Year 9 Exams

Dear Parents/Carers,

All Year 9 will be sitting formal exams during the week beginning Monday 12 January 2026. These exams are important for several reasons:

a) they give us (and you) an important indication of the progress students have made during Year 9.

b) they give students experience in sitting formal exams which will help them do better in the GCSE exams.

c) they help teachers identify strengths and weaknesses.

d) they help students to identify areas for development and can help them fill any gaps in their knowledge.

You have already received communication regarding Miss Sweetland delivering a Parent Information Evening to support yourselves and the students in preparing for this next step in their academic journey.

This is planned for Thursday 4 December at 6pm and is online on Teams. If you have not done so already, please complete the form to inform us of your attendance so that Miss Sweetland can ensure the Teams meeting link is emailed to you: Yr9 Exam Revision - Parent Session Form.

To get the most from the exams, it is important that students prepare thoroughly. Revision guidance will be set up on Edulink One. Students are advised to spend an hour or so each evening revising – this revision may take several forms but should not consist merely of reading through their notes, because this does not help them retain information or skills long term. In order for this to happen, students should: reduce their notes, selecting key points and information; transform these notes into an alternative form, e.g. flash cards or mind maps, (students can use images and colour and should make sure they use their own words); revise by using the flash cards to test themselves; test others or teach anyone who is willing!

They may also choose to use revision websites; BBC Bitesize is a good starting point; the website for KS3 is: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/learn

Overall, we want the students to take the exams seriously but not to worry about them. English, Maths, Science, Modern Foreign Language, History, Design & Technology, Geography, & Religious Studies exams will take place in the Sports Hall. All other examinations will take place in lesson time, under examination conditions. Students will need to bring their basic equipment in a clear pencil case or plastic bag. Please be aware, phones and watches are banned from examination venues and should be switched off and placed in school bags, this will protect your child from accusation of malpractice. We have invested in larger, brighter clocks in all exam venues which are synchronised, these clocks are placed to ensure all students can clearly see the time from all areas of the exam venue.

Students will attend their tutor sessions for AM registration and be escorted to the tennis courts where they will line up in tutor order. Where an exam starts after break or lunch, students should assemble on the tennis courts when the first bell sounds. The exam schedule is below.

For some exams there will be two tiers of entry. Students need to ensure they know which tier of paper they will be sitting. They must ask their teachers prior to the exams.

Under the Education Act 1996, section 444 (1), it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their child attends school regularly; this includes sitting all exams. Failure to comply with this could result in a penalty notice being issued. Please note there is no right of appeal if a penalty notice is issued.

If you have any questions about the Year 9 exams, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours faithfully

Mrs W Wollaston, Examination Officer & Miss R Sweetland, Head of Year 9