Half term – a great opportunity for exam candidates

It’s the day before the February half term break, meaning that we have successfully made the sometimes challenging leap from Christmas to very early spring. We managed to stay open during some wintery weather in January, and many students and their families have overcome several bus related problems. Fingers crossed we can put both weather and transport issues behind us for a while now.

Over the past three weeks our year 11 cohort, plus those students doing exams in Year 9, have all completed a set of trial exams. These are as close to the ‘real thing’ as our students will get before the summer, and aside from the outside temperatures the experience is very similar. At the moment teachers are working hard marking the exams, and then will come the very important feedback which will hopefully help make a difference for the next time around. I know from speaking to colleagues that our class of 2025 have given the trial exams a really good go, which is great to see. Well done to them, and huge thanks to the staff who will no doubt be giving up much of the week to come marking the exam papers.

The temptation I suppose could then be for exam students to have a bit of a break over half term. After all, that would be a natural response to a full-on three weeks. However, I’d argue that to do so would be a mistake. To reach their potential, any student needs to put in some additional effort at home. Just working in school and completing basic homework will get them so far, but independent revision is essential for anyone who wants to achieve the best possible grade. After all, the UK grading system means that only a certain number of students can achieve any given grade per subject. We’ve shared loads of advice with students about what and how to revise, and how to strike a positive and productive balance between working hard and relaxing. Therefore I hope that all our exam candidates can seize the opportunity that half term brings, and come back both refreshed AND having done some great revision.

Wishing everyone a good week,

Joe Barker

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