Exams & Assessments

As everyone knows, Year 11 and Year 13 are probably the two most important years in a young person’s life. Not only because of the outcomes which may very well decide their future direction, but also because they create the life habits and outlook on life that is often carried into their futures.

It is for this reason that we place so much emphasis on the support we can provide, so that our young people are equipped for what their future holds.

We know that by being their daily best, they can have more control over this future. This means:

• Excellent attendance and punctuality: in school every day and on time
• Knowing their gaps
• Revising Daily
• Engaging, participating and completing all work set
• Having the correct equipment and uniform
• Being positive and looking after their well-being

Through working together as a team - student, school and care-givers - we will ensure Globe Academy students achieve their true potential. 

On this page you will find information and links that we hope will support you and them at this important time in their lives.

GCSE, A Level and BTEC exams represent years of hard work and preparation. This page outlines everything students need to know before, during, and after exams at Ark Globe Academy.

If students have concerns, they should speak to their Learning Family Lead, Head of Year, Pastoral Team, or Exams Officer. Support is also available through Place2Be and other mental‑health services.

Wellbeing Support Links:

• Place2Be – Navigating Exam Season:
  https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/services-in-schools/navigating-exam-season-free-resources/
• Childline – Exam Stress:
  https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/school-college-and-work/school-college/exam-stress/
• Mind – Exam Stress:
  https://www.mind.org.uk/for-young-people/feelings-and-experiences/exam-stress/
• YoungMinds – Coping with Exam Stress:
  https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/exam-stress/

JCQ and Ofqual Guidance:

• JCQ Information for Candidates:
  https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/information-for-candidates/
• Ofqual – Student Guide to Exams and Assessments 2026:
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofqual-student-guide-to-exams-and-assessments-in-2026

Exam start dates for 2026:

• GCSE exams: Start Friday 8 May 2026
• BTEC exams: Start Friday 1 May 2026
• A Level exams: Start Monday 11 May 2026

Personal timetables are issued in the Spring Term and must be checked carefully. Students must know their own dates and venues.

Exam start times:

• Morning exams: 8:50am
• Afternoon exams: 1:25pm
  Arrival is required 15 minutes before each exam.

Some papers may finish after the normal school day, especially for students with extra time—students must arrange transport accordingly.

Contingency Day: 

All candidates must be available until Wednesday 24 June 2026.

Access arrangements (e.g., extra time, reader, scribe) apply to GCSE, A Level and BTEC exams and are arranged through the SENDCo.

JCQ Guidance for parents, carers and students about access arrangements:

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/JCQ-Parent-guidance-information-sheet-2025_26.pdf

Dress Code:
All students must be in full school uniform (for Sixth Form, in the correct dress code).

Personal Belongings:
Bags and coats are stored only in approved areas. Phones and smartwatches must be handed in—if not, belongings must be stored at the student’s own risk.
Not permitted in the exam hall:

• Phones or any electronic device
• Smartwatches, Fitbits, any wristwatches
• Notes, paper, labelled items
• Calculator lids/cases

Seating:
Sit only in your allocated seat.

Exam Conditions:
No communication of any kind once inside the room.

Late Arrival:
Students arriving late may be refused entry or have their work rejected by the exam board. Students arriving after the exam ends cannot be admitted.

Equipment:

• Clear pencil case only
• Black pens only - no gel pens or erasable pens
• Water allowed in clear, label‑free bottles
• Calculators – see below:

Calculator guidance:

Rules apply to GCSE, A Level, and BTEC exams requiring calculators.

Calculators must be:

• Suitable for desk use
• Battery or solar powered
• Free of lids/cases containing formulas
• Cleared of memory

Calculators must NOT:

• Store text/dictionaries
• Communicate with other devices
• Perform symbolic algebra or integration
• Be borrowed during the exam

Students are responsible for their calculator’s condition.

Potential technological/web enabled sources of information such as an iPod, a mobile phone, an MP3/MP4 player, a smartwatch or a wristwatch which has a data storage device, must not be brought into the exam room even if they are switched off and/or you do not intend to use them.

Other forms of malpractice include:

• Altering results documentation, including certificates,
• A breach of the instructions or advice given by an invigilator or awarding body in relation to the exam rules and regulations,
• Collusion – working collaboratively with other candidates beyond what is permitted,
• Copying from another candidate – including coursework and during the exam,
• Deliberate destruction of work – including defacing your own exam script,
• Disruptive behaviour in the exam room,
• Talking in the exam room,
• Written communications between candidates,
• Taking unauthorised notes into the exam room, 
• Including inappropriate or offensive material in scripts or coursework,
• Plagiarism – copying from published sources (including the internet),
• Theft of someone else’s work (project or coursework) to pass off as your own,
• Leaving the exam room or while still under exam conditions, unescorted before the end of the exam.

Any form of malpractice including possession of unauthorised material is a very serious offence, and you will be subject to penalty and possible disqualification under JCQ Suspected Malpractice Procedures.

Absence:
Missing an exam results in a score of zero.
Special Consideration may be requested only for serious, evidenced circumstances.

Parents/carers must contact the school before 7:45am if a student cannot attend.

Emergencies:
If the fire alarm sounds, students must follow invigilator instructions, leave in silence, and avoid communication. Full time will be restored once safe to continue.

Results Days 2026:

• A Level & BTEC: Thursday 13 August 2026
• GCSE: Thursday 20 August 2026

Results must be collected in person unless a signed permission letter is provided.
Results will also be emailed to student accounts.

Post‑Results Services:
Students may request:

• Script copies
• Reviews of marking (grades may go up, down, or remain the same)

Fees apply and written consent is required.

Certificates:
Certificates will arrive in school in during the next Autum term. If you wish a relative or friend to collect your certificates, the collector must have a signed letter of authority from you.

Remember to keep your certificates safe, if you lose or damage them, you will need to contact each exam board to purchase replacements.

Coursework, controlled assessments and non-exam assessments (NEA) are also subject to JCQ rules and regulations.

Students must:

• Produce their own work
• Keep work safe and not share it
• Reference all sources
• Avoid using online pre‑prepared solutions
• Sign authentication statements

Penalties include zero marks, disqualification from a unit, the whole subject, or all subjects.

Q. What do I do if I think I have the wrong paper?

Invigilators will ask you to check before the exam starts. If you think something is wrong, put your hand up and tell the invigilator immediately.

Q. What do I do if I have an accident or am ill before the exam?

Inform school at the earliest possible point so we can help or advise you. In the case of an accident that means you are unable to write, it may be possible to provide you with a scribe to write your answers, but we will need as much prior notice as possible.

You will need to obtain medical evidence (from your GP or hospital) if you wish the school to make an appeal for Special Consideration on your behalf (see below). A self-certification form (JCQ/ME Form 14) should be picked up from the Exams Officer, completed by the candidate, parent/carer and GP/hospital and returned to the Exams Officer within 7 days of the exam.

Q. What is an Appeal for Special Consideration?

Special Consideration is an adjustment to the marks or grades of a candidate who is eligible for consideration. The allowance for Special Consideration is from 0% (consideration given but addition of marks considered inappropriate) to 5% (reserved for exceptional cases). Parents should be aware that any adjustment is likely to be small and no feedback is ever provided. Candidates will only be eligible for Special Consideration if they have been fully prepared and covered the whole course but performance in the exam or in the production of coursework is affected by significant adverse circumstances beyond their control. Examples or such circumstances may be severe illness, accident or injury, bereavement, domestic crisis. The Exam Officer must be informed immediately, so that the necessary paperwork can be completed (within 7 days of the last exam session for each subject) and the candidate will be required to provide evidence to support such an application. Special considerations are only awarded in the most extreme circumstance and have a highly significant chance of being declined.

Q. What equipment should I bring for my exams?

For all exams you should bring at least 2 pens (black ink only).

For some exams you will need a calculator (Maths/Science/Geography), a 30cm ruler (marked with cm and mm), pencil, pencil sharpener and rubber, compasses, protractor, coloured pencils, (not gel or Frix-ion pens).

You are responsible for providing your own equipment for exams. You must not attempt to borrow equipment from another candidate during the exam.

Q. Why can’t I bring my mobile telephone into the exam room?

Being in possession of a mobile phone (or any other electronic communication device, e.g. iPod, headphones, smart watches) is regarded as cheating and is subject to severe penalty from the awarding bodies:

If you are discovered to have an electronic communication device with you during the exams, you may face the following possible sanctions:

• Warning,
• Loss of marks for the specific paper,
• Disqualification from the specific paper, subject, qualification, or completely barred from all JCQ exams.

Q. Can I leave the exam early?

It is not the school’s policy to allow candidates to leave the exam room early, as this is disruptive to other candidates. A candidate may not leave the exam room without the permission of the invigilators.

Q. Why do I need to check the details on the Statement of Entry?

The details on your Statement of Entry will be used when certificates are printed. If the name or date of birth on your certificates does not match your birth certificate, it could cause you problems if you are asked to show your certificates to a potential employer for college/university at some time in the future. You should also check that the subjects and tiers of entry you are entered for are correct and that no subjects are missing.

Q. What do I do if I don’t get the grades I need for college?

Teaching staff will be available to advise you on results day. If you feel strongly that it is necessary to make an enquiry about your result you should first consult the Subject Lead to obtain their advice as to the possibility of requesting a review of marking. You should be aware that your grade could go down as well as up or even stay the same. Requests must be submitted to the Exams Officer within 14 days of receiving their results. You must speak to or email the Exams Officer for further information.