Head’s Weekly Update

Many Sixth Form students have already started their exams - well done to them for getting on with these calmly. Individual pupil exam timetables can be found here.

Please refer to the updated candidate handbook which is on the portal if you have any questions about the conduct of exams, including what to do if your child is ill etc. 

Until Half Term students should still be attending lessons unless:  

• They are in an exam

• There is less than 30 minutes remaining in a lesson after an exam finishes (e.g. if their exam finishes at 10:50, they would not be expected to attend the remainder of P3 but they should attend P4 at 11:15)

• It is P3, P4 or P5 before an afternoon exam

After Half Term, pupils are on study leave and are not expected in lessons. Teachers have been asked to try and keep themselves available in the periods where they would have had lessons if pupils want to come in for additional support.

Support clinics are available for pupils to seek individual support from their teachers. The schedule can be found by clicking here.

We strongly recommend that Sixth Form attend the pre-exam blast before each of their exams (at 8.45-9.15 for a morning exam) and (1.15-1.45) for an afternoon exam. The schedules for these revision support sessions can be found by clicking here.

Finally, to make sure that pupils are as comfortable as possible during their exams, they can choose to wear sports kit instead of No2s/suits from Monday 12 May onwards if they prefer. Please note that if they choose this then the standard rules of sports kit (e.g. in relation to jewellery) apply.

Please click on the link here for details about a range of workshops ranging from Graphic Design, Architecture to a Media Summer School.

There is an opportunity to spend the day with BBC Radio Berkshire and to learn about the variety of jobs across the BBC as well as the apprenticeships they have on offer. 

The BBC ‘Get In’ Team, will be at BBC Radio Berkshire, 550 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, RG6 1PT on 21 May 2025.

To apply: 

• You must have full permission and consent from your parent / guardian to apply.

• You will need to provide us with their details as we will need to contact them if you are selected to take part.

• You must inform your school that you have applied and provide us with the name and contact details of a member of staff, as we will need to get in touch with them.

• You will need to be able to attend the Get In Programme in person. The location address is BBC Radio Berkshire, 550 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, RG6 1PT.

• Your home address must bewithin a 1 hour commute of the BBC location.

• The session will run from approximately 9:30am and you will need to be able to make your own way to the BBC base on the day. If you have concerns about travel, please still apply and we will discuss these with you. We expect to be finished at approximately 3.30pm. (Please note, it may be slightly before or slightly after, depending on the activities across the afternoon).

• You must fully complete the application form in order to be considered.

• Candidates will be chosen at random. Due to the number of places available, we may have to limit the numbers of students from each school.

• You may be required to bring your own lunch.

Apply using this link - Reading Application Form

(We are aware that this is during the Lower Sixth exam week. If a student is successful in getting a place, adjustments will be made to their timetable).

All Lower Sixth students will be offered the opportunity to attend the University and Apprenticeship Fair at Oxford Brookes University on 18 June.

In addition, it is also worthwhile to attend some open days at universities of interest. A list of universities and dates can be seen here.