External Examinations


Examinations can be an incredibly stressful time for students, parents and carers and it is important that the students and their families are as prepared as possible. To ensure that all students at Stourport High School receive the best possible outcomes we adhere to the JCQ rules and regulations for conducting examinations when completing mock assessments and external examinations.

Summer Exam Season 2024:

JCQ have released provisional dates for the Summer 2024 Examination Season:

  • GCSE examinations begin on 9 May 2024 and finish on 19 June 2024, practical and vocational assessments may however take place outside of this window. 
  • GCE examinations begin on 13 May 2023 and finish on 25 June 2024, however vocational assessments may take place outside of this window.

The morning exam session starts at 9am, the afternoon examination sessions start at 1.00pm. Students should be lined up ready to be called into the examination venue at least 15 minutes before the examination official start time. 

Where students have classes on their timetable where 2 or more examinations are scheduled simultaneously students and parents will be contacted to discuss individual arrangements for the day to ensure students receive sufficient breaks throughout the day.

Contingency Dates:

The awarding bodies have collectively agreed a contingency day for several years which is always scheduled at the end of the GCSE and GCE timetables. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, resilience is needed within the exam timetables in case of a national event or incident having a significant effect on the examination timetable, for example extremely high temperature affecting summer exams. 

Students and parents should be aware that the national contingency date for the Summer 2024 Season is 26 June 2024. All students should remain available until Wednesday 26 June 2024 should examinations need to be rescheduled.

As well as being available for all examination contingency dates, all students must remain onsite and in school full time until they have completed outstanding coursework. Failure to complete this work may result in parents and carers receiving a bill for the incomplete course.

Preparing to Sit Examinations:

All students sitting external examinations in the Summer Season will be emailed and given a paper copy of their examination timetable to keep, as well as being asked to sign the Candidate Declaration Form, showing that they fully understand the examination Rules and Regulations. They will also be fully briefed a number of times during the academic year on the JCQ Regulations for Examinations.  On Your Exam Day

Information for Candidates:

Malpractice:

It is the responsibility of the Head of Centre, Mrs Peace to report all alleged, suspected or actual incidents of malpractice involving candidates, teachers, invigilators and other administrative staff to the relevant awarding body. The links below detail procedures that are followed when malpractice is alleged, suspected or discovered. They also list examples of malpractice and the penalties for infringements of examination regulations.  JCQ Malpractice Policies and Procedures

At the start of each examination students are reminded of the rules and regulations as set out by the JCQ for conduct during examinations. Students found to be in breach of these regulations will be reported to the awarding body.

Please familiarise yourselves with the following posters that are displayed outside all examination venues:

The JCQ definition of plagiarism refers to copying from published texts whether these are in print or on the internet, but it can also refer to essays or pieces of work previously submitted for assessments by others or manufactured artefacts. 

Plagiarism can most easily occur during non- examination assessments, it calls into question the integrity of examinations and assessments, we have a duty as a school to do whatever we can to address plagiarism. Plagiarism in Assessments

A growing concern for teachers and assessors is the use of AI to generate work for students. AI use refers to the use of Artificial Intelligence tools to obtain information and content which might be used in work produced for assessments which lead towards qualifications. Awarding bodies are increasing their monitoring and capabilities of identifying potential AI use and the JCQ states that  ‘Students who misuse AI such that the work they submit for assessment is not their own will have committed malpractice, in accordance with JCQ regulations, and may attract severe sanctions’

We are aware that AI tools are still being developed and there are often limitations to their use, such as producing inaccurate or inappropriate content. While the range of AI tools, and their capabilities, is likely to expand greatly in the near future, all students are discouraged from using AI and encouraged to check their work using free online checkers.  AI Use in Assessments

Special Consideration:

An application for special consideration can be made for candidates that have been affected at the time of their assessment or external examination. It is for students who have temporarily experienced illness, injury or some other event outside of their control. To find a comprehensive guide to the special consideration process for all qualifications please use the link below:

If you have any questions relating to your son/daughter’s examinations dates, timetables, results or certificates please contact our Examinations Officer by email to: Ayarnold@shs.saet.co.uk