Exams Guidance: JCQ Regulations
Examinations 2022-23
The Examinations Office deals with all aspects of external examinations for a range of examination boards: AQA, Edexcel and OCR and WJEC. We also enter candidates for University Admission tests such as the BMAT.
Support for students
In any given year, young people (both individually and as a collective) worry about their exams. This is completely normal and an indication that they take them seriously. As an Academy, we are keen to do all that we can to reduce any unnecessary worry so that students can focus on doing their best.
We aim to:
- ensure students are well-informed about what is coming up
- provide plenty of opportunities to practice the routines of exams
- provide high-quality intervention to support our students in accessing the curriculum
- support students in understanding what and how to revise
- encourage students to use a range of well-being and positive mental health strategies
- have a range of bespoke supports in place for students who need them
The exams guidance on the website has been divided into three sections:
- Pre-exams -gives information about non-examination assessment and coursework
- During exams -gives rules and information about expected behaviour during exams, exam timetables, as well as what to do in the event of illness or extenuating circumstances.
- Post exams -gives information on how to collect results, post results services and certificates.
1. Pre-exams
Non-examination components/Coursework
All candidates taking subjects with internally assessed components should read the JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) notice regarding Non-Exam Assessment. The essential JCQ notices can be found below.
Re-takes
We will only enter students for re-take examinations if they are included within the registration rules for a particular qualification, this relates to most vocational subjects that allow at least one other re-sit.
English or Maths GCSE re-takes are only available for those who are enrolled in the sixth form.
We are not able to accept external candidates and do not offer other GCSE or GCE re-takes.
Access arrangements
Access arrangements are available to allow candidates who have special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access assessments. Arrangements for candidates with special educational needs or disabilities need to be organised in advance through the Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Co-ordinator. Relevant students should be receiving these adjustments as a normal way of working including during mock examinations.
Candidates with temporary injuries that will affect them during an exam should contact their Heads of Year and exams@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk.
All candidates need to have read and understood the important JCQ documents regarding exam rules and regulations.
- Warning to Candidates
- Social Media Information
- Unauthorized items
- JCQ- Preparing to sit your exams
- Information for candidates – Written exams
- Information for candidates – Privacy notice
- Information for candidates – On-screen tests Information for candidates
- Information for candidates- Coursework assessments
- Information for candidates- Assessments
- Appeals against internal assessments of work
- Understanding exam rules
The docs at the bottom of the page
2. During exams
Exams timetables
This will be updated during the year.
JCQ Rules and Regulations
All candidates should ensure they read and understand the JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) Information for Candidates notices.
All students must comply with uniform regulations when attending examinations.
In accordance with exam board regulations all mobile phones, technologically enabled devices or watches must be turned off and stored away in bags.
Candidates may bring water into the exam room in a clear plastic bottle without a label.
Lateness
There are very strict JCQ regulations for the timing of public exams, so candidates should allow extra travel time to ensure they are outside the exam venue at least 20 minutes before the exam start time. If problems arise affecting arrival time candidates must contact Reception as soon as possible. In cases of extreme lateness, it may not be possible for you to sit the exam.
Illness and other mitigating circumstances
It is normally best to sit an exam if f you are feeling slightly unwell. In cases where illness is contagious (e.g COVID) or if a candidate is very unwell, they should not attend the exam, but should immediately contact their Head of Year and exams@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk outlining the reason for the absence.
Candidates should, where possible, obtain medical evidence of any illness.
Any candidate who feels unwell during an examination should notify the invigilator at the time.
Candidates experiencing other difficulties at the time of the examination should, if possible, notify their Head of Year before the examination but at the latest within 24 hours of the exam.
3. Post Exams
Results days
This will be updated during the year.
For the November 2022 and January 2023 exam seasons, results will be directly handed out to students by their Heads of Year.
Summer 2023 exam results
If students are unable to collect their results at the times and dates provided, they must email: exams@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk before their Results Day to give authorisation for someone else to collect on their behalf. We will not be able to issue results to anyone other than the student if we have not received this email. We can only accept emails from students, not parents or carers.
Examination Board- Post result services
The examination boards offer various services for candidates unhappy with the outcome of examinations. Strict deadlines apply and will be detailed on the request forms.
Please note the deadlines for post result services following Summer 2022 results have passed.
Review of marking
For all reviews of marking, mark changes will only be made where the exam board decide the mark scheme has been incorrectly applied. It is important to remember that any review can result in marks going down, up or staying the same. Candidates must sign to say that they are aware of this before we can apply for a review of marking. Additionally, this review of marking usually comes at a cost to the candidate. This service cannot be used for internally marked units.
Please note all requests must be made in writing to exams@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk.
Qualification Certificates
Summer 2022 Certificates will be available late in the Autumn Term, you will be contacted to inform you of the collection details.
Students who still attend Harris South Norwood will receive their certificates from Heads of Year.
Certificates for 2020 and 2021 leavers are currently available to be collected from school, and leavers should contact exams@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk to organise this.
Please note that you are required to sign to confirm that you have received your certificates and that they are correct. If you are unable to collect your certificates yourself, you will need to give authority for someone else to collect and check them on your behalf.
Exam board regulations allow certificates not collected within twelve months to be destroyed.
Older certificates
If you have not collected your certificates for exams before Summer 2020, we may still have the certificates. Please email exams@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk to check and arrange collection.
Lost or damaged certificates
The Academy is unable to replace lost or damaged certificates. If you have lost or damaged your certificates you should contact the relevant examination boards who will charge a fee to issue a Certifying Statement of Results, equivalent to certificates.
The examination boards all have details on their websites for doing this, please see the links below.
Click here for further information
