Dear Parent[s] and Carer[s],
As we approach the start of the GCSE examination period, I write to provide you with essential information relating to exams, attendance and academy expectations.
It is essential that students use their time effectively in the final few weeks before the exams begin. Students can find advice on helpful revision techniques, exam stress and the GCSE exam timetable on the Key Stage 4 Revision Website.
End of term arrangements
Students should attend school full-time until their final exam. On Wednesday 17th June, students will be invited to attend an end-of-exam celebration from 2pm, where they will be able to return their Chromebooks, pick up their prom tickets and sign each other’s shirts if they so wish.
School timetable
After school intervention will continue until the GCSE exam begins. Once they have started then intervention will be focused on the exam that occurs on the next day. Students will also have exam booster sessions prior to the exam to give them the best preparation.
Uniform
Please ensure your child attends all formal examinations in full school uniform. Maintaining our high standards for appearance reinforces the importance of this key period in your child’s education.
Half-term Intervention
Many students will be invited to attend booster sessions during the May half-term break. These sessions are subject-specific and designed to offer focused support. If your child is invited, you will receive a personalised letter with further details in the coming weeks
Chromebook Return
Student Chromebooks and chargers must be returned to the Academy on Wednesday 17th June. For any devices not returned to the academy by Monday 23rd June, parents will be invoiced £50.
Prom
Year 11 students are invited to attend Prom on Wednesday 24th June 2026 between 7 – 10pm. Tickets cost £18 and payment can be made via Parentpay. Tickets will be exchanged for students’ Chromebooks and chargers on Wednesday 17th June and will need to be presented on arrival. Please note: students will not be issued with their prom ticket unless they hand in their device and charger, or, in those cases where payments for broken chromebooks remain outstanding, we request that payment is made before we issue their prom ticket.
The evening promises to be a lovely celebration for both our students and academy staff. Please note, however, that in order to ensure that this event is a suitably joyous and fitting commemoration, representative of the hard work and dedication of our Prom committee, we will be operating a strict no alcohol and [e]cigarette policy, and searches will be conducted upon entry. Any students carrying, or suspected of consuming alcohol prior to the event will be refused entry and parent[s] or carer[s] will be asked to collect. It is important to note that only current LAB year 11 students are able to attend this event.
LAB16 Taster Day
We are also pleased to remind students of our upcoming LAB16 Taster Day on Tuesday 30th July. This is a valuable opportunity for prospective year 12 students to find out more about what it’s like to be a LAB16 student, sample the academic challenge of the IB courses we offer at Post-16 and meet other prospective students. Full details will be shared with applicants and offer holders closer to the time.
Results
Students are invited to attend LAB on Thursday 20th August to collect their GCSE and BTEC examination results, when they will also be able to enrol in LAB16 for their IB Diploma or IB Careers-related programme. If students are nominating someone else to collect results on their behalf you will be asked to complete a google form, which will be shared with you closer to results day. This person will also need to bring ID with them on the day. Further information regarding results day will be shared with you once the exam season has concluded.
Exam Arrival Times
For morning exams, all students should arrive prior to 08:20 in time to line up, ready to go into the exam hall at 08.30. For afternoon exams, all students should arrive in time to line up, ready to go into the exam hall at 13:05.
Students should wear full school uniform during the examination period, not PE kit. LAB behaviour and attitude expectations continue to apply to all students at all times.
Arriving late for an Exam
If a candidate is late for an exam, they may not be allowed to enter the examination room and sit the exam. If they are permitted to enter, the awarding body may not accept their script.
Absence or Illness during Exams
Once a candidate is identified as absent from an examination, the following action will be taken:
● The parent[s] or carer[s] will be contacted immediately as to their whereabouts, and as far as possible, arrangements will be made to ensure their immediate arrival.
If a candidate fails to sit an examination, the following action will be taken:
● A confirmed candidate’s absence will be recorded on the attendance register which is sent to the examiner.
Malpractice
The list below is not exhaustive and other instances of malpractice may be considered:
● Plagiarism of any nature;
● Working collaboratively with others;
● Copying (including the use of ICT to aid copying);
● Deliberate destruction of another’s work;
● Fabrication of results or evidence;
● False declaration of authenticity in relation to the contents of a portfolio or coursework;
● Impersonation by pretending to be someone else in order to produce the work for another or arranging for another to take one’s place in an assessment / examination / test.
In the event of malpractice Leigh Academy Blackheath must:
● Inform the awarding body immediately of any alleged, suspected or actual incidents of malpractice or maladministration, involving a candidate, by completing the appropriate documentation;
● Gather evidence of any instances of alleged or suspected malpractice in accordance with the JCQ publication Suspected Malpractice – Policies and Procedures.
Malpractice may result in penalties such as a written warning, loss of marks, disqualification from the qualification, or possibly even being banned from taking assessments for a number of years.
Please note: as a registered exam centre, Leigh Academy Blackheath is legally required to follow the above.
Cost for Missed Exams
Please note that the academy pays entry fees in the expectation that each child will be present for the exam. Should a student miss an exam for reasons other than illness, parents and carers will be invoiced the relevant entry fee for each missed examination.
Donating uniform and revision material
If you have any used uniform or revision guides that you would like to donate then these can be handed in to the Student Service Managers (SSM’s) at the end of term.
Support
Finally, can I take this opportunity to ask for your ongoing support regarding your child’s engagement with a consistent, well-balanced revision programme at home. It is essential that the remaining time both up to, and during the exam period is used effectively: with a good balance between purposeful revision as well as wellbeing activities and rest. Please refer to the revision site on our website for further guidance and information on how to support your child.
Yours faithfully,
Mr J Smith | Assistant Principal