Examination Information

As we progress through the academic year, I need your support in reminding students that all work submitted as part of their PSA, coursework, or other assessed work must be their own.

We have had an increased number of pupils who are trying to submit work that is potentially copied from the internet, textbooks, or other resources, including other students' work. The use of AI is also becoming a concern, as pupils are using this technology to complete written tasks for them.

If a member of staff suspects that work submitted is not the pupil's own, particularly where it does not reflect their normal standard of work, pupils will be challenged in regard to plagiarism.

Please remind students that plagiarism is classed by examination boards as malpractice, which can result in pupils receiving a 0 for that piece of work. This can have significant implications for the student's overall grade. Examination boards are also able to disqualify students from the whole qualification due to malpractice, following an investigation.

Students can continue to reference other people's work within sections of their own work; however, this must be referenced correctly.

Examination boards use several different pieces of software that are designed to identify plagiarism. Therefore, it is important that pupils do not run the risk and ensure that all work submitted is their own.

If you have any questions/queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Examinations Officer by email.

All absences must be reported to either the Attendance Department or Head of Year/Pastoral Support

Absence from an Examination - Students are required to attend all examinations and should ensure that they arrive on time and are prepared. If a student is unable to attend an examination for any reason, the school muct be contacted immediately. Do not try and contact the Exams Officer regarding an absence as they are unlikely to be in their office on exam mornings. 

Unauthorised absence

If a student fails to attend an examination without an acceptable reason, the school will charge the candidate for the entry fee associated with that examination.

This includes absence due to personal arrangements, such as:

• Family holidays
• Weddings or other family events
• Pre-Arranged Medical or other appointments
• Other avoidable personal commitments

Examinations should not be missed for these reasons.

Illness

If a student is unwell on the day of an exam but is well enough to sit the exam then still come in, but be sure to inform the Exams Officer either in Person or via email. 

If a student is unable to attend an examination because they are too unwell, please contact the school as soon as possible.

The school may require medical evidence, to support an application for special consideration or to demonstrate the reason for the student's absence. The awarding organisation will determine whether the circumstances meet the relevant criteria.

Serious or exceptional circumstances

Awarding organisations may consider Special Consideration Applications where a student is unable to attend an examination because of serious and exceptional circumstances beyond their control. 

Where appropriate, the school may submit an application to the awarding organisation, supported by relevant evidence. Please see the Special Consideration Application Page for further information. 

Important: Each application is considered by the relevant awarding organisation and is not automatically accepted. Students should always contact the school immediately if they are unable to attend an examination.

Whilst we do not generally advise students to resit any GCSEs, especially when they reach Year 11, we understand that for some students this may be in their best interests, especially if they require certain Grades for Further Education. 

Resits are charged at the entry cost + an admin fee and this can not be refunded if you change your mind.

We ask that you speak to the Head of the Department in the first instance.

If you wish to resit any exams from Summer 2027 please complete the GCSE Exam Resit form.

If you need any support or guidiance plase contact the Exams Officer.

When is the Examination Contingency Day?

Wednesday 23rd June 2027

What is the Examination Contingency Day?

The Examination Contingency Day is a date set by the awarding organisations each year as a precautionary measure. It provides a designated date on which examinations may be scheduled in the event that an examination cannot take place as originally planned due to a major national or local disruption.

The contingency day is not an alternative examination date that students can choose to use, and it does not mean that the school can simply move an examination to this date.

 

Important – Students must remain available

Students must be available to sit examinations on the contingency day.

The contingency day is part of the published examination timetable, and students should not make holiday, travel, work, medical or other personal arrangements that would prevent them from attending if an examination were required on this date.

 

Can my examination be moved to the contingency day?

No – not simply because you are unable to attend your scheduled examination.

The school cannot choose to move an individual student's examination to the contingency day because of a holiday, appointment, personal commitment, travel arrangements or other reasons.

The contingency day is intended to be used only in circumstances permitted by the awarding organisations, such as significant disruption to the examination timetable.

 

What if I am unable to attend my examination?

If you are unable to attend an examination, please check the Absent From Exams section above.

Your circumstances will be considered in accordance with the relevant examination regulations. Depending on the circumstances, the school may be able to apply for Special Consideration, where the relevant criteria are met.

Being unavailable on the original examination date does not mean that your examination will automatically be moved to the contingency day.

 

IMPORTANT: THE CONTINGENCY DAY IS NOT A "BACK-UP" EXAM DAY FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS

Students must not assume that an examination can be moved to the contingency day if they are unable to attend their scheduled examination.

Please keep the contingency day free and remain available for examinations until the examination season has officially ended.