'Will this be on the exam?' Teaching what really matters: Accelerating A-level learning by combining high-impact strategies – mastery learning and metacognition – to make time for student enrichment and development.

This case study focuses on integrating the Education Endowment Foundation’s (EEF) evidence-based strategies—mastery learning and metacognition—into A-level Psychology teaching at Bootham School to create time for academic enrichment and independent research within a demanding curriculum. By tailoring these approaches to the AQA Psychology course, the program aims to improve student confidence, exam performance, and transferable skills such as critical thinking and research competence. Outcomes include consistent value-added academic gains (+0.35 mean value-added over 2014–2024) and positive student engagement in enrichment activities like conducting ethical research projects. The approach emphasizes building trust with students and parents, fostering a shared vision among teachers, and balancing exam preparation with deeper exploration of psychology beyond core content.