Why doesn't learning make sense for every GCSE student?

Because too many students believe they are the problem, when the real issue is that learning hasn’t been explained in a way that works for them.

Hey I'm Emma

I’m a secondary supply teacher, working across multiple schools in Devon and Cornwall.

You can check me out through my recommendations on LinkedIn

Emma Hemmington Linkedin

I step into different classrooms every week, and I hear the same sentence again and again:

“I just don’t get it.”

Most of the time, they understand the content in lessons.

But they haven’t been shown in a way that works for them, how to retain that knowledge and apply it in a way that the examiners expect.

Often this includes not knowing how to:

- slowly break things down

- make sense of what they know simply

- connect ideas clearly

- apply their understanding in writing under time constraints in exams

So when exam pressure hits, confidence drops and the marks don’t reflect what students are actually capable of.

That’s why with the support of some fabulous teacher friends, some proactive parents, some wonderful interns at the University of Plymouth and an all important small focus group of year 10 and 11 Mainstream and Homeschooled Students in the South West -

- We are building a completely free and accessible GCSE exam-skills platform that helps students understand exactly what and how to revise and then apply it in their actual exams to get the marks they deserve.

But we need your support to get the first stage up and running in time for this year's students!

Still reading? Great let me tell you more!

Why exactly are we building this?

We don’t want to reinvent education.

We just have a great track record of being able to re-explain it:

- simply.

- calmly.

- step by step.

And without jargon, pressure, or judgement. Just using innovative techniques that help the student fully understand what they are being asked to do and have the confidence to do it.

We focus on the why and the how, not just the what.

We break learning into small, connected steps so students can see how it fits together and finally have that “oh… I get it now” moment.

When students are given time, clarity, and explanations that make sense, something changes.

- They stop panicking.

- They start trusting their own thinking.

- Their attitude to learning becomes positive again.

So what is it that we are building?

We are building a calm, practical GCSE exam-skills digital platform that helps students turn understanding into exam results.

It will be free for every student to access!

This matters to us.

The students who need this kind of support most are often the least able to pay for it.

We want learning that makes sense to be available without barriers, subscriptions, or pressure.

Starting with G.C.S.E English Language, Maths and Exam Skills, the platform will show students how to:

- break down exam questions without missing their purpose

- understand command words and what - examiners are really asking

- use mark schemes to prepare high-mark answers

- structure and develop responses clearly

- check their work with confidence

- understand key distinctions (for example, ideas vs themes) so they answer correctly

- use game play to retain knowledge

And importantly these are the very skills students can transfer across all GCSE subjects, not just one exam.

Why this matters

Across schools, we see the same patterns:

- students who cope in class but panic in exams

- students labelled “underperforming” who succeed once application is explained

- students losing confidence because their knowledge isn’t rewarded in their exam answers

This project exists to close the gap between learning and exam performance.

Where the £4,000 will go?

This funding covers us being able to put a lot of foundational work into the project, it’s about making sure the platform is built properly, runs reliably, and stays free for students forever.

The £4,000 will cover:

- Website build and setup

Creating a clear, calm, accessible site structure that students can actually use without feeling overwhelmed.

- Hosting, domain, and running costs

- Making sure the site is secure, reliable, and available to students whenever they need it.

- Content creation and organisation. Turning existing classroom teaching into clear, step-by-step interactive digital resources, easy to follow videos, FAQs, and exam-skills guides.

- Time to respond to real student questions through our moderated Ask A Teacher ChatGCSE Online Group.

Allowing us to dedicate protected time each week to answering all of the submitted questions about their G.C.S.E's and Subjects, and updating the FAQ page with clear simple explanations.

- Design and accessibility, Keeping layouts simple, readable, and calm especially for anxious or neurodivergent students.

Why crowdfunding instead of a business?

We have been asked why we don’t just turn this into a paid platform or apply for large grants.

The answer is timing and values.

This teaching already works in real classrooms. Crowdfunding allows us to make it available beyond them.

Large grant funding takes time and layers of administration, plus no guarantee of sustainability.

A self funded business model will take more time and could put learning behind a paywall especially initially, excluding many of the students this is designed to help.

Crowdfunding allows us to:

- build this now, so students who need it asap can access it

- keep the platform free and accessible

stay focused on students, not profit or funding criteria

- keep the platform running sustainably forever without having to rely on government which can be cut back at anytime.

This isn’t about monetising learning.

It’s about making sure students get calm, clear support when it matters most.

This funding allows us to focus on quality, clarity, and access, rather than having to wait for money raised or putting support behind a paywall.

Our intention is to set this up officially as a CIC in 2026, to ensure that all profits are used directly to support our student community. And with your help we can do that!

What the funding will be used for?

Fundraising goal: £4,000

The initial money raised will be used to:

- build and launch the first version of the - platform

- design calm, student-friendly layouts

organise teaching into clear, usable exam-skills sections

- give support to real students during the early phase who are taking they exams in the summer of 2026 through our moderated Ask A Teacher ChatGCSE Online Group

The aim is to have the first stage live by March, supporting current GCSE students as soon as possible.

Who this is for?

If you’ve ever heard a student say:

- “I understand it but I can’t explain it”

- “I don’t know what they want me to write”

- “I just don’t get exams”

— this platform is for them!

ONE FINAL THING

What will happen as soon as the first donation comes in.

If even one person believes this will help someone, the very first thing we will do, as soon as the first donation is received is set up a public web platform that students, parents, and teachers can use immediately.

This platform will include:

- a ChatGCSE Ask A Teacher online group

- a clear FAQ section focused on GCSE exam skills

- a simple question form where anyone can ask anonymously about:

- how to work out what to revise

- revision and exam techniques

- anything English Language GCSE

related

- anything Mathematics GCSE related

And every week we will respond to every single question we receive with:

- calm

- coherent

- step-by-step explanations

Over time, the ChatGCSE Online group will grow into a practical, shared knowledge space shaped by the real questions students and parents are actually asking as well.

We will also:

- link relevant official PDFs from all exam boards, such as specification check lists and mark schemes with exemplar answers from last GCSE years.

- organise them so students and parents can find what they need quickly

- remove the need to search through confusing or overwhelming information

This means support starts immediately, not “once we've hit the fund raising goal or everything is finished”.

Even before the full platform is live,

students will already have:

- clear answers

- trusted official resources

- explanations that make sense

Your timely support will help us make high-quality resources available to students much sooner.

Is that it?

Actually no, this phase is actually just the starting point. After the first stage, our long term goals are:

This project is built to be useful from the very first step.

This isn’t about fixing students. It’s about fixing how learning is explained.

Thank you for supporting students with learning that makes sense so that their Exams Can Be Made Easy!