Dear Parent / Carer,
We are absolutely delighted with the focus, commitment and maturity Year 11 have demonstrated as we approach their final GCSE examinations. We continue to be impressed by their resilience, the mutual support they show one another, and their spirit.
Apologies for the lengthy correspondence. Please see below some important information for the coming weeks and months.
Year 11 Revision materials:
Effective revision is a key cornerstone of exam success, and the next few weeks and months are crucial. You can find a range of useful resources on our website: Year 11 Page. This page includes materials we have shared throughout the year and key revision information / resources. If students need support with organising revision or additional revision materials, they should approach class teachers, their Form Tutor or any of the Senior Leadership Team will also be happy to support.
Revision during exam season:
At English Martyrs we have high expectations of student attendance and will continue to do so during the summer exam session. Students will be expected to attend all timetabled sessions as normal when not in a scheduled examination. As part of ensuring students continue with positive study and revision habits, staff will be offering high quality revision sessions and materials throughout the duration of the exam period. Students will benefit from focused revision sessions, planned by specialists and based upon careful analysis of the specific needs of individuals and classes. Our Revision Plan includes, where possible, timetabled, subject specific and teacher led revision sessions preceding an exam.
A reminder that you can still sign your child up for Easter revision sessions if you haven’t done so already. We are pleased to inform you that we have added another Maths session and a Geography revision session on Monday 14th April: https://forms.office.com/e/GcKC6PYChR.
Mastery continues for students until the start of the exam period at lunchtimes and after school. Period 6 for all Year 11 will also continue after Easter. All students are encouraged to attend so they can benefit from focused revision sessions led by subject specialists. The latest timetable can be found here: https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/enrichment-activities-and-clubs. During the exam season, this will be replaced with revision sessions offered on a morning and after school. A programme for this will follow the Easter holidays.
The Easter holidays offer an excellent opportunity for students to immerse themselves in revision and our dedicated teaching staff are keen to support students with this. There are tailored revision sessions available for students: https://ems.bhcet.org.uk/news/2025-04-09-easter-revision-2025
If you have any queries about Year 11 Revision, please contact Mr Blackwood, Pastoral Leader for Year 11 at mblackwood@ems.bhcet.org.uk or Mrs Sweeting on esweeting@ems.bhcet.org.uk.
Support:
GCSE examinations bring with them lots of different emotions which vary from student to student. We recognise that this can be a challenging time for students and families for many reasons, and we want to support students in terms of their mental and emotional health by offering and reminding you about the following additional opportunities:
Kooth:
Kooth for Children & Young People - Kooth plc
An online service which offers access to anonymous and personalised mental health support for Children and Young People. Please access the link above to find out more, or contact us as school if you need any help and advice.
The Headspace:
The Headspace is a designated room (Room 1.38 from 12.30pm every lunchtime) designed as a ‘drop-in’ area for students to chat to our pastoral team who can support with well-being needs at this time.
Students can come any lunch time to discuss any thoughts and feelings and receive advice, tips and coping strategies.
Use of the Sixth Form Library:
The Sixth Form Library is open to Year 11 students before and after school for use as a quiet space to study. There is a library, computers, comfortable seating areas and work booths which Year 11 can use. There is some capacity for students to use the Sixth Form Library on a lunchtime. Mrs Henderson can provide more information about this to students should they wish to take advantage of this offer.
Celebrating the students:
We have a number of celebration opportunities planned for students to mark the end of their time with us in Year 11. On Friday 23rd May, students will be involved in a Leavers’ Liturgy. Students and Form Tutors will take time to reflect upon their ‘EMS journey’ and there will be a chance to sign shirts, share positive messages and enjoy an ice cream together before leaving at 12.20 to commence their half term break. Please make sure students bring a spare shirt to sign so they are not using the one they are dressed in. The final whole cohort exam is Physics on Monday 16th June. When this finishes at around 10.30, students will be free to leave site unless they are involved in the Music exam on the afternoon.
Prom, which will take place on 3rd July, is an exciting and much anticipated event. Please be reminded that attendance to Prom depends upon good behaviour as outlined to parents and students earlier in the year. A letter will follow at the start of next term which will provide full details on the arrangements for Prom.
GCSEs are important but they are in no way a measure of the value of any student. We could not be prouder of Year 11 at EMS, and we have high hopes for their futures.
If you need any further support, please contact Mr Blackwood (mblackwood@ems.bhcet.org.uk) or Mrs Sweeting (esweeting@ems.bhcet.org.uk) who will be glad to assist.
With every best wish.
Mrs C Hogarth - Head of School
Mr T Rogers - Deputy Headteacher
Mr M Blackwood - Pastoral Leader Year 11
