Exams Information

General Information

Lodestar Academy will support students every step of the way with their exam preparation, giving them the knowledge and skills that they need so that they can achieve their full potential.  It is vitally important that students help us help them by making sure that they regularly attend school and engage with their provision to achieve the best outcomes for themselves. 

It is normal for students to feel some anxiety about exams, and students know that they can speak to their teachers, tutor or the Exams Officer if they have any queries or concerns.  There are some fantastic tips on the Mind Website about mindfulness during the exam season.

There are also lots of resources available to our students so that they know what to expect on exam days.  Students and Parents/Carers should take the time to read these resources so that everyone is as prepared as they can be and understands the rules and regulations that should be adhered to. 

GCSE Examination Timetable 2025/26

Information for Candidates 

Ofqual Student Guide to Exams

Student Exam Guide 2025/26

An examination timetable will be sent to Parents/Carers in March 2025, once all the exam entries have been made to the awarding bodies by the Exams Officer.  Students will also be given a booklet of examination rules and regulations that are set out by the individual exam boards and the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).  

When exam time comes around, it is important that we all work together to ensure that our students have a positive exam experience, and although we understand that it can be a challenging and daunting time for some, we must emphasize that the strict regulations that are set out by the JCQ must be adhered to.  Lodestar Academy is required to report any malpractice or suspected malpractice to the exam boards, who will then decide on a penalty, which could result in a student being disqualified from the examination, and potentially any future examinations with any exam board.  We will work with students to ensure that they understand the requirements and will of course support them in the best way possible. These rules and regulations include, but are not limited to the following:

• Exams will start promptly at the time stated on the examination timetable.  (AM exams start at 9.30am and PM exams start at 1.30pm).  We may be required to report late arrivals to the exam board, as they cause complications, distract other students and could even mean that the student cannot sit the exam
   
• Mobile phones and other electronic devices, including headphones are not permitted
   
• Watches must not be worn, including analogue, digital or smart watches
   
• Notes of any kind are not permitted in the exam room
   
• Should an evacuation of the building be required throughout the exam, candidates must leave the room following instructions from the Invigilator, and must not communicate with anyone - failure to adhere to this could result in disqualification
   
• Candidates must not leave the exam room at any time without permission from the Invigilator 
   
• Communication with other candidates at any point during the exam is strictly forbidden
   
• Candidates must not open their exam paper until the Invigilator officially starts the exam
   
• Plagiarism, including the use of AI, is strictly prohibited for all exam components, including any coursework elements

On the day of the exam, a trained invigilator (our invigilators are all members of existing Lodestar Academy staff) will be responsible for running the exam process and ensuring that all regulations are adhered to. The Invigilator will remind all candidates of the regulations at the beginning of the exam.

Further Reading/Information

JCQ Information for Candidates - Written Exams 2025/26

JCQ Information for Candidates - Coursework 2025/26

JCQ Information for Candidates - On-Screen Tests 2025/26

JCQ Information for Candidates - Non Examination Assessment 2025/26

JCQ Information for Candidates - Social Media 2025/26

JCQ Information for Candidates AI 2025/26

Malpractice & Maladministration Policy 2025/26

Complaints & Appeals Policy 2025/26

Exam Access Arrangements

Exam access arrangements are ‘reasonable adjustments’ for students who have a disability or a \z special educational need that significantly affects them in exams. Learners who may need access arrangements fall broadly into three categories:

• Those with a permanent or long-term medical condition, disability or learning difficulty.
• Those who have a temporary injury that arises at the time of the exam.
• Those who have English as an additional language.

The underlying rationale for exam access arrangements is very clear. They exist to provide reasonable adjustments to allow equality of access to assessment in education. They aim to allow students the opportunity to ‘show what they know and can do without changing the demands of the assessment’.

The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo), Katherine Lane, is responsible for applying for access arrangements.  

If you have questions about exams, please contact our Exams Officer, Paula George on 0333 360 2240 or email paula.george@lodestaracademy.tsat.uk

Contingency Day 2026

The contingency day/s are used where there is national disruption to an exam. The Contingency Day for the Summer 25/26 series is 24th June 2026. You will need to make sure that you are available to come in to school up to and on this date if an exam board need to move an exam for security reason.

Exam Results Day 2026

GCSE exams results day is TBC. Students should come to the academy between 11.00am - 12.00noon to collect their results.