Year 11 GCSE Exam Information
Dear Parents/Carers,
Thank you for your ongoing support with Year 11 and navigating what is a challenging and emotional time for them. Following my recent letter to you all regarding key information, I know there have been a few questions which I hope to resolve below.
Study Leave
Students have designated ‘big lessons’ in their subjects prior to each exam which have been designed to be exam focused, address any lingering questions and ensure students go into that exam absolutely ready to give it their best. Study leave is therefore not something we or any other school within the Cabot Learning Federation offer.
Official ‘Last Day’
The final examination takes place on Wednesday 18th June 2025; however, the official last day has been confirmed as Monday 16th June. All students have a Physics exam that morning and will be able to leave site after this (approximately 10:30 / 11:00) unless they have a big lesson in Spanish, Food Technology or Music. If this is the case, then they will be expected to remain on site to attend these sessions to help prepare for their exams in these subjects.
Illness During the School Day
Until the 16th June any student absence for non-medical reasons will be recorded as unauthorised. We are unable to respond to telephone or email requests during the day for students to sign out of the Academy to study at home as we expect students to remain on site until 3pm everyday unless they are feeling too unwell to be in lessons. In these incidences support will be provided by the pastoral team and contact will be made with parents/carers in a timely fashion. If a student is unwell then we will ask for you to come in and collect your child. If you are unable to do so then they will remain on site until the end of the day and be supported by the Year 11 Team. A phone call direct to student mobiles/texts to student mobiles as consent to leave site is not an accepted channel of communication.
Illness on the Day of an Exam
In the first instance, if you feel your child is able to come in to complete the exam then we would recommend this happens. If, however, your child is physically unable to do this, you must let the Academy know as soon as is practical. Call the Academy first thing in the morning, press option 1 and then enter 1442 as the extension to leave a message on the exam hotline. You will need to get some medical evidence to prove the illness (a doctor’s note) and share this with our Exams Office, Mrs Sara Partridge at [email protected]
If your child has been unwell and come in to complete their exam, then we are able to let them leave site following the exam. It is essential, however, that this is agreed in advance with both myself ([email protected]) and Kelly Thorne, Year 11 Pastoral Lead ([email protected]) so please email us in that instance if you would like this to happen.
Thanks again for all of the support and keep encouraging your child. They will really value your support in what is a vital part of their school journey.
Mr Josh Hocking | Year 11 Academic Lead
