Announcement

Dear Parents and Carers,

Re: Preparation for Summer External Examinations Year 11 and Year 13

With many practical examinations taking place after the Easter holiday and the official examinations beginning on the 9th May 2024, it is essential that pupils in Year 11 and 13 continue with their focused preparations following feedback from their teachers after the recent mocks.

We know that it is a difficult time for them and in some cases, they will be finding the balance between school, home study and exams challenging. If you or your child requires any support with exam stress, please contact Ms Alphonse (Year 11), Mr Robson (Year 13) or the school safeguarding team at safeguarding@ecaterham.net.

Attendance & additional intervention sessions

Each day of full attendance at school is crucial to support your child’s success in these examinations and it is essential that you support your child to attend school on time every day. Teachers have clear and well-designed plans and resources to support your child in their revision in lessons and will be giving specific guidance and assistance to help them prepare.

Intervention sessions have been planned for the Easter Holiday and the May Half Term holiday. After school sessions for targeted pupils will begin once we return on Monday 15th April.

Every day of full attendance will help to increase their confidence as we count down to the start of external examinations. If your child has any issues with coming to school, please contact attendance@ecaterham.net or call the school on 02085514321.

Official Examinations Individual timetables will be provided to pupils outlining when their examinations will take place. There are generally two official start times each day: 9:00am and 1:30pm. Individual timetables will be provided to pupils outlining when their mock examinations will take place. Copies of these timetables will also be sent home electronically from https://schoolworkspace.co.uk/ - this is a genuine and safe email from the school and the link to the timetable that it contains can be opened. 

Pupils must ensure that they are present at their examination venue at least 20 minutes before the official start time so that they can be seated. To support our pupils, we will be providing free fruit and bottles of water before each exam, in addition to our normal free breakfast bagel offer each day.

Please note that public examinations cannot be rearranged, and any absence will lead to a non-result for each paper missed. Lateness and entry to examinations once they have begun is very strictly limited. 

All external examinations are subject to national JCQ regulations, and the school is responsible for ensuring that they, and their pupils, follow these rules. Further details on these regulations can be found on the school website under the examinations tab, https://www.ecaterham.net/3100/jcq-information-for-candidates - assemblies will be held for all pupils regarding these regulations but it is essential that they, and families, are familiar with them. 

Of particular importance are the rules regarding electronic equipment, this includes mobile phones, watches and earbuds that must not be taken into any examination venue. 

Pupils must continue to follow the school rules and leave these items in their bags outside the venue and will be screened with an electronic wand when entering each exam. Pupils are also reminded that they must continue to be in full school uniform when attending each exam and come prepared with all essential equipment needed for each subject examination.

Study Leave & pre-exam teaching

Study leave for Year 11 and Year 13 is likely to begin after the Summer Half Term in early June. The school will clarify arrangements with students, and this may vary according to individual students’ needs. 

From Monday 3rd June 2024, it is likely that Year 11 and 13 pupils will be studying from home for some periods of time, however we are still providing some compulsory sessions before exams, which they must attend, to support them with exam techniques and address questions they may have. 

It is essential that pupils continue to revise at home during this period. Earlier study leave may be granted to some pupils with prior notice or agreement. 

To further support pupils with their home study, teachers will be sharing resources via Microsoft Teams in addition to our other digital learning platforms such as Seneca, Sparx and Up Learn. Further guidance on how to best support your child with their revision at home can be found on our website at  https://www.ecaterham.net/908/key-stage-4-parents information and specific subject revision guides can also be found at https://www.ecaterham.net/3637/subject-revision guides . Attendance at any intervention or support session will also help your child in their preparations so please encourage them to take part in everything offered to them.

If you would like your child to carry out private study at school after May Half Term, please contact me at p.stubbs@ecaterham.net and I will organise an appropriate space for them to work.

Although the official timetabled examinations end on Friday 21st June 2024 there is a government assigned national contingency day on Wednesday 26th June. Pupils must be available to attend school until Wednesday 26th June 2024 - no holidays or travel can be planned until after this date. This is a government requirement of attendance at school. 

If you require any support with your child’s revision, college or university applications and future plans please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Results day for A Level and Level 3 Vocational courses is on Thursday 15th August and for GCSE and Level 2 Vocational courses is on Thursday 22nd August. We will be writing to you again later this term once the exams have been completed with further details of results day.

We are putting a lot of support in place for our pupils, and we would urge them, with your support, to engage with this support and to stay focused through this last phase before the exams. And of course, we wish your child the very best for their exams in the summer.

 

Mr P Stubbs - Assistant Headteacher Raising Standards & Outcomes