A New School Year: Five Ways to Build Confidence for your child in GCSE Science
26 Aug 2026
Published in: Member News
Discover five simple ways to help your child build confidence, address gaps in their learning and make a positive start to the new school year.
The start of a new school year is a good time to establish routines and address any gaps in understanding.
For students who have previously struggled with science, getting support early can prevent small difficulties from becoming bigger ones. GCSE science can feel overwhelming. There is a lot of content to remember, unfamiliar vocabulary to understand and exam questions that require students to apply their knowledge.
During more than 20 years in education, I have heard many capable students say, “I’m just not good at science.” Often, the problem is not ability. A gap in understanding has affected their confidence, and they no longer know where to begin. Here are five simple ways parents can help.
1. Identify the actual problem “I don’t understand chemistry” is difficult to tackle. “I don’t understand how ions form” gives you somewhere to start. Encourage your child to identify the exact part they find difficult.
2. Keep revision short and regular Twenty minutes focused on one topic is often more useful than hours of last-minute revision. Short sessions also make the workload feel more manageable.
3. Ask them to explain it Encourage your child to explain a process aloud, draw a diagram or teach the topic to you. You do not need to know the answer. Explaining something helps students recognise where they are getting stuck.
4. Practise exam questions Knowing the science is only part of the challenge. Students must also understand what the question is asking. Regular practice helps them become familiar with command words such as describe, explain and compare.
5. Notice progress, not just marks A disappointing result does not define a student’s ability. Praise effort, persistence and small improvements. Getting one question right that previously seemed impossible is still progress.
Confidence develops when students understand a little more, practise what they have learnt and realise that making mistakes is part of learning. The beginning of the school year is an ideal time to put these habits in place.
If your child would benefit from a little extra support, About Science Ltd offers friendly, expert-led, small-group online tuition in Key Stage 3 Science and AQA GCSE Biology and Chemistry. Our sessions make difficult topics clearer, more accessible and enjoyable while helping students grow in confidence.
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