" as you " gerbstoke" refer to him and his fellow pupils.... Who are you to call them this when you dont even know the pupils invlolved.... I can also tell you that my Son is doing very well with his with his exams and results and will be going to Sixth Form in September.... May i ask if you completed your education and went to college ? and what you do for a living? What is the harm in the pupils doing what they are doing.... it is something that young people relate to and if it does give them a boost and makes revising fun then what harm is it to anyone?”
by sarahxjane1
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 1:43PM
“ABOSLUTELY PATHETIC!”
by vision2011
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 1:07PM
“If it helps them to go for the final push they need to do better in their exams it's got to be a positive thing. As long as it doesn't cost the tax payers money and they complete all the hours work I can't see the problem!”
by gerbstoke
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 9:53AM
“What is this country coming to? The headmaster or what ever he is said " The selected pupils needed a bit of a boost" To me that sounds like they are slackers! I have never heard such a air brained idea in my life. They are a few months away from some major exams and they are told to cover each other with bog roll, good grief. May be it would be a better idea if Rods voice boomed out " Get to your class rooms and do some learning for a change!!!”