MAS11 Newsletter 5.2

2023-24

MAS11 Key Purpose: “Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have the same amount of hours per day that were given to Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo Da Vinci and Albert Einstein.” 

As we approach the start of the GCSE public exams next week, I want to remind you of the importance of preparation, punctuality, and attendance for your child's success.

Exam Dates and Punctuality:

The GCSE exams will commence from Thursday 9th May and continue through to Wednesday 28th June. It's crucial that your child arrives promptly each day, preferably at least 30 minutes before the start time. Late arrivals can cause unnecessary stress and affect their performance.


Revision is Key:

Encourage your child to dedicate ample time to revision. Regular revision is proven to enhance memory retention and boost confidence. Utilize resources such as past papers, revision guides, and online materials. Remember the importance of Pre Exam Revision Lessons (PERLs) which we've emphasised in previous communications.


Attendance to School:

Regular attendance is essential, even during this critical exam period. Every lesson counts towards exam preparation. Missing school can lead to gaps in knowledge and understanding, which could impact exam performance. Please ensure your child attends school unless they are genuinely unwell.


Support and Communication:

We're here to support both you and your child through this challenging time. If you have any concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Working together, we can ensure your child achieves their best possible results.


Previous Newsletter:

If you missed our previous newsletter covering key questions about PERLs, exam absence, and study leave, you can find it here for reference.




To help you during this time here are some common questions from parents and students.

Are there pre-exam revision lessons (PERLs) before the exam?

Students will experience a thorough and extensive revision class prior to the exam for that subject.  For example an afternoon exam will result in a morning master class on the same day and a morning exam will result in an afternoon masterclass the day before the exam whenever possible. This is a great opportunity for students to ask any last minute questions they may have as well as correcting any misconceptions. The current timetable for the pre exam revision sessions is linked here. Please note this is a live document and details may change prior. Roomings will be added shortly. A copy of the timetable can also be found on the MAS11 website. This timetable has been explained during this week's assembly and will be reinforced through subject teachers.


What if my child is unwell on the day of the exam?

Parents/Carers need to telephone the academy to explain why.  Information must be passed to Mrs Rosie-Exams Manager on



Is there study leave? 

The short answer is that there is no study leave. Students will remain in lessons for as long as possible. We anticipate a two phase approach to lessons in school: 


Phase 1 – normal lessons continue, students attend exams. If subjects have finished, students will have the opportunity to revise for other subjects in their timetabled lessons.  Students will be expected to attend every lesson unless they have a public exam.

Phase 2 – students prepare for exams at home and come to school for exams. We have not decided on dates for this phase yet, but will confirm this as soon as we can. We do not expect phase 2 to start until June at the earliest. 


When is the last day? 

The short answer is whenever their last exam is.  We know the ‘last day’ for many students is a day to celebrate and sign shirts etc. We want to celebrate with them too and will hold an event after the exams have finished to do this.  We will confirm the date as soon as we can.  We do not expect students to sign shirts or celebrate before then. Students must be available for exams until 26th June 2024.


Planned Industrial Action-train Strikes

Parents should be aware that there are planned transport strikes next week during the GCSE public exam period, and they will be expected to arrange appropriate transport to ensure their child arrives on time to sit their exams. 


Lastly I would like to thank those who have already paid for the Yr11 Leavers Prom which will take place at the Spa Hotel on Wednesday 19th June.  All remaining balances will need to be paid by 24th May . All payments can be made in instalments via the school payment system-Scopay. If you do have any issues with payments please do not hesitate to contact me via email. I look forward to writing to you all again soon and thank you for supporting your child through their revision as we approach the 2024 GCSE public exams.


Yours sincerely,

Mr Stamato

Assistant Principal & Deputy Head of Earhart College

Parents/Carers Checklist ;

Key Dates