10th January 2022

Dear Parents/Carers

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure our students are fully supported through this important final year with us, please find attached the timetable for the forthcoming Year 11 mock examinations. The bulk of written examinations will take place between Monday 17th January and Friday 4th February 2022. There will also be Spanish speaking tests during this period, which will be arranged with individual students.

Students will receive a more detailed timetable, including details of rooming in due course. This is a formal examination process that will closely follow the JCQ guidelines so we have also enclosed a candidate handbook to support students. I would ask you, and your child, to engage with the process outlined in the booklet, and remind all students of the expectations around silence upon entering and leaving the exam room as well as during the exam; all exam protocols must be followed.

Whilst it is very clear that the government’s intention is for formal examinations to go ahead in the summer as planned this year, we are mindful that there is a contingency plan. This is different to last year and will be based on collecting robust evidence through three mock examinations. If this plan is invoked then this will be our first set of data for submission, with two further planned later in the year. Whilst we do not wish to create additional and unnecessary pressure for students, it is vital that everyone is aware of the importance of preparing thoroughly and trying their best in these mocks.

Please be assured that if students are unable to attend school, due to current COVID regulations, we will review each case on an individual basis so that no child is disadvantaged. This may involve supervised, remote completion of exam papers or sessions to catch up on missed papers upon the student’s return to school.

In the coming weeks the intervention program will be further enhanced to support students. This will include additional revision sessions which will be tailored around the most recent information from the Exam Boards, enabling us to focus revision on the identified topics.

May I take this opportunity to thank you in advance for the vital role you will play in supporting your child through the demands of this year. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the school reception.

Yours faithfully

Jo Ford

Headteacher