Year 11 Exams – Key Messages & FAQs
Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you for all of your ongoing efforts to support your child with their preparations for the upcoming final Summer examinations and to those of you who attended the online event last week. I am aware that this is a challenging time for you as much as it is for the students and so I wanted to write to relay all of the key messages and answer any lingering questions you may have.
Who are the primary contacts during the examinations?
Josh Hocking – Assistant Principal josh.hocking@clf.uk
Emma Marler – Year 11 Pastoral Lead emma.marler@clf.uk
Sara Partridge – Exams Officer Sara.partridge@clf.uk
Kath Cooper – Principal kath.cooper@clf.uk
Rebecca Thorpe – Vice Principal Rebecca.Tushingham @clf.uk
Contingency Days
These days are reserve exam dates in case an exam was cancelled nationally for any reason. Whilst they are highly unlikely to be needed, Wednesday 24th June (all day) is the allocated date for this year’s examinations. The 24th June is after exams conclude so please ensure that students are available to attend, even if the likelihood is low.
‘Big lessons’
Students’ timetables will be slightly adjusted as we enter the examinations. The day prior to each exam, where practical we have rescheduled their timetables so that they receive input from that subject. This is a great way to tackle any last-minute lingering questions and ensure students enter that exam as ready as they can be. This will be communicated to students through tutor time.
When should they arrive and what should they wear?
Students must be on site by 8:30am (the same as a usual school day) but ideally earlier. Gates are open from 8:15am where they will sign in and can have a banana and some water! They are welcome to go and speak to their subject Teacher upon arrival to ask any last-minute questions. (These staff will be based in the Foyer area). Full school uniform must be worn in every exam and leavers hoodies are not accepted. Students will be instructed to attend tutor time as normal to ensure they are signed in appropriately and get their attendance mark.
What happens if your child is ill on the day of an exam?
In the first instance, if you feel your child can 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 school 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’s hotline. You will need to get some medical evidence to prove the illness (a Doctors note) and share this with our exams lead Sara Partridge (email at the top of this letter).
You are running late for an exam. What do you do?
Telephone the school and use the extension described above to go straight through to the exams hotline. When you arrive, go straight to reception and explain that you are late. Our exams officer will give you all the relevant instructions from there.
What must my child not bring into an exam?
All electronic devices and watches (digital or analogue) are strictly prohibited. They need to be left in our bag storage areas (students are well drilled with where these are for each room). Possession of any of these items in an exam could result in disqualification from your exam and potentially that overall qualification.
What should my child bring to school?
Students can only bring a clear pencil case and a transparent bottle of water with no labels into the examination room. It is important however that students bring lots of healthy food in for their break and lunchtime. Bananas are particularly great brain food and shown to improve concentration so we would recommend these!
What happens if the fire or lockdown alarm sounds during an exam?
Students must follow our usual procedures in this instance and listen to invigilators instructions.
My child does not have an exam on a given day. Do they still need to attend the academy?
Yes. Not attending will mean their attendance record is reduced, and they will miss vital revision input from their subject Teachers.
A subject has had their exam/s. Does my child need to attend?
Yes. These subjects will be a great place to complete additional revision for other exams yet to be taken. Many subjects are providing physical copies as well as electronic revision resources. Students should come to school with these to ensure their revision is most purposeful in these sessions.
When does my child finish their time at Hanham Woods Academy?
The final examination takes place on Tuesday 16th June, however the official last day has not yet been confirmed. (Historically students have been able to leave site after the physics exam on the Monday but I will confirm this nearer the time).
Thank you for all of your support to date and if you any questions then please contact me or the year 11 team anytime. I will be in contact again as we progress through the exams with further updates.
Kind regards
Mr Josh Hocking | Assistant Principal
