Exams
Year 11 students are now in the final stages of their GCSE studies and will shortly be taking their final examinations, which commence in May 2024. Students should now be completing regular revision and examination practice using a revision timetable to organise their time in order to support them in being successful.
We would like to advise you of several points concerning the GCSE examinations:
a. Students must arrive for examinations at the following times:
Morning examinations - 8..25am for an 9.00am start
Afternoon examinations - 12.30pm for a 1.00pm start
Please note, that students will be following a normal school day with normal timings throughout the exam period and will not be on study leave. However, where there are specific individual circumstances that may mean study leave may be appropriate this will be considered on a case by case basis.
Students have been issued with individual timetables, which show their candidate number and seat number for each examination. This should be kept in a safe place and should be brought to each examination. Seat numbers will also be displayed outside the entrance to the examination room.
b. Most examinations will take place in the Sports Hall, but some examinations will be scheduled in other rooms. Please refer to individual timetables nearer the time which show the location of each exam..
c. Once instructed to enter the examination room, students should ensure that they remain silent, and quickly take their seats.
d. There are strict rules governing behaviour in examinations and examination boards reserve the right to withdraw ALL papers taken by a student found to be engaging in unfair practice. Notices concerning behaviour will be displayed prominently both outside and inside examination rooms.
e. Once an examination has started, students will only be allowed to leave the room before the end of the examination in the most extreme cases (eg. illness). Toilet visits are strongly encouraged before exams so that students do not miss any of their allocated examination time visiting the toilet. Where students have medical conditions that mean regular toilet visits are required we can make appropriate arrangements.
f. Drinking water will be allowed in exams and students should bring their own water in a suitable clear bottle, without any labels. Bottles with labels or coloured bottles will not be permitted.
g. Students must be present, in good time for all examinations. In the unlikely event that a student is ill and unable to attend an examination, it is important that you let the academy know immediately. For all medical absences you must obtain a medical certificate from your doctor and hand this in to the Academy within 48 hours of the examination. There is no provision by examination boards for the examination to be taken at another time so it is important that examinations are not missed. Grades can be adversely affected by missed examinations
h. If a student fails to turn up for an examination to which they are entered, you will be asked to pay the entry fee for that examination. Additionally, any student missing an examination, other than for certified illness as above, may not be allowed to attend the Prom or the Year 11 Celebration Day.
i. Please keep any belongings you bring to the examination to a minimum. Bags will be stored outside the examination rooms during the GCSE exam sessions. A calculator is essential for Mathematics, Science, Geography and Business Studies and you should bring your own scientific one with you as only basic standard ones will be provided by the Academy.
j. Ideally, mobile phones, any type of wrist watch and any other electrical devices should be left at home. Otherwise they should be switched off and left in bags. Please note, watches must not be worn in examinations. If a phone rings whilst in a student pocket, it is very likely that the student will be disqualified from that examination and possibly others. Lanyards should also be worn.
Collection of GCSE Certificates
Certificates will be available for collection from the academy from November 2023 onwards.
Alternatively, please leave a first class stamped, self-addressed envelope with the examinations staff or arrange for a close friend or relative to collect the results. Please give written details to the Examinations Office before the end of the examination period. The relative or close friend will be asked to show proof of identity.
Please note that results will not be given out over the telephone or emailed.
Exam Rules
Punctuality
Ensure that you arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the exam. There is no guarantee that you will be admitted to an exam if you arrive after it has started. If you are too ill to attend, you must telephone the academy before 08.30 for a morning exam and before 12.30 for an afternoon exam. A doctor’s note will be necessary if you miss any of the papers. If you do not attend and cannot provide the academy with a doctor’s certificate, you will fail that component and, probably, the whole subject.
Equipment
Ensure that you have all the necessary equipment, especially for Maths and Science. This will avoid delays and disruption at the start of the exam. ONLY PENS WITH BLACK INK ARE ALLOWED FOR ALL EXAMINATIONS. You may not take any notes or scrap paper into the examination room. If you require another answer booklet or are unsure as to what you must do, put your hand up and wait for a member of staff to come to your assistance. You must not call the invigilators. Only ‘see-through’ pencil cases are allowed on desks. Clear plastic bags are an acceptable alternative. You may also have one see through plastic bottle with sports cap containing water (with no label). You are not allowed to take in packets/tubes of sweets or packets of tissues. Smart watches aren't allowed but analogue and digital watches are but must be placed on the desks and remain there until candidates are dismissed. Candidates must bring their own calculators, the academy will not provide them, Exceptions to this are if the calculators break during the exam. Pockets must be empty and nothing written on hands.
MOBILE PHONES, MP3, IPODS, SMART WATCHES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC STORAGE DEVICES ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE EXAM ROOM. POSSESSION OF ANY OF THESE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE SWITCHED ON OR OFF, IS A BREACH OF JCQ REGULATIONS AND COULD RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE PAPER AND POSSIBLY FROM THE ENTIRE EXAM SERIES.
Coats and Bags
Coats and bags are not allowed at desks. You will be instructed as to where to leave these by the invigilators.
JCQ Regulations
Familiarise yourself with the exam board’s regulations which are issued by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). This has been issued to you. Ensure that you read them carefully. If you are involved in any malpractice you could be disqualified from all of your examinations.
Uniform
You will not be permitted into an examination room unless you are wearing full academy uniform.
Seating Arrangements
A seating plan will be put up in advance of the exam. The candidates need to check and remember their seat number. The exam desks are labelled accordingly. Candidates must not remove or deface the numbers or change seats.
Leaving the Examination Room
You may not leave the examination room until instructed to do so at the end of the examination. Please leave quietly as there may be still be examinations going on.
