EXAMS AND ASSESSMENTS
We believe that learning is the process by which students acquire and assimilate knowledge, concepts, skills and attitudes to enable them to make greater sense of the world.
We offer a broad and balanced curriculum to all students, which aims to both inspire them and equip them for life beyond school. We are proud of our excellent progression rates into further and higher education and employment including apprenticeships.
If you have any questions relating to examinations, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Lisa Winston, Exams Officer:
Email: l.winston@honley.tlt.school
Telephone: 01484 506484
Heads of Department for 2023/2024 are:
Art - Mr T Smith
Design & Technology - Mr B Myers
English - Mrs R Sweeney-Hirst
Geography - Mrs H Hill
History - Mr J Pulsford
Identity Curriculum - Mrs G Darwin
Maths - Miss J Hall
MFL - Mrs R Green
Performing Arts - Mr J Cotgrave
PE - Mr N O’Connor
Science - Mr M Clee
Social Sciences - Mrs E Tiffany
Assessments
Throughout the year, students are assessed and their progress is shared with parents/carers. A report is sent home, via the Arbor Parent Portal, each term for students in Years 7 to 10 and twice a year for students in Year 11.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
In Years 7 and 8, we deliver the full suite of core and foundation subjects to enable our students to prepare effectively for Key Stage 4. We offer English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, ICT, Spanish, iGEN, RE, Music, Drama, Art, PE and Technology (including Food, Textiles and Design Technology).
In Year 9, students go through a full options process to select their final Key Stage 4 subjects.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)
It is our expectation that the majority of students will study a range of GCSEs leading to the English Baccalaureate (EBacc*) along with other GCSEs and/or vocational courses. All students follow a common curriculum which includes English, Mathematics, Science, PE, iGEN and one Humanities subject, alongside their options choices. Where appropriate, students are guided to pursue a Modern Foreign Language.
*The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a performance measure for schools, awarded when students secure a grade 4 or above at GCSE level across a core of five academic subjects – English, Mathematics, History or Geography, Sciences and a Language.
Qualifications (2023-2024)
Students attending Honley may, according to their abilities, be able to take courses leading to the following qualifications:
Subject and Exam Board
Art and Design - AQA
Art and Design: Textiles - AQA
Art and Design: Photography - AQA
Biology - AQA
Business Studies - Edexcel (Y11) / Enterprise & Marketing - OCR (Y10)
Chemistry - AQA
Child Development - OCR
Citizenship - AQA
Combined Science - AQA
Computer Science - OCR
Construction - WJEC
Design Technology - AQA
English Language - Eduqas/WJEC
English Literature - Eduqas/WJEC
Food and Nutrition - WJEC (Y11) / Hospitality & Catering - WJEC (Y10)
Geography - OCR
Health and Social Care - Cambridge National
History - AQA
ICT Creative iMedia - OCR
Mathematics - Edexcel
Music (BTEC) - Edexcel (Y11) / Eduqas/WJEC (Y10)
Performing Arts: Acting (BTEC) - Edexcel (Y11) / Eduqas/WJEC (Y10)
PE (GCSE) - Edexcel
Physics - AQA
Religious Studies - AQA
Spanish - AQA
Statistics - Edexcel
Year 11 GCSE Mock Exams 2023
We hold sets of mock examinations which are run to replicate the ‘real thing’ as closely as possible. They provide students with a realistic opportunity to practice their examination skills and test their knowledge.
The mocks in November are also used to determine students’ predicated grades which are sent to the further education colleges and sixth forms. It is essential that students complete all their mock examinations.
Mock Examination Dates for 2023/2024
Monday 2 October to Wednesday 4 October 2023 – Core Subjects (English Lit, Lang and Maths)
Monday 27 November to Friday 8 December 2023 – All Subjects
Monday 4 March to Thursday 14 March 2024 – Mocks – All Subjects
Year 11 GCSE Exams 2024
The GCSE examinations run from Thursday 9 May to Wednesday 19 June 2024. The school specific Summer Timetable will be available on the school website, and will be displayed on the exams noticeboard in school. Practical examinations and controlled assessments will be scheduled in the weeks prior to the main examination season and students will be informed by their subject teachers accordingly.
The Awarding Bodies also set a contingency day which in 2024 has been set for Wednesday 26 June 2024. This is in case of widespread disruption to exams meaning an exam cannot happen on its timetabled day. All students must, therefore, be available up until and including Wednesday 26 June 2024.
In February 2024, students will receive a copy of their Statements of Entry. This must be carefully checked to confirm that all details including name, date of birth and subject entries, including tiers are correct. If students think an entry is incorrect, they must talk to their subject teacher, who will request that the entry be amended if necessary.
Individual exam timetables will be issued the week commencing 22 April 2024. An exam handbook will then be available to all students via the shared area (at school), and this handbook will also be available on the school website for you to access. Students must check these documents carefully.
GCSE results will be published on Thursday 22 August 2024. Students will be invited to school to collect their statement of results between 10.00am and 11.00am.
Key Documents
All our exams are run in accordance with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).
We have compiled a helpful ‘Exams Handbook’ for students. This includes essential information about the exam process and frequently asked questions. Additionally, key information from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) is included in the appendices below.
Key Documents
Year 10 Mock Exams 2024
At the end of June 2024, all Year 10 students will sit their formal mock GCSE examinations. These will be conducted under full exam conditions in the same way as their GCSE exams will be the following summer.
These exams help staff monitor the progress students have made this year and identify which students may require additional support during Year 11 and in subsequent exams.
Students will receive a personal exam timetable closer to the start of the exams, and this will include arrangements if two exams are scheduled at the same time.
Exams Policies
Please note these are currently being reviewed (September 2023)
Appendix 6 - Exams - Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
Appendix 9 - Exams - Access Arrangments Policy - please see the main Exams Policy