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Specific Detail and Exam. Boards

All Willowgarth pupils (except where a good educational reason for non-entry exists) will be given the opportunity to gain nationally recognised accreditation for their work in school. The examinations we take at 16+ are of three kinds - GCSE, GNVQ and YOUTH AWARD (Bronze and Silver Levels). All courses include compulsory coursework assessment (a substantial amount for most). Some subjects, such as Art, have no final, formal examination, relying entirely on coursework. Back to top

Important

For the reason above, it is important that pupils do not miss long periods of school work. There are deadlines on completion of coursework projects imposed on the school by the examining boards. If a particular piece of work is missed, it may not always be possible to 'catch up' on it and the final grade will be affected (in some cases, missing a crucial piece of work could mean failure in the subject!). This problem can be particularly difficult in those cases where pupils are taken on holiday by their parents during the school term. As a general rule, parents should avoid family holidays during school terms if they have children in either Year 10 or Year 11 so as not to prejudice their examination prospects. This has become very much more of a problem since the introduction of GCSE.

If it is impossible for a family to avoid term time holidays, please contact school with a view to finding a suitable time, or making arrangements to minimise the loss of coursework. (It is perhaps appropriate here to remind parents that the yearly maximum allowed for family holidays is 2 weeks).

The comments above relating to coursework are equally applicable to pupils' absences during the public examination period (throughout May and June). It is never possible to 'catch up' on examinations missed through absence. Back to top

Charges

There will be no charge for entry for prescribed (by the Government) public examinations such as GCSE, GNVQ or YOUTH AWARD. Pupils may occasionally be entered, with their parents' consent, for non-prescribed examinations, under which circumstances parents will be charged for the entry. External candidates for examinations (including prescribed) will be charged entry fees.

Parents are particularly asked to note that pupils who fail to attend examinations for which the Governors or LEA have paid the entry fees will be charged for the missed papers. Back to top

GNVQ

GNVQ (General National Vocational Qualification) allows pupils to follow a broad vocational programme of study which enhances the development of understanding of the adult world and the world of work, as well as improving the pupils' self-esteem and developing their personal skills.

GNVQ full awards are available in Hospitality and Catering (delivered jointly by Barnsley College and Willowgarth's Technology department), Health and Social Care, and Information and Communications Technology and Leisure and Tourism.

Accreditation is by the awarding body City and Guilds. Back to top

Examination Boards

These are the Examination Boards that we use:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/
http://www.ocr.org.uk/
http://www.wjec.co.uk/
http://www.neab.ac.uk/
Click on the links to open windows to their web sites. Back to top

Examination Policy

The examination policy is based on three principles:
1. each pupil has the entitlement to entry to public examinations.
2. all pupils need practice and training in preparation for their external examinations at the end of each Key Stage.
3. examinations should stretch and differentiate enabling ALL pupils to experience success. Consequently examinations should not reinforce the message that some children are school failures. Back to top

Internal Examinations

Internal examinations are useful indicators of future performance and as instruments for course evaluation and diagnosis. However, their main aim must be the development of study and recall skills and examination technique. For these reasons 'mock' examinations in Y11, Yl0 and Y9 should be presented to pupils as important events, and teachers wil take time, beforehand, to advise on revision methods, spotting question types, model answers, timing, etc. Back to top

Assessment

Continuous assessment of pupils' work and achievement is vital, both as a diagnostic and motivational process. Assessment will be frequent, varied and cover both school and homework. Regular feedback to pupils and suggestions for improvement are vital, and forms the basis for updating pupils' records.
Pupils are made aware of the nature, timing and likely demands of assessed coursework. In particular they will need help in planning and phasing their assignments so that the burden of coursework can be spread throughout the course. All pupils are provided with homework diaries to enable this. Back to top

Examination Entry Criteria

1. All pupils will be entered for the appropriate NC KS3, GCSE and vocational examination.
2. Subject to the exceptions below (and in the possible exercise of the headteacher's discretion in individual cases), decisions regarding the entry of pupils following a particular subject to KS3, (ICSE or vocational level in that subject are the responsibility of the headteacher, who will take advice from the head of department.
3. Pupils considered capable of examination success will be recommended for entry; borderline cases will be given the benefit of the doubt.
4. Where the HoD/subject judges that a particular pupil will fail because of a complete lack of coursework or very poor attendance, s/he may advise the head not to enter that pupil. (This advice will be in writing stating the reason for non-entry.) Back to top

Differentiated papers

In subjects for which there are differentiated papers, the recommendation of papers for individual pupils rests with the HoD/subject. S/he may wish to discuss this with the pupils individually and/or with parents at the Y11 Parents Evening (January). However, where a pupil has an unrealistic expectation of success (either too high or too low) the final decision should rest on the HoD/subject's professional judgement of which paper will produce the best result. Back to top

Estimated grades

It is the responsibility of HoD/subject to provide estimated grades at the end of October Y11 and again by 31 January Y11. The former is to enable the tutoring process of individual Y11 pupils, the latter is a requirement of the examination boards. Back to top

Study Leave

This will be awarded to those Year 11 pupils entered for public examinations each year. The period of study leave will be decided by the headteacher annually, after taking advice from the HoD/subjects and SMT and after taking consideration of the examination timetable for that year. Legally, pupils taking study leave will be classed as being on Authorised Absence in this period. Pupils will remain on roll until the final Friday in June of Year 11. Back to top

Public Examination timetables (KS3 and KS4)

These are prepared by examination boards and are distributed to pupils by the Examinations Officer. Back to top

Y9, Y1O and Y11 Internal examinations

Dates for these examinations will be determined annually by the Director of Studies in consultation with HoD/subjects. There are internal examinations in English, Maths and Science at KS3 and in each GCSE subject in Y10 and Y11. Each HoD/subject is responsible for preparation of the examination paper, the supply of all resources necessary for the conduct of the examination, and allocation of marking. Back to top

Cognitive Assessment Tests

Since September 1997, all new pupils have taken CAT tests in order that they may be placed accurately in sets, and in the case of Y7, so that they can be taught by Successmaker as efficiently as possible. These are arranged, invigilated, marked and analysed by the Director of Studies, who is also responsible for providing departments with the results of the tests. Back to top

Invigilation

Invigilation will be organised by the Assistant Head-Cover coordinator. Wherever possible invigilation will come from staff who would be normally teaching the pupils in the examination. As a general rule examinations require a pupil: teacher ratio of 30:1. The Assistant Head will use non-teaching adults for examination invigilation as appropriate eg. ITT students, SMSA's and technicians. Examination invigilation takes priority over other responsibilities of teachers, e.g. break duties will need to be swapped if necessary. Back to top