Exam Information

This letter contains a detailed summary of the upcoming Year 11 exam period between Monday 15th May and Wednesday 21st June. Before each individual week of exams, we will be sending out smaller, more specific summaries of what the week ahead will look like – initially, though, we wanted you to have full overview of what lies ahead for your child. 

We are so proud of the way in which so many of our Y11 students have continued to show a significant step up in their application as the year has progressed. Their commitment, resilience and dedication to their studies have been impressive and they have always listened to advice and been open to the support offered. It is our job as teachers to guide them in that, but we of course know that you will have played a significant role in how they have managed to navigate the year so far and all the challenges and opportunities that they have been presented with as KS4 students. So, we wanted to place on record our thanks to you. For every conversation you have had, to either cajole or console, and for your unwavering support of your child throughout the year. They are responsible for the incredible work ethic they show us every day, and for the outstanding results that are within their grasp as we enter the final stages of the year, but they are also a product of their environment, and your support will have had significant impact and will continue to do so. 

With this in mind, please have a careful look at our plans for Year 11 during the exam period and the final arrangements for our celebrations. We appreciate that there is a lot of information in this letter, so if you are still not sure on any aspect covered here, please do reach out to [email protected] FAO Y11 team.  

The following is split into three sections: Expectations during exam period; Exam routines; Full timetable of Exams. Please read each section carefully, preferably with your child.  

Expectations during exam period: Mon 15 May – Weds 21 June 

Uniform – normal JCA school uniform is expected during the exam period for every examination. Students must ensure they maintain high standards throughout.  

Attendance and punctuality – morning exams begin promptly at 09:00 and afternoon exams start at 13:00. This means that students must arrive at school for 08:35 as usual so that they have time to get to their exam in a calm and ordered manner. The school will be open to Year 11 students from 8am on many days for specific exam revision sessions, so we would expect to see them well before 08:35 on most days.  

Lessons during the exam period – students are expected to attend JCA full-time during their exam period (until their final day – see below section): when not taking exams, they will be in their normal timetabled lessons. Teachers will have worked backwards from their exam dates and prepared lessons that build up to exams meticulously – it is imperative that students don’t miss out on this. Where students have completed their exams in a subject, teachers will be providing bespoke work from other subjects – this time is vital for revision and students need to use it proactively. 

In some schools, Year 11 attendance can dip during exam periods (see below for an extract from a DfE report into the negative impact of lesson absence for Year 11 students). It is vital that students understand that being in all of their lessons is the first step they need to take towards being successful this summer. 

“Pupils who did not achieve grade 9 to 4 in English and Maths GCSEs had an overall absence rate of 8.8% over the key stage, compared with 5.2% among pupils who achieved a grade 4 and 3.7% among pupils who achieved grade 9 to 5 in both English and Maths” 

For more information please see here: Government attendance analysis 

Exam specific preparations – it is imperative that students are prepared for their examinations. They are expected to have a clear pencil case with equipment needed – including basics such as black pens, pencils, rubber, highlighters, rulers, a compass and protractor as well as a scientific calculator. By coming to their exams fully prepared, they take the first step in empowering themselves to be successful. 

Students will be reminded before every exam, but it is vital that you are also aware: any breach of exam guidelines (for example, having a phone in their pocket during an exam, even if unused) is likely to result in a score of 0 (and therefore a U grade) for the exam in question, and could have consequences for every single one of their GCSEs depending on the severity of the breach. It is important you discuss this with your child – by being more prepared in advance they will be able to focus on their exam performance each day.   

Exam revision sessions – as mentioned in the Attendance and Punctuality section, there will be support sessions before and after school most days in support of upcoming exams (the timetable for this will be sent out as part of our detailed weekly communication). For morning sessions, students will need to arrive to the main reception at 08:00 (late arrival may result in a significant wait for members of staff to let the students into the building), sign in, and will be directed to the support spaces available. After school sessions will run from 15:15-16:00. 

Leaving date – Year 11 will finish attending their timetabled lessons on Friday 16th June and will only then be expected into school for exams and exam support sessions after that date. They will also have their leavers’ assembly on this date.  This is to ensure students receive high quality teaching for as long as possible in support of their exams as well as their potential future studies– as mentioned above, 100% attendance up to 16th June gives students the best chance to be successful. 

Revision support – teachers will be speaking regularly with students about what revision they should be doing to best prepare for their upcoming exams. If your child is ever in the position where they say they are unsure of what to revise for a subject, please email [email protected] immediately FAO of the subject teacher – this should not be a position that students are in.  

The school website has a revision section for KS4 students (here) that students have access to as well as paper resources from lessons, their exercise books and folders with revision work and online resources such as Seneca, BBC Bite Size and Dr Frost for Maths.    

Please support your child by ensuring they have a quiet place to revise and that they avoid any distractions during their revision time like television, mobiles, and other electronic devices. 1 hour of quality revision will beat 4 hours without focus. 

Students have all created revision timetables with their tutors and may need support in monitoring their progress through those. We would always recommend revision in 30 minute chunks: 25 minutes working, 5minutes resting, repeat. 

Exam Routines 

Morning exams will be starting at 9:00 promptly and students will need to be in the correct space by 8:40 to ensure we are not delayed in any way.  

Afternoon exams will be starting at 13:00 promptly and students will be directed to their space from 12:40, straight after lunch. 

Any students arriving late to an exam will be held and will enter with any other students who have missed the start as a small group to minimise disruption to those who have already started their exam. 

Sports hall  

Students will be lining up on the Astro court by the sports hall and will enter the hall in rows according to the seating plan of each exam. They must ensure they have turned off their mobile phone, removed watches and headphones and placed them in their bags prior to entering the exam space (as mentioned previously, consequences are significant if they do not abide by this). Once they enter the exam space, they must remain silent and must not leave their seat without permission. Their exam papers may be voided if they do not follow the examination rules set by JCQ.  Any breach of the rules must be reported to the relevant exam board.  

Separate venue  

If students take their exam in a separate venue they will assemble in the outdoor space between A and B wing. This will be on their timetable, and they should be used to these routines from the mock exams, however, if they are unsure, they should speak to a member of the year 11 team.   

They must ensure they have turned off their mobile phone, removed watches and headphones and placed them in their bags prior to entering the exam space. Once they enter the exam space, they must remain silent and must not leave their seat without permission. Their exam papers may be voided if they do not follow the examination rules set by JCQ.    

Students in both exam venues will hear exactly the same message before the start of the exams to ensure equity. 

Water, breakfast and snacks  

Students should bring a refillable water bottle to school – this must be clear and have no labels. They cannot eat in the exam space but should ensure they have had a good breakfast and snacks, if needed, for maintaining energy levels across the day.  Students should avoid energy drinks containing high levels of sugar and caffeine as these are likely to have a detrimental effect on a student’s ability to perform in an exam.  

Sleep  

It is important that students do not work for hours into the night, cramming for an exam the following day. They should build an effective bedtime routine so that they are able to get the appropriate amount of sleep required to be able to maintain energy levels across the 6 week exam period.   

Illness  

If your child is significantly unwell during the exam period, you must contact us immediately. We have a process which will be followed. It is, however, imperative that you understand that minor illness does not constitute a reason for missing and exam in the eyes of JCQ – we would only expect students to miss exams in extreme circumstances. 

A reminder of key dates:  

Exams begin on Monday 15th May and the final planned exam is on Wednesday 21st June  

Students must attend all lessons in full uniform until Friday 16th June  

They will then attend for exams and revision sessions only between Monday 19th June and Wednesday 21st June. 

We will be in touch about Leavers’ assembly and Prom in due course.