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Examinations Information

Here you can find all the essential information required regarding the examinations process.

Great Marlow School makes every effort to ensure that students receive the best possible preparation for their external exams, internal assessments and tests. Assessments are conducted in a way that causes as little undue stress as possible, so that students achieve their full potential.

In all public examinations and their mocks, students receive an individual paper timetable for their exam series: a copy of the full timetable is published on the website.

Students are briefed before all exams and assessments on the rules, regulations and guidance issued by the Joint Council for Qualifications, (JCQ).

The website is updated to reflect the changing information as soon as it is received.

Please note, the dates and times of examinations are different every year, please make sure the information you view is for the correct year and correct examination series. Questions and queries should be addressed to the Examinations Officer. The telephone number and email are below.

Telephone: 01628 483752

E-mail: exams@gms.bucks.sch.uk

Should there be a problem on the day of the examination, it is best to contact the school reception on 01628 483752 and leave a message: the main priority for the Examinations Officer will be starting the examination session on time.

Information for Candidates and Parent/Carers

For the return of school books and equipment at the end of the examination period; Students will have been informed by subject departments of the arrangements for the return of books etc. Please ensure that all textbooks and equipment are returned to school promptly.

About Examinations

In Great Marlow School formal assessments, like mock examinations and end of series examinations: GCSEs, A-levels. BTECs and T-levels are held in the school hall and the Sixth Form study area. Arrangements are made by the SEN Department for students who require alternative access arrangements. Timetables for examinations are published on the website, in addition, students are given an examination timetable for mocks, and end of series GCSEs and A-levels. Teachers are conscientious in giving precise details about equipment, books and use of calculators allowed in the examination halls for their papers. All students are responsible for ensuring that they bring everything they need to the examination. It is not the school’s responsibility to provide equipment.

Who is responsible for conducting the examination protocol?

The Examinations Officer is responsible for administering all examination arrangements and for overseeing students during examinations, under the direct responsibility of the Head of Centre, the Headteacher.

There is a team of adult invigilators, who are present during the exams and who are supervised by the Examination Officer.

Who is entered for Exams?

It is school policy to enter every student, who is being taught a subject, for the most appropriate level of examination. Only by exception, after consultation with parents and carers, and with the written consent of the Headteacher, will a student’s examination entry be revised.

What information will students receive about their entries?

When  entries are uploaded on the school’s computer system, students receive a statement of entry detailing the subjects and tiers for which they have been entered. This should be checked and all errors or problems reported to the Examinations Officer.

Once the examination boards have received entries, a formal Statements of Entry is issued showing the name of the board, subject name and code. These should be checked and kept by the student as proof of entry.  This must be brought to each examination as an additional check that they have been entered for the correct examination. Students are issued with updated statements if the entries made for them change.

Where are the examinations held?

Examinations are held in the main hall and the Sixth Form study room. Students are asked to be in school 20 minutes before the advertised start time, to enable seating procedures to be carried out efficiently, and to allow for any unforeseen room changes. They are asked to line up in the canteen or wait quietly outside the allocated room until invited to enter. Where a student sits is determined by their student number, which appears on all statements of entry and timetable. The student is required to sit at the desk bearing the card with their student number. This arrangement follows examination board rules and the school cannot alter these procedures.

How do students know the dates and times of their examinations?

Every student receives a timetable, produced by the school, which details the date and start time of their A-level, BTec, T-level or GCSE examinations. It is advised that parents and carers make a copy of this timetable in order to facilitate attendance on the correct day and at the correct time.

Students are asked to report no later than 8.45 am for morning exams and 12.45 pm for afternoon exams. The length of examination papers varies and they will frequently not finish until after the official school day has ended. Students, parents and carers should be aware of this and make appropriate arrangements during the exam season for travelling home. Students are not allowed out of an exam early.

Some students may receive an allowance of extra time, meaning their finishing times are later. Timings for some papers may deviate from this pattern and the students will be made aware of this. It is the student’s responsibility to know the start time of each exam, but parents/carers should be warned there is a tendency for students to confuse am and pm sessions. GMS requests that parents, carers and students check all examination commitments for each day the evening before.

How are students supervised?

Adult external invigilators supervise students under the direct management of the Examinations Officer. Once students enter the assessment room they must follow the invigilators’ instructions at all times. The invigilators are experienced in examination procedures and are subject to strict regulations, references and police checks. They usually work in teams and contact the Examinations Officer to resolve any issues.

What happens if a student cannot find his/her place in the assessment room?

The invigilators call students in by their student number. In silence, students find the desk with their card information on it.

In some sessions, papers will be already on exam desks, these papers must not be opened until candidates are advised to do so.

Occasionally problems arise because a student’s card information is not where he/she thinks it should be. There are a number of possible reasons for this and the situation has to be investigated. The student will be asked to wait at the front for a few moments whilst the invigilator on duty checks the entry and sorts the problem out with the Examinations Officer. Every effort is made to keep these problems to a minimum, so they will not prejudice any student’s chance of taking an assessment for which he/she has been entered. Students who have been officially withdrawn from an assessment will not be permitted to sit the paper. It is helpful if the student has his/her statement of entry with him/her, which must not be written on.

What happens if a student is late?

If parents/carers are aware that the student has the timing of the exam wrong and has missed the start time, they should telephone the school immediately to alert the Examinations Officer of the situation. Depending on how long the exam has been in progress, it may be possible for the student to be admitted. Normally candidates with a genuine reason, who are brought straight to school may be admitted within the first 30 minutes of the start time, after this time the board will decide whether to accept any paper taken.

Students who arrive more than 1 hour after the start of the assessment will not be admitted.

What do I need to do if a student has problems that may affect his/her examination performance?

An illness, or family circumstances, which may affect a student’s examination performance, arising shortly before or during the exams, should be brought to the Examinations Officer’s attention, so that an application for special consideration can be made to the boards. Parents/carers should be aware that any adjustment is likely to be small. Please see the relevant Exam Information under the tab below titled ‘Information for Candidates and Parents / Carers’ tab for more information about the special consideration process.

Some students are eligible for extra time or special assessment arrangements. These are normally identified by the school and appropriate applications made supported by an Educational Psychologist’s report, The Examinations Officer and Head of Centre are empowered to grant extra time, the provision of a prompter or similar arrangements, but only given the correct evidence and at their sole discretion. The Special Needs Department will make arrangements for providing any other special assistance and inform the student of any special rooming arrangements.

 

How can parents/carers best help a student during the assessment period?

Assessments are inevitably a stressful time for some students and support from parents, carers and school is helpful. The school provides advice about revision programmes and examination techniques, and if this is followed it should not be necessary for any student to work abnormally long hours during the revision period. It is probably helpful to discuss with the student how he/she intends to organise revision and to talk through any anxieties about particular techniques or subject matter. Testing knowledge of factual material can be of benefit, but often all that is needed is a quiet place to work and lots of encouragement. Candidates should eat properly, have plenty of sleep and some opportunities for relaxation.

What is meant by malpractice?

Malpractice is the term used to describe any irregularity, or breach of the regulations. Examination boards take the integrity of exams very seriously and students must take notice of the Examination Officer’s instructions carefully. It is also an offence to write inappropriate, obscene or offensive material on the script.

Use of Equipment in Examinations

What students can and can't take into examinations

What equipment is required in assessments and examinations?

Students should have the following: writing equipment, coloured pencils, erasers, pair of compasses, ruler and protractor in a transparent plastic bag or pencil case. Non-transparent pencil boxes or cases are not permitted in the examination room. All students should have their name clearly marked on their calculators, as these have to be collected in for non-calculator mathematics papers.

Pens must be black.

What are the regulations concerning calculators in examinations?

The regulations governing the use of calculators is strictly controlled. Some
subject papers, especially maths, explicitly prohibit the use of calculators in
some papers. Students must not have them or attempt to use any form of
calculator in examinations where calculators are forbidden.

 

Calculators must not:

  • be designed or adapted to offer any of these facilities:
    • language translators
    • symbolic algebra manipulations
    • symbolic differentiation or integration
    • communication with other machines or the internet
  • be borrowed from another candidate during an examination for any reason
  • have retrievable information stored in them – this includes:
    • data banks
    • dictionaries
    • retrieval of text
    • maths formulae

The use, or attempted use, of any such calculators will be regarded as
malpractice. Calculators with graphic displays and programmable calculators are
permitted if information and/or programs stored in the calculator’s memory are
cleared before the examination. Retrieval of information and/or programs during
the examination is an infringement of the regulations. Further information can
be found on the JCQ website under Instructions for Conducting Examinations.

What are the regulations regarding mobile phones?

The regulations regarding mobile phones state that they are not to be brought into examination rooms under any circumstance. This applies to all public and school/mock examinations. They present opportunities for malpractice and would disturb the examination space should they ring or ping. All students found to have a phone in the assessment room will be sanctioned.

As it is a very serious offence, GMS advises that phones are not be brought to school. If there is an emergency, students may ask for help at reception, and contact with home will be made on their behalf.
GMS takes no responsibility for the security of mobile phones brought to school.

What is strictly banned from an examination room?

Some items are strictly banned from the assessment room and should be deposited either outside the room or with an invigilator.

Mobile phones, ipod, mp3/4 players and any other electronic equipment, all wristwatches, iWatch and wristwatches either analogue or digital. These items must be handed in to an invigilator before the start of an assessment, but the school cannot be responsible for the security of these while the assessment is in progress.
Students should not bring lucky mascots, and the like, into the assessment room. No food items or chewing gum are allowed.

The use of Tippex or correction pens is not permitted. Students must cross through work they do not wish to be marked.

Calculator lids and spectacle cases must not be brought into the assessment room, either.

Apart from essential equipment, what else is permitted in an examination room?

Some subject papers require the use of dictionaries, if so students will be advised to take one into the examination/assessment by their subject teachers..

Notes, papers, text books and set texts are permissible in a few assessments and examinations: where appropriate candidates are informed of this by the subject teachers in advance.

Small packs of tissues are permissible.

May students bring a drink?

Students may take a drink into the assessment room. However, no more than 750ml of still water is allowed, preferably in a bottle with a sports’ cap. All bottles of water have to be in a clear plastic container, with all labels removed. No fizzy drinks, cans or pouches are permitted due to the risk of spillage. Drinking too much may cause an issue, since students may not be allowed to use toilet facilities during short assessments due to issues of supervision.

Examination Day

What you need to know on the day of the examinations

How are assessments started?

The Examinations Officer, or lead invigilator, will formally announce the start of the assessment; students are cautioned that they are subject to the regulations.

What standards of behaviour are expected during assessments?

Parents/carers should please impress on candidates the importance of good behaviour in an examination, as any activity that disturbs or upset other students will be sanctioned. The Head of Centre and Examinations Officer have the power to remove disruptive candidates.

Students are asked to wait quietly outside the assessment venue, and to enter and leave in silence. This avoids disturbance to others and ensures a calm atmosphere.

Students who try to communicate with others inside the venue in a verbal or non-verbal way, or who create a disturbance, will be asked to leave.

What should students wear for assessments?

Assessments are a school activity and students below the Sixth Form must wear their uniform. GMS asks for the co-operation of parents/carers in ensuring their child is correctly dressed, as we wish to avoid causing stress to candidates in the assessment room by pointing out inappropriate attire. All students know the uniform rules and it is their responsibility to ensure they are adhered to.

Jackets, jumpers or other clothing are not allowed over the backs of the chairs. Students should bring as little as possible in the way of coats and baggage into the school on assessment days.

Items of jewellery, such as rings or bracelets should not be worn as they make a noise on the desk and will be deemed a disruption to others.

What do I do if my child is unwell at the time of one of the assessments?

Even if you would not normally visit your doctor’s surgery for minor illnesses it is important that you do so at assessment time. A doctor’s letter asking for special consideration on the grounds of illness will be taken into account.

Please telephone the school if the student will not be attending an assessment or if he/she will be present but is unwell. It is helpful for the invigilator to be made aware that a candidate is ill.

Please be aware that medical certificates must be accompanied by a note detailing the examinations to which it refers and the date on which the papers were scheduled., otherwise the school cannot guarantee that all relevant examinations will be covered.

There is a standard JCQ form (JCQ/ME Form 14) available from the Examination’s Officer for self-certification for a missed examination. This can be countersigned by your doctor/nurse or surgery receptionist.

What do students do who finish early?

Students should use all of the available time to complete their assessments and checking their work thoroughly. Candidates are not permitted to leave before the end of an assessment. They must sit silently at their desk so as not to disturb other candidates.

Exam Results, Appeals and Resits

Everything you need to know about results day, resits, appealing a grade and collection of certificates.

When and how are the results distributed?

GCE, BTec, T-levels and GCSE results are available from school in August of the relevant school year.

Post-16: A-level, T-level and BTec Results’ Day in 2024 is Thursday 15th August.

  • 8 am – 10:30 am: Students may come to collect results in person from the Sixth Form Centre
  • from 8 am: Results will be emailed to all students via their school email address
  • 8 am – 3 pm: Sixth Form Team available for advice
  • Please see this letter for details about results day:  Year 13 Results’ Day and Post-Results Services Letter – July 24

 

GCSE Results’ Day in 2024 is Thursday 22nd August.

  • 8:30 am – 10:30 am students may come to collect results in person from the Sixth Form Centre – no appointment is needed
  • From 8 am results will be emailed to all students via their school email address
  • 9 am – 3:30 pm students returning to GMS for the Sixth Form will have a 15-minute enrolment appointment. Most will be on Results’ Day, but some may be on Friday 23th of August
  • Please see this letter for details about results day:  Year 11 Results’ Day and Post-Results Services Letter – July 24

 

The GCSE and A-level certificates are available for collection from the 3rd of December 2024. For further information on certificates, see below.

What to do if you have a query about your results?

You should first speak to the school.

  • With regards to Year 11 students, your point of contact is Mr G Pendlebury at: gpendlebury@gms.bucks.sch.uk
  • With regards to Year 13 students, your point of contact is Mr Hollyman at: ohollyman@gms.bucks.sch.uk

It’s important that you understand on what basis you can and can’t appeal your results, when deciding your next steps. Only the school can submit an appeal on your behalf.

You need to look carefully at all the documentation provided on this page before requesting an appeal.

The internal appeals and complaints policies are available on request.

Below is a list of useful guides from the government on what to do next after receiving your results:

Internally Marked Assessments

 

Externally Marked Assessments

Can you do resits if you haven't achieved the required grade?

Autumn Resits 2024 for GCSE

The November series, resit opportunity, is available only for internal students who are studying in the Great Marlow School Sixth Form, and who still need to pass their Maths/English Language at GCSE level. The GCSE resit opportunity for any other subjects is not available. GMS does not accept private or external candidates.

When do students receive certificates?

Students will be able to collect their certificates for the 2024 exam series from 2nd December2024, during school opening hours.

 

The examining boards issue certificates well after the examinations have taken place.  Students are required to collect them in person from the school. If it is not possible, a friend or family member may collect them on your behalf, but must have a letter of request signed by the student and some form of ID. Alternatively, the attached form may be used.

 

Students not intending to collect their results in person, but wishing them to be posted, should leave a stamped addressed envelope (also bearing their unique number), with the examinations officer or at the school reception. Result slips, for formal examinations, not collected or posted on results day will be retained in school for collection at the start of term, again with the necessary authority.

 

 

Certificates that are not collected after one year following issue are sent back to the awarding bodies. They can only be replaced by direct application to the board by the student, and will require proof of identity such as an original birth certificate and a substantial fee per certificate.