Getting ahead of the forgetting curve
There are two great challenges with learning. The first is understanding new information and connecting it to existing knowledge. The second is developing a way of being able to embed this new knowledge into our short and long term memory bank for later retrieval and connecting to even more complex understandings. As Dr Pru Salter shared with interested parents and students at our recent Study Skills Evening, research in cognitive science highlights that without deliberate review, much of what we learn is forgotten within days. This phenomenon, known as the forgetting curve, remains one of the most important findings in educational research.
The encouraging news is that forgetting is not inevitable. One of the most effective ways to strengthen long-term memory is through deliberate and spaced practice, the intentional review of learning over time. Rather than cramming before a test, students revisit concepts at increasing intervals, helping knowledge move from short-term memory into long-term understanding.
At Northholm, we are committed to ensuring that students learn well, so we must have strategies that enable our ability to remember well. Recently, our teaching staff participated in professional learning through the Northholm Institute for Cultivating Excellence, focusing on practical strategies for embedding daily review into classroom learning. The training reinforced the growing body of evidence demonstrating that frequent retrieval and review are among the highest-impact practices available to teachers and students alike.
Spaced practice does not require hours of additional study. In fact, small, consistent habits are often the most powerful. Students can incorporate this approach into their home learning by spending 10 to 15 minutes each day revisiting previous lessons, using flashcards, self-quizzing, summarising key ideas from memory, or completing a few practice questions from earlier topics. Reviewing material after one day, one week and one month is significantly more effective than waiting until assessment time.
Importantly, this approach develops more than academic achievement. It cultivates growth as learners and in character; discipline, confidence and independence are qualities that enable students to become lifelong learners. When students regularly retrieve knowledge, they strengthen neural pathways, deepen understanding and build a sense of mastery over their learning.
Together, we are taking a proactive approach to helping students get ahead of the forgetting curve. By combining evidence-informed teaching practices with effective study habits at home, we are equipping our students not only for success in their next assessment, but for a future where knowledge, understanding and excellence endure. Your partnership in this, we value.
