10 May 2024
Dear Year 11 parents and families,
Arrangements around the GCSE exam series
This morning was the first whole cohort written GCSE exam paper, and with the RPE paper 1 completed yesterday we are now well under way. We have been so proud to see a huge turnout of students arriving for their 8.00am ‘Toast It’ sessions this week. These are sessions designed to reassure any exam nerves, pass on final words of advice and for students to get ‘in the zone’ before entering the exam hall. Please do encourage your child to attend all available sessions.
Examination Timetable and Seating Plans
Each student has been given their own individual examination timetable. You may like to look through it with your child to ensure your child is as well prepared as possible. If your child loses their exam timetable, they should speak to Mr Cammish, Mrs Husband, or Ms Moore (our exams officer) as soon as possible. The seating plans are posted in the exams noticeboard in the PE corridor, if your child remains in any doubt as to where they should sit.
Study Leave
Students must attend school full time until the final cohort exam, which is a Science exam on Friday 14 June 2024. There will be no leavers’ events before this date. We will be adapting the timetable, as we proceed through the exam season, to make sure students are spending as much time as possible with the specialist teachers of their remaining exams. Whilst we understand that the exam season can be stressful for young people, we know that young people benefit hugely from being with their friends and teachers during this time.
Students with exams after 14 June will be expected to attend final preparation sessions in the week commencing Monday 17 June. Further details of this adaptive timetable will follow from the Year 11 team, in due course.
Lessons in ‘The Final Countdown’
Our teachers have planned with great precision the content of their remaining lessons with their classes. Students are being re-taught topics which were weak areas in the PPE/mock exams or that are frequently assessed topics. They are practicing exam technique and receiving feedback from their teachers. They are not completing independent revision. It is essential that students spend these final hours with their teachers. We expect independent revision to be completed at home or in after-school sessions.
For further information on supporting your child at home during this period, please do refer to previous letters from Mr Cammish, on the school website. If you would like to discuss your child’s preparation in more detail, please contact their tutor in the first instance.
Leavers’ Events
Our students are currently collecting stamps in their Prom Passports, to get money off and other bonuses. The prom is scheduled for Thursday 20 June 2024. Mr Cammish will be writing with further details, imminently. We will confirm the details of the leavers’ assembly and leavers’ hoodies a little nearer the time. At present, it is imperative that we maintain a calm, purposeful routine with as few distractions as possible, so that all students can focus on doing their very best in the examinations.
Thank you for your continuing efforts; supporting, calming and motivating your children.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs H. Jones
Principal
