Exams

GCSE and A level examinations are public exams which have set start and end times dictated by the exam boards.

GCSE, A Level and Vocational examinations are public exams which have set start times dictated by the exam boards.

Morning exams start at 9.00am (students are expected onsite by 8:40am)

Afternoon exams start at 1:30pm (students are expected onsite at 1pm)

Lateness

If a students arrives late to an exam after the paper has already started, they may not be allowed to enter the exam room and sit the paper. It is imperative that all students arrive on time for exams. If you are going to be late, you must call the school office and explain why.

Sickness

If a student is ill on the day of an exam and is unable to attend, a parent or guardian must call the school to inform them before the start of exams. Evidence of sickness must be provided to the exams officer at the earliest opportunity so the relevant exam board can be notified of the reason for absence.

Exam room rules

Students must not communicate with any other student in the exam room. Students must not have any prohibited items in the exam room with them. This includes mobile phones, watches of any kind, notes etc. If a students is found to be in possession of any of these items, we are duty bound to inform the exam boards which could result in loss of marks for a qualification.

Students are not permitted to leave an exam room before the awarding body finish time.

Students are not permitted to take any food or drink into the exam room, with the exception of water which must be in a transparent drinks bottle.

Uniform during exam periods

Students are expected to wear full school uniform throughout the exams period. The exception to this may be when the weather is particularly warm when students are permitted to remove their ties and blazers.

A Level students should continue to follow the sixth form dress code throughout the exam season.

Equipment for exams

Students are expected to bring their own equipment to their exams. This should be carried in a transparent pencil case. The minimum expectations should be:

• 2 black pens
• Pencil
• Rubber
• Ruler

For exams such as science, maths, geography and business you will need a scientific calculator and geometry set.

Exam Preparation

In the lead up to public examinations students will have the opportunity to attend revision sessions for each subject. These may take place before school, at lunch time or after school. These are free of charge and of great use to students who may need extra support during the exam season.

Staff also run warm-up sessions before the start of an exam to prepare students and ensure they are present before line up. For morning exams warm-up sessions begin at 8:40am and afternoon exams 1pm.

Students should also be revising at home, even if they attend extended day and revision sessions at school. Staff work hard to teach students revision techniques that they can use at home so that students cam become more independent. For mor information on how you can support your child through exams at home, please visit:

Support - BBC Bitesize

Instructions for Candidates Video

Instructions for Candidates (2024/2025)

Link to JCQ information for candidates

Information for candidates documents - JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications

Ramadan and Exams

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has worked with a wide range of British Muslims to produce an information paper for schools and colleges to help the leadership team initiate discussions with Muslim students and their families on how best they can balance their Islamic obligations and do well in their exams.

We have selected some of the advice and guidance to share with parents of students observing Ramadan during this examination period.  We have been made aware of the flexibility of Islamic Law to delay or withdraw from fasting and late night prayers if it is believed performance in exams could be affected and that Islam does not require Muslim students to put their futures in jeopardy.  The report also states that Muslim students may “break the fast and make it up later if they feel fasting will in any way jeopardise their performance”.

The guidance asks that we inform students and their families that “extra devotions in Ramadan are voluntary; whereas for a child or young person to perform well in exam given their consequences is obligatory”.  It therefore recommends that where students have important exams they should not spend all night praying to avoid being tired and therefore unable to perform as well in their exams.  We would like to highlight that following government changes to A Level assessments exams for many subjects are now much longer than previously with students sitting 2 hour exams or longer which has not previously been the case.

If you are happy to let us know whether your son/daughter is fasting we can aim to support them by running their revision sessions in cooler classrooms/ensuring they are near fans and providing a quiet space for them to rest during the lunch break.