Former Harrow Headmaster Champions Exam Stress as Performance Booster
Barnaby Lenon, who served as headmaster of the prestigious Harrow School for 12 years, has sparked controversy by declaring that 'exam stress is a good thing' and urging GCSE students to dedicate seven hours daily to revision during the Easter break. In an open letter to headteachers, Mr Lenon emphasised that pressure can significantly enhance test performances, warning against wasting the holiday period.
Intensive Revision Schedule Advised for Competitive Exams
Mr Lenon, now Dean of Education at the University of Buckingham, highlighted the competitive nature of GCSEs, stating that pupils who neglect revision risk falling behind. He recommended a rigorous schedule of working from 9 am to 4 pm each day, arguing that this time is essential for effective memorisation and recall. 'All the research shows that Year 11 students need to revise their notes at least three times before the exam,' he noted, stressing that the Easter holidays provide a crucial, uninterrupted period for this preparation.
He dismissed passive study methods like reading or highlighting notes as ineffective, instead advocating for active techniques such as writing out notes by hand and then from memory. For subjects like maths, he suggested focusing on practice questions, while for languages like French, memorising 30 words daily is key. Mr Lenon added that 'sacrificing Easter is not so bad' given the lengthy summer break that follows the exam period in June.
Debate Over Testing and Mental Health Impacts
This advice comes amid ongoing debates in Britain about whether teenagers are subjected to excessive testing, with teaching unions raising concerns that exams can damage mental health. Mr Lenon, who also taught at Eton for 12 years and was appointed CBE in 2019 for services to education, acknowledged that some critics have labelled his approach as overly stressful for 16-year-olds. However, he defended his stance, citing appreciative letters from students whose prospects improved through last-minute efforts.
'Exams are stressful, but recent research indicates that stress can be beneficial in this context, with no evidence that it lowers performance,' he asserted. He emphasised that revision is fundamentally about memorisation, and without it, even the best teaching can be wasted. Mr Lenon also urged schools to motivate pupils by explaining the importance of GCSE grades, noting that while life encompasses more than exams, underestimating their significance is a 'massive mistake'.
GCSE exams are scheduled to take place between May 4 and June 26, making the Easter period a critical window for preparation. Mr Lenon's no-nonsense advice, rooted in his extensive experience in elite education, continues to influence discussions on academic rigour and student well-being in the UK.
