Exams
Assessments
We have three teaching and learning cycles each academic year. In weeks ten and eleven, students, complete formal assessments in each of the subjects they study.
Students will be issued with a personalised timetable the week beforehand so they know what assessments they have and when.
Termly Reports
Each term, parents are provided with a full update on the progress, effort and behaviour for their child in each subject, as well as their attendance and the number of merits / demerits they have accrued.
We use the platform Go4Schools to allow parents to access ‘live’ data on their child whenever they wish. For details of how to access this information or support, please click here.
Parents Evenings
Parents Evenings are held throughout the year giving parents the opportunity to discuss student progress with members of Isca Academy staff. Bookings for these evenings are now made electronically through the Parent Evening Booking System. Log-in details will be emailed to parents approximately 10 days before the event and they can then make appointments via the website www.parents-booking.co.uk/isca
Dates for 2024/25 are as follows:
Year 7 Thursday 10th October 2024
Year 8 Thursday 30th January 2025
Year 9 Thursday 8th May 2025
Year 10 Thursday 14th November 2024
Year 11 Thursday 9th January 2025
Appointments are usually available between 4:00pm and 7:00pm on these dates.
Year 10 & 11 Mock Exams - November 2024
Year 10 & 11 Mock Exams will run from Monday 25th November 2024 - Friday 29th November 2024.
A timetable for the November Mock Exams can be found here.
Summer Exams 2024
The Summer Exams 2024 (GCSE and Vocational) timetable has now been confirmed and can be found here. This will be uploaded to 'My Child at School' and can be viewed by logging in to your account.
Please note that Year 10s, together with a few Year 11s (new Students and those re-sitting) will be sitting all English Literature papers. Individual timetables will be distributed to Students after the completion of the March Mock exams.
All candidates need to be available up until and on the following days: THURSDAY 6TH JUNE, THURSDAY 13TH JUNE & WEDNESDAY 26TH JUNE. This is in the event of a national disruption/change from the exam boards. Please ensure you/your child is available for all these dates.
Results day will be on Thursday 22nd August 2024.
LATENESS
If a candidate arrives to an exam after the paper has already been started they may not be allowed to enter the room so it is imperative that students arrive on time.
EXAM ROOM RULES
- Candidates are not permitted to communicate with any other candidates during an exam.
- Candidates are not allowed to have a mobile phone, watches (digital/analogue/smart) or revision notes on their person. These items need to be in bags before entering the exam room.
- If a candidate is found to be in possession of any of the above, we are duty bound to inform the exam board who may decide to invalidate their exam paper, even if the device is switched off.
- Candidates cannot leave an exam room early even if they have finished their paper.
- Candidates are not permitted to eat or drink during exams with the exception of water. The water should be in a transparent bottle with the label removed.
- Candidates must show respect to and follow the invigilators at all times.
EQUIPMENT FOR EXAMS
All candidates need to ensure they have a black pen (blue is not permitted), HB pencil & scientific calculator. All calculator lids need to be removed and any pencil cases need to be transparent.
EXAM CLASHES
If there is an examination clash, exams will be sat one after the other. The Exams Officer will be aware of this situation and will speak to any candidate concerned.
General advice
Please take some time to review the documents at the bottom of this page, under the "Exam Board Notices for all Students" heading. This outlines the guidance and restrictions which apply to all students nationally.
Data consent for Exams Access Arrangements
We require written consent from students to share data with the JCQ to process applications for Exams Access Arrangements. All Year 10 students are being asked to complete a consent form. This is to ensure everyone is treated in the same way and in case urgent applications are required for the summer GCSE exam period. Completed consent forms will be held by Inclusion and destroyed if they are not required. Applications for access arrangements will only be made following assessment by and consultation with Inclusion staff. The data consent form and privacy notice are available from the JCQ here.
Other resources & guidance
Revision support - Please see our Guided Revision page
Wellbeing during exams
Exams can be an extremely challenging and stressful time. If you are struggling to manage your mood or anxiety levels, don't keep it to yourself. Talk to someone - family, friends, your teachers and support staff. Have a look at our guide of stress-busting techniques and self-care recommendations.
Coursework/NEA (Non-Examined Assessment work)
If your subject involves coursework (also known as ‘NEA components’), you will have completed this in lesson time or scheduled controlled assessments already. This work is marked internally according to strict marking criteria and you will be provided with your mark by your teacher.
Appeals
If you feel your mark is unfair, you may appeal it. In this case, the school will re-examine your work and the strict marking criteria. Following an appeal, your mark may increase but it may also decrease or remain the same.
If you wish to appeal, you will need to do so before a particular deadline. These deadlines vary for each subject. The exams team or any teacher can advise which deadline applies to a particular subject. To submit an appeal, please notify the Exams team as quickly as possible by email at exams@iscaexeter.co.uk or provide a letter to Mrs Turner (Exams Officer) in F44.
You will be notified of the outcome of the appeal in writing before your mark is submitted to the exam board. Policies outlining the appeals process are below in the ‘Important Information’ section.
Important information - requirements & processes
Exam Board Notices for all Students
Jan 24: Preparing to sit your exams
Jan 24: Information for candidates - written examinations
Jan 24: Information for candidates - on-screen examinations
Jan 24: Information for candidates - coursework assessments
Jan 24: Information for candidates - non-examination assessments
NEW Sept 23: Malpractice Policies and Procedure -2023/24
Sept 22: Unauthorised Items Poster
Jan 22: Warnings to Candidates
Jan 22: Information for Candidates - Social Media
Information for candidates - Privacy Notice
2023 Internal appeals procedure (internal assessment decisions)
2023 Internal appeals procedure (reviews of results & appeals)