Examinations
Birchwood High School is committed to providing an excellent level of service to pupils and parents in the conduct and organisation of both internal and external examinations.
You will find below the most recent policies, guidance and advice to support students sitting examinations this Summer. Please contact our Examinations Officers if you have any further questions:
- Karlina Korosevska, Examinations Officer
Advice For Candidates
If, at any time in the lead up to your exams, you feel like things are getting on top of you, and you need some extra support, please don’t suffer in silence. Speak to a member of staff or your parents at an early opportunity.
Don’t leave your revision to the last minute, you will give yourself the best opportunity to do your best if you are well-prepared and well rested.
Key Dates
Exam Dates:
- 8 May 2025 – Date of first examination on the common timetable – GCSE
- 12 May 2025 – Date of the first examination on the common timetable – A Level
- 19 June 2025 – Date of final examination on the common timetable – GCSE
- 24 June 2025 – Date of final examination on the common timetable – A Level
- 25 June 2025 – Examination contingency day – candidates must remain available until this date should an awarding body make use of its contingency plan
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Results Dates:
- 14 August 2025: GCE, LIBF and BTEC Level 3 Results Day
- 8:30am: Results can be collected from the library
- 21 August 2025: GCSE, BTEC Level 2 and Entry Level Results Day
- 8:30am: Year 11 students can collect results from the library
- 9:00am: Year 10 students can collect results from the library
On both days any results not collected by 11:00am will be sent by First Class post to the student's home address listed on our school database, unless provided with an alternative address.
Results will be given to the student only. If another person is collecting the results, the student must provide them with a signed letter giving permission and naming the person collecting on their behalf. The nominated person that is collecting must present his or her own ID on the day.
Grade System
- GCE A Level results are: A* A B C D E (U denotes Ungraded)
- GCSE results are: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (9 is the highest grade, U denotes Ungraded)
- BTEC results are: D* (Distinction*) D (Distinction) M (Merit) P (Pass)
Exam Equipment
Please bring the following equipment with you for each exam:
- Clear pencil case
- Pens (black ink preferred)
- Pencils
- Pencil Sharpener
- Rubber
- Ruler
- Highlighter pen
- Bottle of water
- Specific subject equipment (speak to your subject teacher to see what is allowed for each exam).
Appealing Your Examination Results
If you are unhappy with your result or if you feel it has been marked incorrectly, you can request that the exam board review the marking of your paper.
You will need to discuss this with the Examination Officer, and should be aware that reviewed marks and grades can be higher, lower or remain the same. There is a fee. However, this would be reimbursed if your grade is changed as an outcome of the review.
Further guidance regarding fees and deadlines can be found on the post-results order form below. Our Compliants and Appeals Policy can be found below, or on our Policies Page.