News

Exam season 2026 is upon us, and for Year 10, 11 and 13 students, this marks a significant chapter in their academic journey. The weeks ahead will be filled with a mixture of anticipation, focus, and no doubt some nerves. After months of revision and classroom learning, it's natural to feel the pressure building. However, we are confident that the hard work and dedication students have shown throughout the year will pay off. The preparation students have put in during lessons, revision sessions, and at home has laid a strong foundation for their success and we are proud of them. Below, I have outlined some information and advice to assist you in supporting your child throughout the exam period:

Maintain excellent attendance

In the most recent DfE report on ‘the link between attendance and performance’ (March 2025), the research is conclusive - exam performance is directly linked to attendance to school. Students who attend school 95% or above are 3 times more likely to get a grade 5 (strong pass) in English and Maths than students who attend 85-90% of the time. Therefore, it is essential that your child continues to attend school every day, for the duration of the exam period.

Staying healthy

Staying healthy—both physically and mentally—is just as important as studying. During exam time, it’s easy to fall into poor habits like staying up too late, making poor food choices, skipping meals, or neglecting exercise. But, keeping their body and mind in good shape will help students perform better, avoid illness, and stay positive.

• Sleep - Firstly, your child should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep is when your brain processes and stores what you've learned during the day. Lack of rest can leave you feeling foggy and anxious, while good sleep boosts memory and focus. Encourage your child to turn their phone off at least 30 mins before bedtime. Excessive screen time, especially before bed, can negatively impact sleep quality and duration by disrupting the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep.

• Diet and hydration - Hydration and nutrition play a huge role in staying healthy. Your child should be drinking plenty of water throughout the day, eat balanced meals, and avoid too much caffeine or sugar, as these can cause energy crashes and affect their mood.

• Exercise - Exercise is essential and an excellent way to manage stress. Even a short walk or a 20-minute workout can help clear your mind, release endorphins, and improve concentration. Encourage your child to build in a daily exercise session of at least 20 minutes, preferably outdoors. 

• Rest breaks - Encourage your child to take rest breaks while studying—they should use techniques like the pomodoro technique (25 minutes studying, 5-minute break) to stay productive without burning out.

Support in school

If your child is feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or they simply need some help revising, there are many sources of support available to them. Please contact the school so we can work with you in determining the most appropriate support to provide. Alternatively, you can direct your child to any of the support listed below:

1. Academic tuition - Year 11 after school academic tuition is taking place in all subjects right up until the end of the exams. Students have been receiving this support since February, and parents can support by ensuring that their child continues to attend these sessions.

2. Exam warm up sessions - Warm up sessions will be provided to Y11 students on the day of their exams. Students will find out about these sessions from their classroom teachers.

• Morning exam warm up sessions: students should arrive by 8am on the day of their exam
• Afternoon exam warm up sessions: students will already be in school and will go to their warm up session at 11.15am

3. Classroom teachers - Teachers know the exam content inside out and are always happy to go over tricky topics or answer last-minute questions. Remind your child that they can always reach out to their classroom teachers and ask them for clarification or additional resources.

4. Tutors, Pastoral Managers and Heads of Year - These members of staff are also on hand to provide support and guidance. Whether your child needs help with time management, coping strategies, or just someone to talk to, these members of staff will make themselves available.

  A few final tips to support your child:

• Make sure they check their exam timetable carefully and arrive early

  • Take into consideration their travel route and plan for any unexpected delays

  • All students have been provided with an exam timetable, but please contact the school if you require another copy

• Plan ahead

  • Remind your child to pack their bag the night before and ensure they have all the equipment required for their exam: pens, calculator, water bottle etc. 

Results Day

We look forward to celebrating excellent 2026 results with all of our students on the dates listed below:

Thursday 13th August 2026: A level / AS results day
Thursday 20th August 2026: GCSE results day

Kathleen Mackenzie

Deputy Headteacher