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Exam Roadmap – Year 11
Ashby School
Centre: 25100
Exam Roadmap - Year 11
Your journey to success starts now. Here are the key milestones leading up to your exams - click each one to find out more. Stay focused and track your progress!
25 August 2026
Start your Journey
1 September 2026
Exam preparation and revision guidance
26 October – 4 November 2026
Autumn Trial Exams
1 February – 12 February 2027
Spring Trial Exams
Date TBC
NEA Deadline
22 February – 23 February 2027
Practical exams - Music Performance
Date TBC
Practical exams - GCSE Food
Date TBC
Practical exams - GCSE Drama
19 April – 28 April 2027
French & German Speaking Exams
26 April – 27 April 2027
Practical exams - GCSE Art
26 April – 29 April 2027
Practical exams - GCSE Textiles
3 May 2027
Exam Regulations - must be read before sitting exams
10 May – 18 June 2027
Summer External Exam Season
23 June 2027
Exam Contingency Day
19 August 2027
GCSE Results Day
19 August – 23 September 2027
Post Results Window
1 December 2027 – 31 January 2028
Exam Certificate Collections
Start your Journey
Welcome! Your journey to success starts now. Use this roadmap to track your progress.
Student Examination Handbook:
Exam Board Privacy Notices:
Exam preparation and revision guidance
Autumn Trial Exams
Spring Trial Exams
NEA Deadline
Practical exams - Music Performance
GCSE Music 1MU0 01 - Performing
GCSE Music 1MU0 02 - Composing
Start time: Will be arranged by department and communicated to students
Practical exams - GCSE Food
GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition 8585/C
Duration: 12 hours over 3 sessions
Start time:
Dates to be confirmed for each class
Practical exams - GCSE Drama
GCSE Drama C690U20-1 - Performing from a text
Duration: Rehearsal in morning, Performance in afternoon
Start time: 09:00
French & German Speaking Exams
GCSE French 1FR1/1F & 1FR1/1H Speaking in French (Paper 1)
GCSE German 1GN/1F & 1GN1/1H Speaking in German (Paper 1)
You will be given an individual appointment date and time for your speaking exam.
The format of this exam is as follows:
The GCSE languages speaking exam is a 7-9 minute (Foundation) or 10-12 minute (Higher) assessment consisting of three parts: a role-play, a photo card discussion, and a general conversation on two themes.
Students have 12 minutes of preparation time before the exam to review the role-play and photo card materials but cannot use dictionaries or have target language on the walls. The test is conducted by the student's teacher and recorded, with the marking handled by the awarding body.
Practical exams - GCSE Art
GCSE Art & Design (Art Craft & Design) 8201/X Externally set assignment
Duration: 10 hours over 2 days
Start time: Monday 26th April 09:00 & Tuesday 27th April 09:00
Practical exams - GCSE Textiles
GCSE Art & Design (Textile Design) 8204/X Externally set assignment
Duration: 10 hours over 2 days
Start time:
Group 1 - Monday 26th April 09:00 & Tuesday 27th April 09:00
Group 2 - Wednesday 28th April 09:00 & Thursday 29th April 09:00
Exam Regulations - must be read before sitting exams
Summer External Exam Season
Exam Contingency Day
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has designated Wednesday 23 June 2027, as the contingency day for external written examinations in the UK summer series. This day will be used in the event of significant national or local disruption that prevents scheduled exams from taking place. Students must remain available for examinations until 23 June 2027, regardless of their individual timetable dates.
GCSE Results Day
Results can be collected in the Sports Hall, time tbc
We recommend that students attend to receive support from experienced and knowledgeable staff.
If you are unable to attend your results will be posted to your home address by 1st class mail in the afternoon. Please ensure the school has your up to date address.
If you want to nominate someone else to collect results on your behalf, email the exams team exams@ashbyschool.org.uk from you school email address before results day.
Post Results Window
Exam Certificate Collections
Official exam certificates are delivered to the school during the autumn term after the post results window has closed. We will contact your parents via Arbor to let you know when they are available.
These are the official documents you will need to show for college applications and at job interviews in future years, so you need to collect them and keep them safe.
There is a limited time that schools are allowed to keep uncollected certificates. After this you would need to apply directly to the exam boards and they will charge for replacements.
Certificate Collection Permission Form:
Microsoft Word - Certificate Collection permission formAll Qualifications
Get to Grips with Exam Rules
- Familiarise yourself with the key rules for written exams.
- Test your knowledge with the My Big Year Rules Test.
- Check you know what equipment is and isn't allowed in exams.
- Learn about the set-up of exam rooms.
- Understand your responsibilities around social media use in relation to exams.
Produced in collaboration with the My Big Year Project