The Principal's Newsletter

Last updated February '25

Dear parents and carers,

The first half of the spring term always seems to go very quickly, and this year is no exception. We returned from the Christmas break to go straight into second year mock exams, but staff and students have also found time for lots of extra activities, from the ever-popular annual Battle of the Bands, to visiting speakers talking about werewolves in Literature. For more detail on what’s been happening, do have a look at the College’s Instagram.

We have recently celebrated some superb student achievements in science Olympiads, including a top gold award in the British Astro-Physics and Astronomy Olympiad, which College students entered for the first time this year.

 

Progression

I want to congratulate those students who have received offers to study at a huge range of universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, medical schools, conservatoires and many other higher education institutions in the UK and overseas. Our support for students in their next steps has continued this term, with a very well attended Employment and University fair on 6^th February.

We know parents and carers are keen to know how they can help with progression decisions. As a reminder, lots of information can be found on the Careers and Progression section of College website, but we do also offer in person talks to parents and carers. There is an invitation to the first of these talks, for parents of first year students, below.

 

Summer Exam Season 2025

The majority of the A Level/BTEC/Applied General exams begin on Monday 1^st May and all will end on Monday 23^rd June. Please note that there is a final contingency date on the 25^th June and students shouldn’t book holidays before that date, regardless of their individual exam dates. There are also practical exams and controlled assessments that take place before the 1^st May and students will have been advised of these by their individual teachers.

Students have been issued with their statement of entry, detailing what exams they have been entered for during the exam period alongside the date of these exams. Finalised exam timetables (including seating/learning support arrangements) will be issued to students before the exam season starts. Results day is on Thursday 14^th August and students access their result remotely via their Cedar accounts.

 

Supporting your young person through exams

The Mental Health Support Team (NHS educational mental health practitioners) will be running an exam stress workshop to equip parents with strategies to support their young person with exam anxiety.  The session is online on Wednesday April 23^rd at 7pm.  To book a place please sign up using the link here

 

Revision and exam preparation advice evening

We are excited to invite all parents and carers to a special event on Thursday 6th March, 6.30-7.30. This evening aims to provide valuable guidance on how you can best support your young person in the lead up to and during exam periods.

During the session we will cover practical information on accessing exam timetables and other resources through CEDAR, effective revision strategies, and mindset techniques. We will also discuss how to create a conducive study environment and offer advice for the exam days themselves.

There will be an opportunity to ask general questions at the end of the session. For any specific concerns about your young person, please contact their Personal or Senior Tutor.

This online session may be particularly relevant to parents of second year students, but parents of first years are welcome too.  No need to book: please use this Teams meeting link to join on the day.

 

 

With best wishes,

Jo Cadman