GCSEs and Beyond…

Your handbook to the GCSE examination period

and post 16 study
GCSE Exam Arrangements….

Summer exams start on the 15th May. Morning exams begin at 9:00am and
afternoon at 1:00pm
Please make sure that school has at least one up-to-date contact number for you in
case we have to call during the exam season if you haven’t arrived for an exam and
we can check the situation.
A copy of the full summer timetable will be displayed on the exam noticeboard near
the Gym as well as on the school website.

Candidates are responsible for checking their own timetable and arriving at school on
the correct day and time, properly dressed and equipped. Candidates must arrive at
least 15 minutes prior to the start time of their examination. You must enter the exam
room in silence. Once inside you must not talk or communicate in any way with other
candidates. Once seated you must not turn around, you should face the front and
await further instructions.

Your exam room will be indicated on the seating plans displayed near the Gym
showing where you will sit - this will detail your name, candidate number and which
exam you are sitting. You should check every morning and afternoon so that you know
where you have been seated for your exam.

Normal school rules will apply regarding uniform, make-up and jewellery. Uniform must
be worn by all students attending for exams, including blazers, which can be removed
once in the exam hall. No outside coats or scarves are allowed in the hall.

All items of equipment – pens, pencils, mathematical instruments, coloured pencils,

calculators etc. - should be visible to the invigilators at all times. You must therefore
have a clear pencil case.

Pens should be black ink or ballpoint. Correcting pens, fluid or tape and gel pens are
not allowed in the exam hall. You may use highlighters to highlight words or passages
on your question paper but they must not be used in your answers

For Mathematics and Science exams, students should make sure their calculators
conform to the examination regulations – if in doubt please speak to your Maths
Teacher. Leave any covers or instructions at home and make sure batteries are new.
Anything stored in the calculator’s memory should be cleared before commencing an
exam.

No watches (smartwatch, Fitbit or normal wristwatch) are allowed in any of the

exam rooms

There should be NO writing on your hands – this is classed as malpractice

Examination regulations are very strict regarding items that may be taken into the
examination room. If you break these rules, the school will have to report this to the
examination board and you maybe disqualified from the examination. You must not
bring into the exam room/s any “good luck” charms as these are considered
unauthorised items. Any type of lip gloss/salve or hand cream is also classed as an
unauthorized item/s and should be left at home or in your locker - it should not be
brought in/used in the exam room/s

You must NOT fill in your details on the front of your exam paper until told to do so
and you MUST NOT write any formulas or quotes on the front of your paper (as a
reminder) as this is classed as malpractice and you will need to be reported to the
appropriate awarding body.

Listen carefully to instructions and notices that are read out – there may be
amendments (erratum notices) to the exam paper that you need to know about.

Check you have the correct question paper – check specifically for the subject and tier
of entry (Foundation or Higher). If you are unsure or wish to ask a question at any
time, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator to provide this.

Read all instructions printed on the front of the exam paper carefully so you are aware
of what you need to do and number your answers clearly.

Please be aware that you are responsible for producing legible handwriting for exam
board markers

You will not be allowed to leave an examination room early. If you have finished the
paper, use any remaining time to check over your answers and make sure that you
have completed your details correctly on the front of the answer booklet and especially
on any additional paper you may have used.

You will not be provided with paper to do “rough work” – you must write all rough
work on your exam paper and cross it through with a single line. This will enable
markers to see your workings etc. Do remember that for some of your subjects it is
required that you show your working clearly. Always check at the back of your exam
paper, as often there are spare lined sheets there for you to use

At the end of the examination all work must be handed in. If you have used more than
one answer book or loose sheets of paper make sure that you have put all your
candidate details on them and that your answers are numbered. Then make sure you
use the treasury tag provided to attach all your answer scripts together so that there
is no possibility of any sheets being misplaced.

Invigilators will collect your exam papers before you leave the room. ABSOLUTE
SILENCE must be maintained during this time, as you are still under examination
conditions until you have left the room and we may have other candidates still working.
Question papers, answer booklets and additional paper must NOT be taken from the
exam room.
You should remain seated in silence, facing the front of the examination room, until
you are told to leave. Please leave the room IN SILENCE and remain silent until well
away from the examination hall to show consideration for other candidates who may
still be working

If you have been granted an access arrangement such as extra time for your
examinations – you should be aware that you are now required to use all of this
extra time and you must remain in the exam hall until the end of your extended
time allowed.
If you experience difficulties during the examination period (e.g. illness, injury or
personal problems) please inform the Examinations Manager at the earliest possible
opportunity so we can help or advise you.

Only in ‘exceptional circumstances’ are candidates allowed special consideration for

absence from any part of an examination. It is essential that medical or other
appropriate evidence is obtained on the day by the candidate or parent/carer and
given to the Examinations Manager immediately in all cases where an application is
to be made for special consideration. Any application must now be approved and
supported by a statement from a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Attendance over the examination

period, lockers and textbooks….
Attendance during the examination period
Academic staff will continue to teach their Year 11 lessons until the last examination
in their subject and you are expected to attend these lessons as normal. Once the
examination has been completed the room will be available with teacher supervised
revision for other subjects. These are the same arrangement as in previous years
and we have found that they invaluable in helping you to achieve your potential at
GCSE.

Return of textbooks
Textbooks should be returned to the relevant subject department on or before the
day of the last examination in that subject. You will be contacted by the school if any
department’s records show that you still have resources outstanding. Please ensure
that your name is in the textbook when you return it.

Lockers
All lockers should be emptied by 23rd June, at the latest. After this date lockers will
be opened and emptied by us and any remaining contents will have to be disposed
of in readiness for the re-allocation of lockers next school year.
 Induction Day
Tuesday 27th June

We will be holding our Sixth Form Induction on Tuesday 27th June for all students
hoping to join us in September 2023.
The main purpose of the day is for students to confirm their 4 A-level subjects and to
this end, the time will mostly be spent in subject areas in Taster Sessions. There will
also be an opportunity for students to sample lessons in subjects other than those
they have chosen, in order to help them to confirm that their choices are right for
them. Transition packs containing some summer preparation work will be distributed
during subject sessions (they are also available via the school website).
Students will be asked to let us know the names of students they wish to be in a tutor
group with next year.
The day begins at 08:50am and students should register in the Roberts Hall for an
assembly. If students arrive at school before 08:50am, they may wait in the common
room. These activities will finish at 3:15pm and will be followed by an ‘End of
Examinations’ celebration BBQ. All students are invited to attend this, even if they
do not attend the Induction Day
Students new to the school should report to main school reception at 08:45.
Dress is informal in line with our sixth form dress code:
Sixth form students are expected to attend school appropriately dressed, that is, tidily, with a
degree of formality and not in the extremes of fashion. Assessment of what constitutes
appropriate school dress remains at the discretion of the sixth form pastoral team. Visible piercings
and tattoos are not permitted. Only natural hair colourings will be considered acceptable.

Students will be permitted off-site at lunchtime although they will be most welcome to
eat in our school dining room.
 Over the summer….
Get some experience!
You have a wonderfully long summer break this year, do not
waste it. What about some work experience? Think about
what you may wish to do post 18 or at any time in the future
and try it out for size. You don’t need to do a whole month or
even a week – any experience at all is helpful.
If you are struggling to organise anything in person, think
about arranging to chat to someone in the job role remotely!

What about NCS?

The National Citizenship Scheme is a great place to make new
friends, build your skills, have fun and try out new experiences
https://wearencs.com/
 Research something that interests you
If you are thinking about applying to university in the
future, you need to prove you have an active interest in
the subject selected.
Visits to museums or galleries can provide a practical way
to pursue your interests and complement other research.

Don’t forget some R and R too

You have worked hard for your exams you deserve some rest and
relaxation as well. Consider a new sport or recreational reading to
broaden your horizons.

Also
Complete the transition work ready for your
return in September.
 On Results Day…. Thursday 24th August

This is the date on which result slips from all examination boards for all GCSE
subjects will be available from KGGS.
Results will be available for collection from 8:30 a.m. in Roberts Hall on Thursday
24th August.

Please note that we do not give out results over the telephone or via e-mail.
Due to the large number of students collecting their results on this day, we would be
very grateful if relatives and friends accompanying our students could wait outside
the building. We ask that the car park is reserved for staff on this day as usual.
If you wish any other person (including family members) to collect your results on
your behalf, you must fill in the Candidate Permission Form. Once completed please
give this to Miss Edwards, the Exams Manager, before the end of term, 21stJuly.
The person you nominate to collect your results will be required to show
photographic ID and can collect your results from main reception.

Candidates who cannot collect their results on this date may also provide a stamped
addressed envelope to Miss Edwards before the end of term on 21stJuly, for
administration staff to forward through the normal post. The security of your statement
of results placed in the post, is your responsibility.
 Results Day & Post 16 plans….

KGGS Entry Criteria for September 2023

• Passes at grade 4 or above in English Language (not English Literature) and

Mathematics
• At least 6 GCSE passes at Grade 5 to 9
• A Grade 6 or above in the subjects the student wishes to study at Advanced
level

Please note: some A level subjects have a requirement for attainment in more
than one GCSE subject. Please refer to the A level course booklet for specific
information. An electronic copy can be found on the school website.

Please read the options below and follow the course of action that applies to your
circumstances.
1. If there are no changes to the subject selection you have already told
us:
If nothing changes once you have received your results, please fill in the destinations
form and leave it in the box on results day. If you are intending A-level study at
KGGS you will then need to start school at 8.40am on Wednesday 6th September.
Notices will be displayed at each school entrance telling you your new Year 12 form
tutor and form room. This is where you should report. You do not need to attend
the subject confirmation session on Monday 4th September.

2. If you need to change your A level choices:

If you wish to change your choice of A level subjects in the light of your GCSE
results, then please give yourself some time to think about it. Check the entry criteria
in the sixth form course booklet for any new choices. Once you are sure you have
made the right choice and qualified for the subject, email the details of your intended
subject change by 1st September to sixthform@kggs.org .
It is then vitally important that you attend the subject confirmation session on
Monday 4th September at the times indicated below. Please report to the sixth form
common room at the start of your allocated session to receive instructions. This is to
ensure you have the agreement of faculty leaders for your changes and that your
new choices fit with the timetable and group sizes. Once this has all been agreed,
you will then have a viable programme of study and should start school at 8.40am
on Wednesday 6th September.
Session start times on Monday 4th September:
11A, 11R, 11P 1pm–2pm 11Bg, 11Bt, 11E 2.30pm-3.30pm.
 3. If you decide that you want to study at KGGS when you have made no
subject choices and you previously told us you were going to continue
your studies elsewhere:
If you have the qualifying grades in the subjects you wish to study, you must see Mrs
Macpherson personally on results day. It is likely that you will be required to attend
the subject confirmation session on Monday 4th September.

4. If you decide to study elsewhere when you have made subject choices
at KGGS and told us you will stay:
Please fill in the form on results day indicating this and speak to Mrs Doig or Mrs
Macpherson before you leave. It is important you tell us, as this will release places
on our courses that other students may need.

5. If you want to study at KGGS having not achieved the qualifying grades
for any one or more of the 4 subjects you want to study:
Go home and give yourself time to think. Send an email by 1st September detailing
the subjects you think you would now like to study sixthform@kggs.org .These
should be subjects that you are qualified for. You will then need to attend the subject
confirmation session on Monday 4th September at the time allocated to your form
(shown above), to ensure you have the agreement of faculty leaders and a viable
programme of study.

6. If you want to continue your studies at KGGS but have not achieved the
entry criteria for the sixth form
Speak to Mrs Doig or Mrs Macpherson on Results Day.

Help and advice in between results day and 4th September: email to
sixthform@kggs.org and your query will be dealt with as soon as possible.

Staff will also be available in school on the afternoon of Thursday 24th and the
morning of Friday 25th August.
 Students new to KGGS….

Make sure you get in touch on GCSE Results Day to let us know that you have
achieved our entry criteria sixthform@kggs.org
If we receive your results and are able to confirm your place with us, we will invite
you to a brief induction on 4th September from 1pm until 2pm when we will
complete all the paperwork and show you around the school. We will also introduce
you to the sixth form team and show you your new form room so that you know
where to go when term starts.

Post 16 ready….

There are lots of things you can be doing to get yourself ready for your studies post
16. KGGS have transition resources for you to complete in every subject. You will
find these on the school website. You will also find syllabus details for each subject
in our course booklet so may want to get ahead by reading texts etc.
The right mindset…
• A mindset is a way of thinking
• It governs and drives the way we behave
• Can this help improve performance?
• Psychologists and in particular behavioural therapists, firmly believe it can
V – vision, having a goal
E – effort. How hard you work.
S – systems. How do you organise your academic work?
P – practice. What do you do when you work? What kind of work?
A – attitude. Do you have the right, positive approach and how can it be
improved?
 Post 18 ready….

Have you started thinking about what you might like to do once you have finished A
level studies?
The summer is a good time for visiting universities, the cities and towns they are
located in and carrying out a bit of research on the courses that they offer.
Keep up to date during term time with the KGGS Careers Bulletin and consider some
of the summer schools or virtual experiences on offer too. All these activities could
potentially help with future decisions and have an impact on your A level subject
choices. The UCAS hub is a great place to start. Register with your school email
address, start saving the things you are interested in and building up resources.
https://www.ucas.com/what-are-my-options/create-your-ucas-hub-today
’