Examination Series 2026
Students across the country will be sitting external GCSE, A-Level and vocational exams in May and June to determine qualifications.
Exams of any sort will naturally create anxiety and concern. We want to offer our students a robust and supportive exam season over the coming weeks.
We have put together all the information you and your child will need to support them through this important stage in their education.
Included is the exam timetable for the entire season, as well as lots of advice and guidance for students published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), Ofqual, and the NHS to ensure students know what is expected of them throughout the exam series, and how they, and you as their parents/carers, can help with managing exam stresses during the process.
We are working hard in ensuring all our students finish this stage in their education with enthusiasm and confidence.
If you have any questions about upcoming exams, please speak to your child’s subject teacher or Achievement Leader via the academy at info@harrisockendon.org.uk.
It is important that students know the precise time of their exams. Students that arrive late may be refused entry.
Please click the links below to view the exam timetable for the relevant year group.
Tests and exams can be a challenging part of school life for children and young people and their parents or carers. But there are ways to ease the stress.
Watch for signs of stress
Children and young people who are stressed may:
- worry a lot
- feel tense
- have headaches and stomach pains
- not sleep well
- be irritable
- lose interest in food or eat more than normal
- not enjoy activities they previously enjoyed
- be negative and have a low mood
- feel hopeless about the future
Having someone to talk to about their work can help. Support from a parent, tutor or study buddy can help young people share their worries and keep things in perspective.
Encourage your child to talk to a member of school staff who they feel is supportive. If you think your child is not coping, it may also be helpful for you to talk to their teachers.
Try to involve your child as much as possible.
Make sure your child eats well
A balanced diet is vital for your child's health and can help them feel well during exam periods.
Foods and drinks that are high-fat, high-sugar and high-caffeine such as energy drinks, cola, sweets, chocolate, burgers, and chips, can lead to being hyperactive, irritable and moody.
Where possible, involve your child in shopping for food and encourage them to choose some healthy snacks.
Help your child get enough sleep
Good sleep improves thinking and concentration. Most teenagers need 8 to 10 hours' sleep a night.
Allow half an hour or so for your child to wind down between studying, watching TV or using a computer and going to bed, to help them get a good night's sleep.
Cramming all night before an exam is usually a bad idea. Sleep will benefit your child far more than a few hours of panicky last-minute study.
Be flexible during exams
Be flexible around exam time. When your child is revising all day, do not worry about household jobs left undone or untidy bedrooms.
Staying calm yourself can help. Remember, exams do not last forever.
Help them study
Make sure your child has somewhere comfortable to study. Ask them how you can support them with their revision.
Help them come up with practical ideas that will help them revise, such as drawing up a revision schedule or getting hold of past papers for practice.
To motivate your child, encourage them to think about their goals in life and see how their revision and exams are related to them.
Talk about exam nerves
Remind your child that it's normal to feel anxious. Nervousness is a natural reaction to exams. The key is to put these nerves to positive use.
If anxiety is getting in the way rather than helping, encourage your child to practise the activities they'll be doing on the day of the exam. This will help it feel less scary.
For example, this may involve doing practice papers under exam conditions or seeing the exam hall beforehand.
Help your child face their fears and see these activities through, rather than avoiding them.
Encourage them to think about what they know and the time they've already put into studying to help them feel more confident.
Encourage exercise during exams
Exercise can help boost energy levels, clear the mind and relieve stress. It does not matter what it is, walking, cycling, swimming, football and dancing are all effective.
Activities that involve other people can be particularly helpful.
Do not add to the pressure
Support group Childline says many children who contact them feel that most pressure at exam time comes from their family.
Listen to your child, give them support and avoid criticism.
Before they go in for a test or exam, be reassuring and positive. Let them know that failing is not the end of the world!
After each exam, encourage your child to talk it through with you. Discuss the parts that went well rather than focusing on the questions they found difficult. Then move on and focus on the next test, rather than dwelling on things that cannot be changed.
Make time for treats
With your child, think about rewards for doing revision and getting through each exam.
Rewards do not need to be big or expensive. They can include simple things like making their favourite meal or watching TV.
When the exams are over, help your child celebrate by organising an end-of-exams treat.
Where to get help
The following links contain a range of sources of help and useful information.
NHS: Tips on preparing for exams
Ofqual: Coping with exam pressure – a guide for students
MIND: Understanding exam stress – for 11–18-year-olds
Childline: Exam stress and pressure
Ofqual have produced a guide explaining what you need to know before, during and after your exams and assessments.
Ofqual Student Guide to Exams and Assessments in 2026
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) have produced a range of documents to help students sitting exams.
Preparing to sit your Examinations
To celebrate the results of our students in the 2026 exam series, we will be hosting results days in the academy.
These events are always an emotional day for everyone, for the staff who have taught, supported, and encouraged students through years of study, as well as the students themselves who can take great pride in their achievements and look forward to the next stage in their journey.
Staff will be on hand during the days to give support and guidance on next steps, be that entry to the HAOC Sixth Form, apprenticeships, university, or employment.
Further information about the programme for results days will be shared nearer the time.
The dates are:
Thursday 13th August 2026 – A levels
Thursday 20th August 2026 – GCSEs
Our Examinations Policy clearly outlines the guidelines we have in place at Harris Academy Ockendon to ensure that we operate a highly effective and efficient exam system, to ensure the planning and management of exams is conducted in the best interests of all candidates, and in accordance with the regulations, instructions, and guidance of the current Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and awarding bodies.
It explains how we take into consideration The Equality Act 2010, and the special educational needs and/or disabilities and potential access arrangements of students to ensure our exam series is inclusive for all students.
It explains the appeals process, enquiries about results and access to scripts, and our complaints process.
It also includes information about the contingency plan at Harris Academy Ockendon which considers the potential risks and issues that could cause disruption to the exams process, outlines the actions and/or procedures to be invoked in case of disruption and therefore mitigate the impact these disruptions could have on the exam process.
Special Considerations
Special consideration may be given if a student has been fully prepared for assessments and covered the entire course, but their ability to demonstrate their subject knowledge and understanding is materially affected by adverse circumstances beyond their control.
Our Special Consideration Policy explains under what circumstances an award can be given, and the criteria a student must meet. Harris Academy Ockendon, as the examination centre, must decide if a case meets the published criteria or not.
Our full range of policies related to examinations can be found under Policies and Documents.