March 2017

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

Re: Year 12Study Leave and AS Examination Results

Study leave will start at 3.35 pm on Thursday 11th May andexaminations for some students will begin on Monday May 15th. It is therefore vital that students have been preparing prior to the start of study leave. Students willbe expected to return to school onMonday 12thJune*. The remaining weeks of school will be used to move on to the next topics in the A level courses and we expect all students to continue with all of their AS levels, making a final decision about which, if any, to drop for Year 13 when results are out in August. This is a busy half term of teaching and university preparation so booking holidays is not appropriate.

It is essential that students make the most of their study opportunities and prepare themselves fully for the forthcoming exams. It is especially important that students check their exam timetables carefully and make a note of dates and times. AS results will be the main factor that we will use to predict grades for UCAS applications and universities may make judgments based on those grades.

In order to carry on into Year 13, students need to achieve at least an E grade at AS level in Year 12. They must achieve at least 3 Es in their main subjects (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking) in order to continue at Prince Henry’s in Year 13. We expect all our Year 13 students to be studying 3 subjects so that we can create a viable timetable and there will not be an option of taking up a new AS level alongside year 12 students as the new year 12 will be following an entirely linear 2 year programme of A levels.

As part of the preparation for university and future careers we will hold a ‘Next Step’ conference on Wednesday 21st June. In addition there will be a talk to parents on Thursday15th June explaining the university application process and how you can support your child.

* Students who will be taking their Mathematics AS examination on Wednesday 14th will be in school on Monday 12th and have Tuesday 13th as study leave. Similarly those Further Maths students sitting an examination on Tuesday 20thJune will be able to take the day off on the 19th to prepare.

AS Examination results

'AS' Level ResultsThursday August 17th

The school will be open between 9.30 am and 1.00 pm for the collection of

results and Consultation.

Consultation Day Friday August 18th

The school will be open between 9.30 am and 2.00 pm for Consultation.

A number of senior members of staff will be available at the above times to offer any guidance necessary to students who feel they need help. Can I appeal to you, to ensure that, if at all possible your son/daughter is available on these dates as it may be necessary to discuss their options, which becomes very difficult if students are away on holiday.

Could I draw your attention to the Public Examinations 2017Conduct of Examinations

1.Students will be issued with a personal examination timetable which will have details of exam times, these may differ from the times that other students have if there are clashes of examinations.

2.Every examination is a school attendance and candidates not in proper school uniform may be refused admission to the exam room.

3.Students must be punctual; generally morning exams will start at 9.30 am and afternoon exams at 1.30 pm. Any variation in times will be on the personal timetable. Where students have two or more papers in any one session, one of the sessions will be moved earlier or later that day, this will be on the personal exam timetable.

4.Students must attend all sessions, if they are delayed they must phone the school. If students are ill a medical certificate must be sent to the school so that the exam board can be informed. Any unauthorised absence will result in no grade being awarded for that subject. Students should arrive 15 minutes before the start of each exam.

5.Students will not be allowed to leave the exam room before the exam ends; they must make arrangements to get home if the exam goes on after normal school hours.

6.Mobile telephones and all other types of electronic devices must not be taken into the examination room under any circumstances and if they are this could result in immediate disqualification from that exam and potentially all exams. This includes wrist watches with data storage.

7.The rules for conduct in the exam room must be obeyed absolutely. These are available on the school website and will be posted outside each exam room and it is a student’s responsibility to familiarise themselves with them.

8.If students have an exam clash they should check with Mrs Wall to see what arrangements have been made.

9.If students attend school for revision lessons or extra help during study leave they must wear full school uniform, even if they are only calling in briefly.

Finally may I take this opportunity to wish your son or daughter every success with their examinations.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs C Webb

Head of Sixth Form