Exam Timetable
This week students were issued with their final exam timetables and copies of SQA’s Your Exams support document. An online copy of this is provided below.
Your-Exams-2024-school-edition
It is critical that students check their personal timetables carefully and report any errors to Ms Struthers in Rm 112, or to Mr Hunter in Creative Learning.
Below you will find a copy of the PowerPoint shared at assembly today, along with a full Lasswade High School exam schedule. Please note that most of our morning exams start at 8:30, this is to fit with the timings of the school day. Please note we have provided only the ‘main exam’ schedule – students who have additional time should adhere strictly to heir personalised timetables, given out yesterday.
In advance of the exams, the SQA have provided details of the services that are available to students if they are unable to sit an exam, for a reason ‘outwith their control’. The SQA have also outlined their approach to the Appeals procedure and how coursework will be graded this year. This full communication can be viewed here.
Exceptional Circumstances
There are times when student cannot sit an exam for reasons that are outwith their control – these are called ‘exceptional circumstances’. If your child cannot attend an exam it is vital that you let us know so that we can prepare alternative evidence for them. Alternative evidence is in the form of formal assessment materials that have been produced throughout the course of the session. It is important to note that not all absences from an exam are exceptional circumstances, and students must have completed all non- exam components (i.e. assignment, project…) to qualify for this service.
Grading
This year full course assessment returned in many subject areas. The SQA are mindful of the fact that students are completing coursework for the first time and will consider this in their grading decisions.
Appeals
In keeping with last year, appeals will be free for all students and open to all students for any of their qualifications. Appeals will involve a review of SQA marked exam or coursework only, and not any alternative evidence. More details on how to access this service will be provided in the coming weeks, and we will provide support for appeals following the publication of results.
Study Leave
Last week we published details of our study leave programme. Study leave will run from 29th April to 29th May (inclusive). Students who have an exam between 22nd April and 29th April are entitled to take an additional study day the day before an exam.
Study Leave
A letter has been issued emailed to all S4-6 parents today to provide details of the school’s study leave arrangements. Study leave will run from Monday 29th April – Wednesday 29th May (inclusive). Students will return to school on Thursday 30th May. A copy of this letter is also attached for your reference below.
Study Supports
Our Easter School will begin on Tuesday 2nd April, offering students the opportunity to access revision sessions during the holiday. Students will be notified of their sessions next week.
E-Sgoil are also running a two week, virtual Easter School. This covers a wide range of subjects and can be used in addition to the Lasswade Easter School. See the link below for their timetable and sign-up instructions.
https://www.e-sgoil.com/senior-phase/easter-study-support/
Achieve is excellent online revision resource which supports knowledge and skills development across many subjects. This provides the opportunity to learn, test and track progress. In addition, this website has a new section this year called ‘Succeed’ which can support with revision strategies, such as how to prepare flash cards, etc. If making an account for the first time our school code is: Zx7tGreK
https://achieve.hashtag-learning.co.uk/
Read and Write is a tool downloaded on all Chromebooks, click the purple puzzle piece to access it. Attached to this post click here is a document showing a variety of ways this can be used this to help with revision.
Our Grade Booster sessions timetable will be shared when we return from the holidays, we are in the process of organising this to ensure students have a final opportunity for supported revision ahead of their final exams.
The Easter School programme is now ‘live’ on Google Classroom. Parents/carers should click here to access the timetable, note Week 1 is w/b 1st April and Week 2 is w/b 8th April.
There is a ‘note of interest’ Google Form in Year Group Google Classrooms. Students interested in our Easter School should complete this by the end of next week to indicate which sessions they would like to attend.
Students are advised to consider which subjects they would like to focus on most to make best use of their time. The timetable may evolve as student interest is noted and we get a clearer picture of the demand for certain subjects.
To avoid missing out, we are advising early sign up.
Next week we have our Lasswade High School Study Week. Students are invited to attend one of our study sessions after school, to learn about a range of techniques that will support effective revision and learning. More information and sign-ups can be accessed through year group Google Classrooms. In addition, we have a Parents’ Study Session on Monday 20th from 7-8pm online. This will focus on how to help your child at home, for example how to prepare the right environment, ask the right questions, and where to access help and support.
Beyond next week, we have course based supported study session running throughout the year. Supported study sessions are great way to get help with tricky concepts, revise key topics and prepare for senior phase coursework submissions and examinations. Please find the our timetable below. Students can attend their own teacher’s study sessions but they are also welcome to attend other sessions, should they fit better with after school commitments. Students who require a bus to get home following a session should use their travel card, if there are any issues with this please see Mrs Brown, DHT.
Supported Study Timetable October 2023
Results Day – Tuesday 8th August
This year all students will receive their SQA results on Tuesday 8th August. Certificates will arrive in the post and, if your child has signed up for MySQA, they will also receive a text message or email to inform them of their results too.
We know that our students have worked incredibly hard this year – but this will nevertheless be an anxious time. Whilst we hope that they receive the results they are expecting, it is important to know the process for Appeals, should one be required.
Appeals Process 2023
The Appeals 2023 service will be different to the service used last year and will be more like the service used before the pandemic. ‘Alternative assessment evidence’, like prelims, will not be required for this service. Instead, students can request a review of their ‘SQA-marked assessment components’ (i.e. exam papers and assignments). The service will be free and available to all students. Students will be able to appeal directly to SQA, or via school.
Appeals 2023 will include a priority service for students with conditional offers for further education, training or employment. To use this service you must have an existing offer (e.g. via UCAS) that you can share with SQA.
Should I appeal?
If you are considering an appeal for one of your grades, then you are advised to discuss it with your teacher. Whilst you can appeal directly, and no ‘evidence’ is sent by the school, you might want to know more about your ‘breakdown’ (marks) in the exam, and you might want to consider your performance over the last year before you make a decision.
You must also be aware that proceeding with an appeal can result in your grade going up, staying the same or – in a minority of cases – going down.
Dates for Appeals
Priority Appeals – to be submitted to SQA by 21st August (via school)
All other appeals – 29th August (via school)
Please be aware if you register for an appeal yourself there are earlier deadlines – these are available via the SQA website.
If you would like to discuss your results, or the appeals process, the SQA email inbox will be open on 8th August to respond to questions. lasswadehs-sqa@midlothian.education
If, following your results, you need to reconsider your course choice for this year there will be a short window of opportunity to do so. Please remember, coursing changes will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and where a student requires a particular course/grade for specific reasons (eg. entry to further/higher education, training etc) and not because they have changed their mind from the original course choices allocated. A Google Form will be made available prior to the return to school in August, via Google Classrooms, and students should complete this as soon as they become aware that any change of course is required.
Our Grade Booster Day timetable is now available. Please note that all Grade Booster Days, apart from Higher Applications of Maths, will be online. Students will be able to access these sessions via Google Meet. Departments will make Google Meet codes available via Google Classroom prior to each event.
HeadStrong also have a great website to support learners to prepare mentally for their exams, and to minimise stress and anxiety. There are also resources available on this website to provide help for parents and carers.
Exam Timetable
This week students were issued with their final exam timetables and copies of SQA’s Your Exams support document. An online copy of this is provided below.
It is critical that students check their personal timetables carefully and report any errors to Ms Struthers, or to Mr Hunter.
Below you will find a copy of the PowerPoint shared at assembly this week, along with a full Lasswade High School exam schedule. Please note that most of our morning exams start at 8:30, this is to fit with the timings of the school day. Students should adhere to this schedule, and to their personalised timetables, which also include their rooms and seats, to ensure they are on time for each exam.
Study Leave
A letter has been issued emailed to all S4-6 parents today to provide details of the school’s study leave arrangements. Study leave will run from Monday 24th April – Monday 29th May (inclusive). Students will return to school on Tuesday 30th May. A copy of this letter is also attached for your reference below.
Study Supports
Our Easter School will begin next week, offering students the opportunity to access revision sessions during the holiday. Letters have been issued to students who have signed up to these sessions. We would ask that students make every effort to attend booked sessions, and arrive promptly.
E-Sgoil are also running a two week, virtual Easter School. This covers a wide range of subjects and can be used in addition to the Lasswade Easter School. See the link below for their timetable and sign-up instructions.
https://e-sgoil.com/easter-study-support-2023/
Achieve is excellent online revision resource which supports knowledge and skills development across many subjects. This provides the opportunity to learn, test and track progress. If making an account for the first time our school code is: Zx7tGreK
https://achieve.hashtag-learning.co.uk/
Read and Write is a tool downloaded on all Chromebooks, click the purple puzzle piece to access it. Attached to this post click here is a document showing a variety of ways this can be used this to help with revision.
Our Grade Booster Day timetable will be shared when we return from the holidays, we are in the process of organising this to ensure students have a final opportunity for supported revision ahead of their final exams.
The SQA have announced the appeals process for this year’s exams. It will be significantly different to last year’s process, and bears more resemblance to the way in which appeals were decided pre-Covid.
The Process
This year any student will be able to request an appeal, if they believe their grade is incorrect. However, no in-class assessments, or prelims will be sent to the SQA as alternative evidence. Instead the SQA will review SQA marked exams and coursework to ensure the marking is in line with national standards.
A appeal can be requested by a student, or by the school on a student’s behalf. In addition, the process will be free this year.
A priority appeals service will be available to students who require an urgent appeal for entry into a college or university course.
Does my evidence matter then?
Your evidence will still be used if you require the SQA’s Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service. This service is for students who, for exceptional reasons, find themselves unable to sit an exam. In this case we would provide your assessment evidence to the SQA to enable them to derive your final grade.
Perhaps most importantly, your assessment evidence will be used by you and your teacher to plan your next steps in learning. Regular feedback is vital for improvement and formal opportunities for you to practice your skills under exam conditions are important to show how you are progressing with key course skills and knowledge.
More detail can be found here on the SQA website.