Exams

There are lots of resources designed to turn exam pressure into peak performance.

The Candidate Exams Handbook is there to make sure you're ready for your exams. Please make sure you read it thoroughly. You can find the Candidate Exams Handbook for 2026 here:

Candidate Exams Handbook

You can find the 2026 Exams Timetable here:

Summer 2026 Exam Timetable

IMPORTANT:

Contingency Day 2026

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) requires all pupils to be available, up to and including the contingency day, in case any exams need to be rescheduled due to unforeseeable circumstances.

The contingency day for the summer 2026 season is:

Wednesday, 24th June 2026 (all day)

What's Permitted in the Exam Hall?

You can only bring authorised materials into the exam room.

You're allowed to bring your own equipment to exams. However, there will be equipment provided.

As a minimum, the clear pencil cases we provide will include:

Black pens;
Pencils;
An eraser;
A highlighter;
A ruler.

If permitted in exams, the academy will also ensure you have access to:

A protractor;
A compass;
A Calculator;
Tracing paper.

You must write in black ink. The exam papers are scanned to be marked so they must be able to read what has been written.

You must not use any of the following:

Correcting pens, fluid or tape.
Erasable pens/friction pens or highlighters (highlighters can be used in printed questions).
Gel pens.

Any pencil cases must be transparent.

You are allowed to bring water into the exam hall. Any other drinks are prohibited.

Water bottles must be transparent and have no label, writing or measurements on them.

You may use coloured pens or inks when the exam allows them for diagrams, maps, charts etc. The instructions at the front of the paper will indicate if these are allowed.

We cannot stress enough the importance of not bringing into an exam room any unauthorised material or equipment. Unauthorised items include:

Mobile phones;
MP3/4 players;
Any watch (Smart or not!);
Smart glasses or any other smart device;
iPods;
Any other similar electronic devices;
Electronic earphones/earbuds or Air pods;
Notes and study guides;
Your own blank paper;
Dictionaries, unless permitted in the exam;
Miscellaneous items such as make-up, lip gloss/balm, bus passes, money and keys, reports and exam timetables (leave these items in your bag).

We strongly advise that pupils do not bring these items into school at all. This will ensure that you do not accidently bring unauthorised items into an examination room. Remember, malpractice is malpractice, even if it's accidental.

A copy of the JCQ ‘Warning to Candidates’ and ‘Information for Candidates’ will be located outside each examination room and copies are enclosed in the candidate handbook. Please read this guidance thoroughly.

Please note any candidate that attempts to break any of the examination rules or regulations may be disqualified from some or maybe all subjects.

The school must report any breach of regulations to the Awarding Body.

Exam Room Conditions

From the moment they enter the exam room, you are under formal exam conditions until you are given permission to leave.

You must not talk to, attempt to communicate with or disturb other candidates once they have entered the examination room. If you do, it must be reported to the relevant awarding body.

Looking around and smiling at other candidates counts as communication, so please always face the front.

Pupils should find their seat quickly and silently. There will be letters and numbers on the walls to help pupils find the row they will be sitting in. Invigilators will help pupils find their seat. Do not ask another candidate.

Candidates must listen to and follow the instructions of the invigilator at all times in the exam room.

Unauthorised Absence

If a pupil does not attend any part of an external exam for which they have been entered, they will receive a mark of zero for that paper. No opportunity to retake the exam will be provided.

Please note that misreading/misunderstanding the timetable will not be accepted as a satisfactory reason for absence.

Illness & Late Arrival

Illness

It is very important that you attend school for all exams unless they are seriously ill.

In the event that you are extremely unwell and cannot attend the exam, a parent/carer must contact us immediately. Medical evidence to confirm the illness must be provided.

If you feel unwell during an exam, raise your hand. An invigilator will help you.

If you feel unwell before the exam starts, you're advised to tell the Exams Officer so that they're aware of the situation and the invigilators can be advised.

The date and time of the exam is set by the exam board so that all pupils across the country sit the exam at the same time. We cannot change the date of the exam. However, we may be able to put an alternative arrangement in place to enable you to still sit your exam. You must try to come in!

Only in exceptional circumstances would you be allowed special consideration for absence from any part of an exam. Whenever an application is made for Special Consideration, it is essential that medical, or other appropriate evidence, is obtained on the day by the candidate/parent and given to the Examinations Officer without delay.

Arriving Late

It is your responsibility to be on time for every exam.

Should you arrive late for an exam, you should report straight to reception and sign in.

Very late arrivals (after 1hr) have to be reported, and a reason for the lateness provided to the exam board. The pupil will be asked for specific information as to why they were late. It's up to the awarding bodies to decide if the paper will be marked or if the late pupil will be disqualified. Don't let this be you!