(AGENPARL) – lun 22 aprile 2024 Everything you need to prepare for exams this year
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Teacher Bulletin
In this edition of the Teacher Bulletin, you’ll find a selection of resources and information for teachers, to help students prepare for exams and manage stress.  
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Exam stress – useful resources for teachers, parents and pupils
We are aware that exams have the potential to exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress amongst young people. That is why it’s important that whilst pupils should be encouraged to work hard, this should not be at the expense of their wellbeing.? 
There is a range of advice and guidance for students and parents to help alleviate or lessen the anxiety they have about sitting exams, including: 
* NHS Help your child beat exam stress [ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/advice-for-parents/help-your-child-beat-exam-stress/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 
* Anna Freud: How to identify the signs of academic stress, and ways to help [ https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/factors-that-impact-mental-health/school-based-risk-factors/academic-and-exam-stress/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 
* Student Minds – resources, tips and blogs about exam stress [ https://www.studentminds.org.uk/examstress.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]  
* Ofqual: Coping with exam pressure – a guide for students  [ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coping-with-exam-pressure-a-guide-for-students/coping-with-exam-pressure-a-guide-for-students?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]
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Webinars you can sign up for: support in the lead up to exams 
* 30 April | [ https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/67e9317b-f6f4-42c3-bf8f-ca33b3b36325@8e336469-1c6b-4b0b-a06c-748a7c586f7c?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 12:15-13:00pm: Ofqual’s Chief Regulator for school, college and exam centre leaders [ https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/67e9317b-f6f4-42c3-bf8f-ca33b3b36325@8e336469-1c6b-4b0b-a06c-748a7c586f7c?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 
* 2 May | [ https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/67e9317b-f6f4-42c3-bf8f-ca33b3b36325@8e336469-1c6b-4b0b-a06c-748a7c586f7c?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 12:30-13:15pm: National Tutoring Programme webinar for schools on how to make the most of your funding in the final term [ https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c89556be-1aa8-4827-913b-ac09593fff71@fad277c9-c60a-4da1-b5f3-b3b8b34a82f9?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0Voq9HvmF_H6KvZ2u2XYcZPnw5GvmzDGjZeg61T3qFGXvW8FHLGiCetTI_aem_AdN1gElbUm7kTKCX5XJvnISgYqEseo6GgEO3cCdvw-g0vILAcf7yM2IpoeeNsYFsdTgApSIiAB_MCN1F1aWZ403i&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 
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Using the National Tutoring Programme to support pupils with exams
Schools can use their National Tutoring Programme (NTP) grant [ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-tutoring-programme-ntp-allocations-for-2023-to-2024-academic-year?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] to support pupils preparing for exams, even during the summer holidays. This can help maximise the use of your school’s allocation and give pupils an extra boost during exam season and in preparation for next year.  
As this is the final term of NTP, schools will receive their third and final instalment in April or May, which can be spent up until 31 August 2024. Schools can choose how much of their allocation to spend, depending on their needs and priorities.  
Assistant headteacher at Hall Mead School, Martin Leslie, has written about how staff at the school used small group tutoring to improve confidence and academic achievement for disadvantaged pupils. He shares how NTP tuition during the holidays helped improve pupil GCSE grades. 
*Read the full blog* [ https://teaching.blog.gov.uk/2024/01/29/use-the-national-tutoring-programme-to-prepare-your-pupils-for-exams/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]
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Ofqual: Information and support for exams 
Ofqual have produced a range of resources to support schools and colleges in preparing students for their exams and assessments, including:  
* 2024 Student Guide [ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofqual-student-guide-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] which provides information about this year’s arrangements for qualifications regulated by Ofqual 
* The 2024 guide for schools and colleges [ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofqual-guide-for-schools-and-colleges-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ], where you will find important information on things like grading and appeals 
* A letter to schools and colleges [ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-schools-and-colleges-april-2024/letter-to-schools-and-colleges-april-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] from Ofqual’s Chief Regulator, Sir Ian Bauckham.  
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Examiner recruitment
Exam boards are seeking subject experts to become examiners and moderators across a range of qualifications for the 2024 exam series.  
*Become an examiner* [ https://examining.jcq.org.uk/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]
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Contingency arrangements 
All schools and colleges must have a contingency plan in place to prepare for disruptions to exams and enable them to go ahead. We encourage schools and colleges to review contingency plans well in advance of each exam or assessment series. If a school or college has concerns about an exam or assessment being disrupted they should contact the relevant awarding association as soon as possible. 
*Further guidance* [ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exam-system-contingency-plan-england-wales-and-northern-ireland/what-schools-and-colleges-should-do-if-exams-or-other-assessments-are-seriously-disrupted?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]
Other helpful guidance for headteachers and leaders 
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RAAC
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) have recently published guidance [ https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/High-Levl_RAAC_mitigations_FINAL.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] on how existing special consideration arrangements may apply to centres affected by RAAC or other building issues during exams.  
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Malpractice reminders: Hoax papers and AI  
Students should be reminded not to engage with offers of exam questions or papers on social media, as they are most likely fake and students could receive sanctions from awarding organisations. 
The Joint Council for Qualifications has also updated its guidance [ https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/malpractice/artificial-intelligence/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] on AI use in assessments and developed further support materials [ https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/malpractice/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]for teachers and students. 
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Cyber  
Schools and colleges have a critical role to play in maintaining the integrity of assessments. It is therefore vital for schools and colleges to review their cyber security policies. The National Cyber Security Centre has published a free cyber security training package [ https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/cyber-security-training-schools?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] specifically tailored for school and college staff, including hints and tips on password creation and management, multi-factor authentication, and more.  
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has also published guidance for centres on cyber security [ https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Guidance-for-centres-on-cyber-security_23_FINAL.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]. 
Good luck 
We would like to wish all pupils the best of luck as exams begin in May and give thanks to all teachers and support staff for their unwavering dedication and hard work in ensuring students feel prepared and confident for their exams.  
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