External Examinations and Coursework

At Key Stage 4 and 5 exams can be classified as internal or external examinations. All examinations at Key Stage 3 are classified as internal examinations.

Internal examinations are set by the school and are used to assess students’ progress. The results from these exams are also used to decide which tier (level of paper) a student should be entered for in their final exams and to provide forecast grades. Internal examination results do not contribute towards a student’s final GCSE grade or qualification. Year 10 internal examinations are completed usually during the spring term and at the end of the summer term and Year 11 mock examinations are usually in November and February.

External examinations are exams set by the exam boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, or WJEC). These exams count directly towards a student’s final GCSE grade or qualification. The school has no control over when these examinations are timetabled; students must sit these exams on the published day.

Provisional timetables are issued to students before internal and external examinations. In addition to this students are also given Statements of Entry to confirm which exams they are entered for in each exam season and final confirmation of when their exams are taking place.

Students sitting any examinations at the school must follow JCQ Guidelines. Please refer to the links below concerning the expected conduct of students during examinations and regulations relating to written examinations, on-screen tests and controlled assessments. This information has been produced by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). All schools and colleges throughout England must follow their guidelines. We must report all instances of misconduct, whether they occur during exams or whilst completing coursework or controlled assessments.

Examinations Policy and Examination Appeals Policy

Examination Related Documents from JCQ:

JCQ Social Media Infographic JCQ Preparing to sit your exams 2023-24 Information for candidates – Privacy Notice Information for candidates – Written Examinations Information for candidates – On-Screen Examinations 2023 FINAL Information for candidates – NE Assessments 2023 FINAL Information for candidates – Coursework Assessments 2023 FINAL