Study Skills

In a rapidly evolving world, where our pupils may enter careers that don’t yet exist and the impact of technology is still unfolding, one thing is certain: the right mindset and skills will empower them to thrive.

We want our pupils to understand how they learn, to know their own strengths and weaknesses, and which strategies work best for them to thrive in all aspects of their lives. The programme seeks to help our pupils become solution-focused, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and creative innovators, while also showing them that they are capable of more than they might believe with the right mindset and strategies.

Our approach is grounded in research from cognitive science on how children learn. This research shapes not only our classroom practice but also our integrated approach to developing study skills. Our work on study skills developed into the Marlborough Mindset, which underpins our educational philosophy, because we want Marlburians to develop a positive mindset and a set of skills for learning and for life.

All Marlburians are encouraged to be: curious, adaptable, responsible and enterprising. The holistic approach to the Mindset is designed to help our pupils develop the attitudes and study skills they need to become effective, independent learners. By ‘holistic,’ we mean that true academic success requires more than just hard work. Pupils need to understand how their brain works, how to strengthen their memory, and how good habits, sleep and diet are vital for learning.

This evidence-based approach encourages pupils to consider how they study best, trying out strategies in order that they can identify how they learn. These habits, skills and knowledge are organised under the following headings in the Marlborough Mindset study skills framework:

• The Science of Learning: Understand how your brain works and develop metacognitive skills—thinking about how you learn—to study effectively.
• Be Organised: Master time management and create a positive working environment—both physically and mentally—to boost productivity and focus.
• Read Effectively: Develop key reading skills such as analysis, skimming, scanning, inferring, deducing, and summarising to engage deeply with texts.
• Revise Effectively: Use proven strategies for memorisation, such as active recall, spaced repetition, and other active revision techniques.
• Manage Setbacks: See mistakes as valuable learning opportunities. Develop resilience by reflecting on what went wrong and taking action to improve.
• Healthy Body, Happy Mind: Prioritise your wellbeing—eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep—because a healthy body is essential for a sharp and focused mind.

Marlborough Mindset and Lessons

At Marlborough, pupils are taught how to revise directly within their lessons. This integrated approach is vital because study skills are most effective when taught in the context of individual subjects. In addition to in-class guidance, pupils have access to a range of resources to support their learning, including:

• The Marlborough Mindset workbook and Connect Pages: These provide practical advice on revision techniques, managing setbacks, and staying organised.

• Annual study skills workshops: Delivered by the Life Skills Company, these sessions are carefully timed to support pupils at key points in their academic journey:

o The Hundred session on maximising exam success is in the Lent Term.
o The Shell and Remove have their workshops in the Summer Term, ahead of their internal exams.
o The Upper School sessions are during the Michaelmas Term in advance of mocks and A level preparation.

Pupils are awarded commendations to recognise their key achievements in the Mindset attributes, and parents can see these reflected in pupils’ rewards totals on the parent portal.

Marlborough Mindset Leaders

Research highlights how strongly peer influence shapes pupils’ academic engagement. That’s why our 30 Marlborough Mindset Ambassadors and Prefects play such a vital role in pupil leadership. These pupils are dedicated to ensuring every Marlburian has access to effective revision strategies—and, crucially, knows how to use them.

Their impact goes beyond academics. They mentor peers who may be struggling, whether in a particular subject or more broadly. Through assemblies, they’ve championed the values of enterprise and responsibility and have led revision workshops in Houses to educate pupils on how such matters as sleep and organisation can directly affect academic success. These are just a few examples of their academic leadership.

Their message is clear: working hard and achieving are things to be highly respected. They are helping to build a culture where aiming high and using evidence-based strategies that work are celebrated—and where academic ambition is something to be proud of.

One of the most valuable lessons we can teach our pupils is self-awareness as a learner—helping them understand how they learn best, where their challenges lie, and how to overcome them. Equally important is recognising their strengths and learning how to use them to their advantage.

At Marlborough, we view every pupil as a leader of tomorrow. Our goal is to prepare them not only for academic success but also to develop the self-knowledge, skills and resilience they will need to lead and succeed beyond school.