Public Examinations Policy

It is the policy of the school to enter as many pupils as possible for public examinations at the appropriate level in all subjects. This ensures pupils leaving school have the best qualifications it is possible for them to achieve.

In addition, it provides an assessment from outside the school of the standard being achieved in the teaching of each subject. In general, pupils are entered for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examination. Pupils will be awarded grades on an eight point scale A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Within each subject there will be a choice of papers or questions which will give candidates of all abilities the opportunity to show what they understand, know and can do. Teachers will consequently have to guide pupils on which papers and/or questions to attempt.

Entry for examination in GCSE will, therefore, not only be concerned with the subject, but also the level expected within the subject. The school, however, will not enter pupils who have failed to complete the necessary coursework assignments or whose attendance and attitude have given little indication of their desire to be entered for the examinations.

Some pupils for whom 9 GCSE examinations is inappropriate, will study a combination of courses leading to GCSE’s and other nationally recognised qualifications.