Exams

Key Examinations Dates 

See below key dates for External and Pre-Public examinations for the 2023-2024 academic year:

DatesExam SeriesTimetable Link
14/09/2023 – 15/09/2023 Year 7 CAT4 Baseline Tests Now complete
09/10/2023 – 17/10/2023 Post 16 Vocational Pre-Public Examinations Now complete
07/11/2023 – 13/11/2023 Post 16 November External Examinations Now complete
13/11/2023 – 01/12/2023 Y11 & Y13 Pre-Public Examinations Now complete
08/01/2024 – 26/01/2024 Year 11 & Post 16: Winter External Examinations January Winter 2024 Summary Timetable
19/02/2024 – 23/02/2024 Y11 & Y13 Pre-Public Examinations February PPEs
26/02/2024 – 08/03/2024 Y10/Y12 Pre-Public ExaminationsFebruary PPEs
21/03/2024 – 28/06/2024* Year 10, 11 & Post 16 Summer External Examinations Summer 2024 Ext Exam Timetable

* Please note that there are contingency days throughout the Summer Series should any exams need to be re-scheduled. Students and Parents/Carers are therefore encouraged to consider these as exam dates when making arrangements.

In addition to exams, vocational set tasks with submission windows will run throughout the year. Dates will be communicated at the relevant times.

Information for Candidates

Candidates and parents/carers should familiarise themselves with the below ‘information for candidates’ documents as they contain some key information, regulations and guidance which candidates should be aware of: 

Information for Candidates – Written Examinations

Information for Candidates – On-Screen Examinations

Information for Candidates – Non Examination Assessments

Information for Candidates – Coursework

Information for Candidates – Privacy Notice

Information for Candidates – Social Media

Collecting your Certificates

If you left the Academy in 2022 or earlier – please come and collect your certificates. We can only keep them for a limited time before we have to destroy them.

Term-time collections:

  • 8am to 4pm, Mondays to Thursdays 
  • 8am to 3.30pm on Fridays 

Unless you have recently received a call about your certificates. Please phone or email in advance to let the Exams Team know that you are planning to collect your certificates, so that they are ready when you arrive at school. 

Please call the academy on 0121 568 3300 and ask for Miss Gibbins or email [email protected].  

Certificates must be collected in person from the Academy’s main reception.  

If you wish someone to collect them on your behalf, they will need a signed letter of authorisation directly from the candidate named on the certificates, stating: 

  • candidate name
  • date of birth
  • the year(s) the candidate took exams
  • the name of the person collecting the certificates
  • the signature of the candidate named on the certificates

Anyone collecting certificates must bring ID to prove who they are. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late

We get calls every year from students who left 5-10 years ago who suddenly need their certificates for the first time. It costs around £40-£50 per exam board for a certified statement of results if you don’t have your certificates (see https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate for further information). 

Lost certificates

If you have lost your certificates we may be able to provide a statement of results. If you attended Darlaston Comprehensive we do not hold these records. For certified proof of results please follow this link for advice: https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate

Please keep your certificates safely – you will need them throughout your career.