The Flagpole

Key dates in the reporting and examinations cycle for the first half of the Lent term are:

· 7  Jan – January public exam season begins; this includes IGCSE Maths for some candidates, BTEC L3 exams & L1 Latin. All pupils involved have been issued with their personal timetable

· 24 Jan – Mock exam reports published for Year 11 and Upper Sixth pupils

· 31 Jan – Progress Reports published for Year 9 pupils

· 7  Feb  – Full Report published for Year 10 pupils

External Examinations:

January 2020 - Results for these examinations will be published on Thursday 5 March 2020.

Summer 2020 - the exam timetable was amended by JCQ in November. If you downloaded the previous version please delete it and download the updated one which can be viewed by clicking here.

Please note the examination contingency day of Wednesday 24 June 2020. In the unlikely event that there is national disruption to a day of examinations causing a last-minute change to the timetable, all candidates must be available up to and including this date.

Entries for these examinations will be made in January 2020. As soon as pupils have checked and confirmed their entries, their individual exam timetable will be distributed.

Exam Subject Specifications and Awarding Bodies:

If you’re buying revision guides it’s important to choose the correct one for the specification being followed in school. The documents below show the exam board and specification code for each subject for GCSE and A-level.

NB: The exam details for GCSE PE are OCR J587, this has been updated on the GCSE document below.

GCSE

A-level

Shellagh Dodds
Examinations and Assessment Manager

If your son or daughter is studying for their GCSEs or A-levels they would have just sat mock exams and their mock results will be arriving.  Click here to read further how can you now support your child when they get their results.

Tuesday 14 January 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

The Lower Sixth Parents’ Evening takes place on Tuesday 14 January from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sports Hall.

We will provide two supervised areas where siblings can wait whilst you and your son or daughter meet with the teaching staff. There will be a film screening in one room and for those looking for a quieter environment a second area will be provided where they can relax or study.

Please make sure to arrive by 7.30pm at the latest. Parents arriving later than that may not be able to see all the relevant teachers before the event closes at 8.30pm.  Please leave the building by the main entrance to The Limes and sign out at the exit as you leave.

Here is some additional information that you may find helpful:

• Parking will be available on the school playground
• Please enter the Limes building through the main entrance only
• Please ensure you sign in and collect your name badge from the reception desk before entering the Sports Hall
• There is no appointment system. You should allow approximately five minutes per teacher – a timer will sound every five minutes to assist with keeping discussions within this timeframe.  

We look forward to seeing you.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Year 11 and Upper Sixth Mock Exam Reports will be published to the parent portals on Friday 24 January 2020.  Once published, you will receive an email notification advising that the reports are available to view on My School Portal.

For Year 11 parents, there will be an opportunity to discuss your child’s report at the forthcoming Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Monday 27 January 2020.

We look forward to seeing you then.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Monday 27 January 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

The Year 11 Parents’ Evening takes place on Monday, 27 January from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sports Hall.  Do please bring your Year 11 son or daughter with you if at all possible – it is most beneficial if parent, pupil and teacher can all be present and be part of the conversation.

We will continue to offer the option of a two course supper for you and your family, at a cost of £2 per head, and served across three sittings, 5.30pm to 6.00pm, 6.00pm to 6.30pm and 6.30pm to 7.00pm. Supper will be served in the Refectory.

We will also provide two supervised areas where siblings can wait whilst you meet with the teaching staff. There will be a film screening in one room and for those looking for a quieter environment, a second area will be provided where they can relax.

To help us with the smooth running of Parents’ Evening and so that we can cater efficiently we would be grateful if everyone who would like to book for supper could complete the RSVP form by clicking here no later than 10.00am on Wednesday, 22 January.

Please make sure to arrive by 7.30pm at the latest. Parents arriving later than that may not be able to see all the relevant teachers before the event closes at 8.30pm.  Please leave the building by the main entrance to The Limes and sign out at the exit as you leave.

Here is some additional information that you may find helpful:

• Parking will be available on the school playground
• Please enter the Limes building through the main entrance only
• Please ensure you sign in and collect your name badge from the reception desk before entering the Sports Hall
• There is no appointment system. You should allow approximately five minutes per teacher – a timer will sound every five minutes to assist with keeping discussions within this timeframe.

We look forward to seeing you.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Tuesday 4 February 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

Parents are reminded that the Year 9 Parents’ Evening takes place on Tuesday 4 February from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sports Hall. This is a crucial chance to discuss your son or daughter’s academic progress with their subject teachers after the mock exams.  

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Reports for Year 10 will be posted out on Friday 7 February 2010. They will also be available to view on My School Portal.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Year 11 pupils taking an MFL iGCSE will have a timetabled mock speaking exam w/c Monday 10 February.  Pupils taking Spanish will have their exam Monday to Wednesday of that week and those taking French on the Thursday or Friday.  Pupils taking German will have their exam on Tuesday 11 February.

All MFL pupils will be expected to practise little and often between now and their mock oral, using all the resources shared with them by their teachers. They have a booklet of questions and will also need to choose a photo to describe.  This will form part of their homework in the lead up to the mock oral. Pupils are encouraged to come to the clinics on a Wednesday lunchtime or Thursday after school for extra support.

Stella Keenan
Head of MFL

Thursday 13 February 2020

On Thursday 13 February, the GCSE Options Information Evening is being held in the Sports Hall at 7.00pm. The evening comprises a series of short presentations on the options process followed by an opportunity for parents to meet with subject staff. Light refreshments will be available. The purpose of the GCSE Options Information Evening is to provide parents with sufficient information regarding the options process so that they can help their son or daughter decide their GCSE options.

Prior to this, the Year 9 Parents’ Evening will be held on Tuesday 4 February between 6.00pm and 8.30pm. The Parents’ Evening will enable you to discuss the progress of your son or daughter with subject staff.  This academic feedback can then prepare you to think about GCSE choices prior to the Information Evening taking place on 13 February.  

After half term, on Monday 2 March 2020, the Year 9 and 10 Academic Review Evening will then provide you the opportunity to meet with your child's tutor and discuss the next steps.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning