Free support for Northamptonshire families facing exam stress
With just three days until a free workshop designed to help families navigate exam pressure, organiser Tutu Alaka is urging Northamptonshire parents to act quickly as spaces fill up fast.
The Family Sessions workshop, taking place on Saturday 31st January, offers practical strategies to support young people through mock exam results and revision season – but with limited spaces remaining, families are being encouraged to register now.
"We've been overwhelmed by the response from families across the county," said Tutu, CEO of Bauhaus Education,. "Parents are telling us they desperately need this support – they want to help their children succeed but aren't sure how to do it without adding pressure or causing conflict. That's exactly what this session addresses."
The two-hour afternoon workshop comes at a critical time as mock results continue to land and revision pressure intensifies. Tutu, who brings over 20 years of educational experience including her recent role as Associate Assistant Head at Thomas Beckett School in Northampton, will share evidence-based strategies that help families turn mock results into constructive learning opportunities.
"Mock exam results can be overwhelming for families, but here's what many don't realise: mock exams don't define you – they're practice runs that show exactly what needs work, with time to actually fix it," Tutu explained. "The students who do best in their final exams aren't necessarily the ones who aced their mocks. They're the ones who used their mock results strategically – identifying specific skills that need to be developed and creating targeted plans to do so."
The free session covers how to discuss mock results without adding pressure, understanding what target grades really mean, the science behind effective revision methods, recognising when stress becomes serious, and creating a supportive home environment during exam periods.
Tutu's teaching approach is grounded in cognitive science and retrieval practice. "Working memory has limited capacity, but long-term memory is unlimited," she said. "The key is moving learning from one to the other through retrieval – revisiting what students learn at least four times through homework, study, and regular practice. Mock exams are actually a powerful form of retrieval practice when used correctly."
The workshop includes a 30-minute keynote presentation, a live Q&A where parents can ask specific questions, and short one-to-one conversations with Bauhaus tutors for families seeking personalised advice. Refreshments will be provided throughout.
The event is ideal for parents and carers of students in Years 10-13 who have received mock results, are watching their child struggle with exam pressure, or want practical strategies to support their family. It's also open to families with younger students (Years 7-9) who want to prepare ahead.
The free workshop takes place this Saturday 31st January 2026 from 1.30pm-3.30pm at The Quaker Meeting House in Northampton. Spaces are limited to 40 attendees (maximum 2 people per household) and advance registration is essential.
This is a free community resource open to all Northamptonshire families, regardless of whether their child attends school in or out of the county. No connection to Bauhaus Education is required.
To register for one of the remaining spaces, visit https://bauhaus-family-session1.eventbrite.co.uk