Exams Handbook

The Crypt School

Exam Handbook Summer 2026

Contents Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Instructions for a Fire Alarm During an Exam…………………………………………………………….

Before Exams………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Exam Regulations……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Your Data…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Statements of Entry…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Exam Timetables…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Contingency Day…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Clashes…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Overnight Supervision…………………………………………………………………………………………………

During Exams………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Exam Timings………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Late Arrival at an Exam……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Illness on the Day of an Exam…………………………………………………………………………………….

Exam Rooms and Seating……………………………………………………………………………………………

How you are Identified………………………………………………………………........................................

Exam Equipment………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Prohibited Items………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Food and Drink……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Invigilators……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Exam Room…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The Exam Paper…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Behaviour…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Special Consideration………………………………………………………………………………………………….

After Exams………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Exam Results Information…………………………………………………………………………………………...

Statement of Results……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Post Results Services……………………………………………………………………………………………………

August Exam Office Opening Hours…………………………………………………………………………..

Retention of Work……………………………………………………………………..........................................

Certificates…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Appendices………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Appendix 1 No mobile phones poster………………………………………………………………………..

Appendix 2 Warning to candidates poster……………………………………………………………….

Appendix 3 On your exam day…………………………………………………………………………………...

Appendix 4 AI and Assessments – a guide for students…………………………………………..

Appendix 5 Information for candidates: using social media……………………………………...

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Introduction It is the aim of the school to ensure the exam experience is as successful as possible for all students.

This booklet provides regulations, advice and guidance for students and their parents/ guardians.

Please read the booklet carefully and discuss it with your parents/ guardians so that you know the regulations and, in the event of any problems occurring, that you know the procedures to follow.

The exam boards (also referred to as awarding bodies) set down strict criteria which must be followed for the conduct of examinations and the school is required to follow them precisely.

If you or your parents/guardians have any queries or need help or advice at any time before, during or after the examinations, please contact:exams@crypt.gloucs.sch.uk or telephone 01452 530291 and ask for Mrs Coughlin or Mrs Wasley

Should the fire alarm sound during an exam these instructions must be followed in COMPLETE SILENCE. Remain calm and await instructions from the invigilators.

You will be told to stop writing and close your question/answer papers. The time will be recorded.

When asked to do so you must leave the room in silence. Leave all equipment in the exam room.

You will be taken to the designated assembly area where you will be kept separate from the rest of the school.

YOU MUST REMAIN SILENT AND NOT COMMUNICATE with anyone as you are still under exam conditions.

When you return to the exam room do not start writing until the invigilator tells you to do so.

Any time lost will be noted and added to the end of the exam to ensure you get the full time allowed for that exam.

YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY THE INVIGILATORS

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Exam Regulations The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) lay out regulations for examinations. You should read and make sure you understand all the JCQ notices. You must read the documents in the link below.

Information for candidates documents - JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications Pay particular attention to the documents relating to non-examination assessments, written exams and social media. The misuse of Artificial Intelligence is cheating so follow the rules and reference clearly in any non-examined assessments. Talk to your subject teacher for further guidance Candidates who break JCQ regulations will be reported to the exam board. The outcome of a breach in regulations may result in disqualification from a paper, subject or exam board. If you do not understand any of the rules please speak with exams office staff who will explain them to you.

Exam policies, including internal appeals (how you can appeal a non-examined assessment (NEA) mark awarded in school), can be found on the school website. There are strict deadlines for NEA appeals and you are responsible for adhering to them. The exam policies can be found here Your Data Each awarding body has a full privacy notice regarding your data and how they use it: AQA https://www.aqa.org.uk/about-us/privacy-notice OCR https://www.ocr.org.uk/about/our-policies/website-policies/privacy-policy/ Pearson https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/about-us/qualification-brands/gdpr.html WJEC https://www.eduqas.co.uk/home/data-protection/ Statements of entry All candidates receive a statement of entry indicating the subjects they are being entered for and, where applicable, the levels of entry. Some subjects only have one tier of entry; some have foundation or higher tiers. Please check that these are correct. If there are any discrepancies, please let the exams office know so it can be checked. You must check everything on the statement of entry very carefully.

Check that all personal details (date of birth, spelling of names and legal name) are accurate as these will appear on certificates. The exam boards will charge a fee to amend any details printed on certificates, this can cost up to £60 per certificate awarded.

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Exam Timetables A copy of the school’s exam timetables for Summer 2026 is available on the school’s website https://cryptschool.org/learning-at-the-crypt/examination-information/ . Your personal timetable will also be published to the student portal on Bromcom; this will show the exams that you have been entered for with details of the date, time and duration of every exam. Check it carefully. It’s a good idea to take a photo of your timetable on your phone. You will also receive digital copies of the following JCQ documents: Information for Candidates – written exams 2025-26, Information for Candidates – Non Examination Assessments 2025-26, Information for Candidates – On screen tests 2025-26 (if applicable) Information for Candidates – Social Media 2024 (Appendix 4), Unauthorised items poster Appendix 1) and Warning to candidates poster (Appendix 2) – as already mentioned please make sure that you read these and take note of what is said on them.

If you think that there may be an error on your timetable, please visit the exams office immediately.

Make sure that you know exactly when your exams are - especially whether they are morning or afternoon.

Contingency Sessions A contingency day of Wednesday 24th June has been set for the Summer 2026 examinations by the awarding bodies. These are Wednesday 11th June (afternoon) and Wednesday 25th June (all day).

Students should remain available up to and including this date (24th June) in case an exam board needs to invoke its contingency plan. The designation of a ‘contingency day’ within the exam timetable is in the event of national or local disruption to exams. If you are not available during this period for an acceptable reason you will be awarded zero marks for any papers that you miss.

Clashes Some candidates may have a clash of exams, where two or more subjects are timetabled at the same time. The school will make special provisions for these candidates. Clashes will be resolved, and you will receive a letter with your timetable explaining the order you will take exams in and how and when you will be supervised. You will not be able to use the school canteen during a supervised break so should bring all your own refreshments. You will have to hand your bags and revision materials into the exams office before your first exam. You will be supervised by an invigilator at all times.

If you think there is a clash on your timetable that has not been resolved, please tell the exams office immediately.

If a clash of exams totals three hours or less, we cannot give students any longer than a 20 minute supervised break which must be in the exam room. Students are not permitted to revise. If a clash of exams totals more than three hours we are permitted to move an exam to a later or earlier session.

Students can revise in their supervised break.

We are not allowed to move any A or AS level maths exams to a morning session.

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Overnight Supervision Overnight supervision arrangements must only be applied in rare and exceptional circumstances and as a last resort. When candidates are entered for multiple examinations (three or more) which are timetabled for the same day and the total duration is: a) more than six hours for GCE examinations (AS, A2, A-level), including extra time and/or supervised rest breaks; or b) more than five and a half hours for GCSE examinations, including extra time and/or supervised rest breaks; Candidates may be allowed to take an examination the following morning, including Saturdays.

Candidates are not allowed to take examinations on an earlier day than that scheduled on the timetable.

The head of centre will decide if these arrangements are appropriate.

Exam timings Be outside your exam room at least 15 minutes before the start of the exam.

Morning exams start promptly at 9.00am but can start as early as 8.45am.

Afternoon exams start promptly anytime from 1.00pm You are responsible for checking your timetable and arriving at school in good time. Ensure you allow enough time to get to school so that if you are delayed for any reason - e.g. missed bus, heavy traffic etc - you will still arrive in time.

Late arrival at an exam If you are going to be late for your exam you must phone the school and explain why and how long you think you will be. Make sure you leave contact details so that the exams staff can call you to discuss the best plan. If you are very late for an exam the exam board will need to be informed and they may refuse to mark your paper.

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When you do arrive, sign in at reception and they will inform the exams office. You should go straight to your exam room and wait outside until exams staff arrive. They will read the regulations to you outside of the room, take your phone and valuables from you and then escort you to your seat.

Please make sure that your contact numbers are up to date on school records before exams start as we will phone all contacts if you do not arrive for your exam.

Illness on the day of an exam If you are so unwell on the day of the exam that you cannot attend, telephone the school and ask to speak with the exams office. In certain circumstances the school may be able to apply for special consideration for absence from an exam. It is essential that medical or other appropriate evidence is obtained by the candidate or parent and sent to the exams office without delay.

MISSED EXAMS CANNOT BE TAKEN AT A LATER DATE OR TIME

If you are unwell during the exam inform the invigilator at the time. Where appropriate, the school will apply for special consideration - you may be asked to complete a medical form or provide a copy of the prescription for medication you are taking.

Exam rooms and seating The location of exam rooms is displayed on the exam board in the Crush Hall. You should check this when you arrive in school. You will be sat by subject in candidate number order in a snake pattern.

Students with laptops or extra time will generally be sat at the front or side of the hall or front or back of rooms 24 and 25. Some students may be sat in an alternative room. These students will have a history of need with evidence from certain medical professionals (GP evidence is not acceptable).

How you are identified All candidates are required to wear full school uniform for exams. Hair must be tied back. The candidate card placed on your desk must not be moved, damaged or defaced. This must always be displayed.

Candidate cards have your photo on. If you wear a head covering that covers your ears you will be asked to show your ears to an appropriate gender member of staff in a private room.

Exam equipment You should bring all the required equipment to each exam.

Several black biros or pens | pencils | rubbers | sharpener | maths set as required | calculator (without case or lid) where permitted Your pencil case must be clear and have no writing on. Maths sets should be in clear boxes or removed from their original box and the contents placed in your clear pencil case.

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Where the use of a calculator is allowed you are responsible for making sure that your calculator meets the exam boards regulations as below. Should you use a calculator that has an exam mode function you will need to demonstrate it in exams mode and the time lapsed to the invigilators before the exam starts. If you cannot demonstrate this you will not be able to use the calculator.

You may bring highlighters to use in the question paper but you must not use highlighters in your answers.

If you have forgotten any equipment or it breaks whilst you are in the exam room raise your hand and an invigilator will provide what you need. You must never borrow exam equipment from another candidate once you are in the exam room.

Prohibited Items These items must not be brought into the exam room (see Appendix 1) mobile phones, watches, iPods, Air pods, headphones, earphones/ earbuds, electrical devices, web enabled sources of information, glasses cases, calculator lids, textbooks, notes or papers of any kind, metal or opaque plastic maths kits tin/boxes, and any smart devices.

You should have no writing on you. Writing on your hands, arms etc is classed as notes. Non-school issued badges and jewellery with writing on are also classed as notes and must not be worn (school issued badges are acceptable) Mobile phones, earphones, watches and other valuables should be handed in to the invigilators prior to the exam in exchange for a numbered token. They will be secured and returned to you at the end of the exam after we have dealt with your answer papers. Alternatively, you may leave these items in your bag outside the exam room, but this is done entirely at your own risk.

Food and Drink Only water in a see-through bottle or container with labels removed and no logos or writing on may be brought into the exam room. A sports cap is preferred, and the bottle should be placed on the floor. Food is not allowed unless there is a specific need and arrangements have been made with the exams office staff.

If you require medication to be available during the exam see the exams office staff beforehand.

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Invigilators Invigilators are in the exam room to supervise the conduct of the examination. They will distribute and collect the exam papers, give out instructions relating to the exam, hand out extra writing paper or equipment if required and deal with any problems that occur during the examination, for example: if a candidate is feeling unwell.

If you need to attract the attention of an invigilator raise your hand clearly.

The exam room You will remain outside the exam room until you are invited in by the invigilators. You must enter the exam room in silence, as from the moment you enter you are under exam conditions. You must go straight to your seat and must not communicate with any other candidates in any way.

If you have access arrangements such as a laptop or extra time and these are not provided, please tell an invigilator immediately.

Remember that you must always follow the instructions of the invigilators in the exam room.

You must not borrow equipment from another candidate. This will be treated as communicating.

You may go to the toilet during an exam but the time will not be added to the exam finish time.

Once inside the room JCQ exam regulations apply and you MUST be silent. You must not talk or communicate nonverbally with other students until the exam has ended and you have left the exam room.

Communication of any kind is classed as malpractice and must be reported to the exam boards.

After papers have been collected in you should remain seated in silence until you are dismissed by the invigilators.

When outside the exam room remember to show consideration for other candidates who may still be working.

The exam paper Do not write anything on the paper until you are told to do so by the invigilator.

Do not open the exam paper until you are told to do so by the invigilator. If you do, this is classed as malpractice and must be reported to the exam boards.

Check you have the correct question paper – check the date, subject, paper name and tier of paper.

Raise your hand clearly if you think you have the incorrect paper.

Listen carefully to the instructions and notices read out by the invigilators – there may be amendments to the exam paper that you need to know about.

Please write your answers in black ink. Remember you must not use correcting fluid/ pens, gel pens or erasable pens.

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Read all questions carefully and number your answers clearly.

If you finish early use the remaining time to recheck your answers, spelling, punctuation, grammar etc.

Cross out any rough work you do not want to be marked with a single line.

Remember to complete your name, candidate number and centre number on all additional answer sheets used and insert them into the front of the answer book.

Question papers, answer booklets and additional paper must not be removed from the exam room.

Do not write or draw anything inappropriate, offensive or obscene in your answer book – you may lose marks if you do

Behaviour The exams office must report every incident that breaches JCQ rules to the exam boards. Standard sanctions awarded to candidates by the exam boards are

1. warning; 2. loss of all marks gained for a section; 3. loss of all marks gained for a component; 4. loss of all marks gained for a unit; 5. disqualification from the unit; 6. disqualification from all units in one or more qualifications taken in the series; 7. disqualification from the whole qualification; 8. disqualification from all qualifications taken in that series; 9. barred from entering for examinations for a set period of time.

Should a report need to be made to the exam board you will be given the opportunity to make a statement. Your parents/guardians will be informed.

Students must behave in a respectful manner towards all invigilators and follow their instructions.

Below are details of sanctions for bringing unauthorised materials into the exam room. For further information and sanctions for other offences see Suspected Malpractice Policies and Procedures 202526 pages 47-52.

Sanctions also apply to malpractice in non-examined assessments and coursework.

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Special Consideration In certain circumstances the school can apply for special consideration for students who are disadvantaged at the time of an exam or assessment. You may be ill or have a family member who is very ill, suffered a bereavement or have significant difficulties at home.

Although the school may apply for special consideration on your behalf the exam boards will decide if it is awarded. Awards range from 0%, where boards recognise there is a disadvantage but not enough to merit a percentage increase to 5% in the most severe cases. Where special consideration is awarded the school is not told the percentage awarded.

Special consideration is not awarded for long term conditions and we cannot apply if you have not been fully prepared or completed the course.

If you think you may qualify please speak with your tutor or head of year or the exams office. Your parent or guardian can also contact school. Please do this as soon as possible so we can comply with JCQ deadlines. You may be required to provide evidence to support the application. You may be asked to provide copies of prescriptions, hospital appointments or referrals etc.

Exam Results Information A Level Results Day Thursday 13th 2026 Year 13 (including AS) results will be available for collection from school from 8am.

(Y12 results will be published to the student portal on Bromcom by 11am.)

GCSE Results Day Thursday 20th August 2026 Year 11 results will be available for collection from school from 8am.

(Y10 & Y9 results will be published to the student portal on Bromcom by 11am.)

Any Y13 or Y11 results not collected on results day by 12pm will be posted to your home address as held on Bromcom

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Y13 or Y11 students who are unable to attend school on results day can nominate someone to collect their results. You must email the exams office, from your Crypt school account, and provide the full name and date of birth of the person you are nominating to collect your results. The person collecting your results must bring their own photo ID with them. Without this ID they will not be given your results.

This also applies to family members.

If you are unable to collect your results or have no-one to collect them on your behalf, they will not be emailed – they will be published to your student portal by 10am.

Statement of results Your statement will provide your provisional grades and will be needed to enrol in sixth form or college.

Where exam boards make marks available on their candidate results slips these will also be provided to candidates. Not all exam boards provide this service. If you find there are no marks displayed, please speak with your subject teacher or exams office staff who will be able to provide them. They will also be able to provide a breakdown of your marks by paper. Subject grade boundaries are available online.

Post Results Services Hopefully you will be pleased with your results but some of you may find it necessary to request a review of your result. You should discuss your results with the relevant member of staff. There are several options Service 1 Clerical re-check which checks the recording, totalling and that all parts of the script have been marked (completion 10 days).

Service 2 Review of marking which is a review of the original marking to ensure that the agreed mark scheme has been applied correctly. Also includes service 1 (completion 20 days).

For A level and some GCSEs a priority service 2 can be requested. It is the same as a service 2 but completed within 15 days. This should be used where your university or college place is dependent on the result. You MUST inform the university/college that you are waiting for a review of a result. They may be able to hold your place pending the result but only if YOU tell them.

Exam boards charge for these services and you will need to pay at the time you make a request.

You should note that results can go down, up or stay the same.

Once you have requested a review it cannot be cancelled.

Details of all fees and services will be available on the school website once exam boards have published their results guides for the summer. They will also be available in school on results day.

All applications must be made using the online form on the exams page of the school website and to verify identity students must be signed into their Crypt school account to complete the form. You will receive a copy of your answers as confirmation that the form has been submitted. Fees must be paid by bank transfer. Applications will only be submitted when the exams office has confirmed receipt of the fee.

Applications not received by the school published deadline will not be processed.

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If the review results in an upward change of overall grade you will receive a refund (usually not until November) Exam office staff will be available to process requests for post results services on results days.

August Exam Office Opening Hours 13th August – 8.00am – 1.00pm 20th August – 8.00am – 1.00pm Retention of Work Centres are required to retain candidates’ marked coursework, under secure conditions, whether it was part of the moderation sample or not, until all possibility of a review of moderation has passed. If no request for collection of work has been submitted to the relevant department, the disposal of all coursework will start in October. If you do not request your work, it will be securely destroyed.

Certificates Certificates are issued to the school after all the reviews of marking have been completed. GCSE certificates are given to students still at the school in November/ December. Former students are invited to return to school in December to collect their A level certificates. The date will be publicised on the school website and Facebook page nearer to the time.

To arrange collecting your certificates at any other time email exams@crypt.gloucs.sch.uk giving two working days’ notice. Please include your full name, date of birth and a contact telephone number.

Certificates will then be available to collect from reception during school hours (8.35am – 3.30pm).

Please bring current photo ID. A friend or relative may collect certificates on your behalf but the school will need signed permission from you authorising the collection. An email sent from your personal university/ college or work email address is also acceptable. The person collecting your certificates must show some of their current photo ID. Certificates are expensive and take time to replace - once you have collected them store them securely.

The school is legally only required to keep certificates for one year after which they can be securely destroyed. We keep certificates for 7 years. If you have lost or not collected your certificates in time you should contact the exam boards for replacements – please see https://www.gov.uk/replacementexam-certificate for more information. The exam boards may ask you for the school’s centre number which is 57117.

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APPENDICES JCQ DOCUMENTATION

APPENDIX 1

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APPENDIX 2

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APPENDIX 3

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APPENDIX 4

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APPENDIX 5

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