Quick‑action checklist (dates only)
- 1 May 2026 (5:20 pm) – Revision‑leave starts.
- 24 Jun 2026 – Exam Contingency Day (must be free).
- 9 Dec 2025 – Christmas Jumper Day (£1 to Homeless Oxfordshire).
- 11 Dec 2025 – Lower‑School Carol Service (3 pm).
- 24 Jan 2026 – Burns Night Ceilidh (tickets via link).
- 6 Feb 2026 (6:15 pm) – Military/defence drinks reception (RSVP by 23 Jan).
- 2 Jan 2026 – Football & hockey pre‑season training (register).
- 3 Jan 2026 – Football & hockey training/fixtures (register).
- 21 Jan 2026 7 pm – UCAS webinar (Zoom link above).
- 21 Jan 2026 8 pm – Alternatives‑to‑university webinar (register).
- 10 Dec 2025 – Resilience webinar (link above).
Weekly Mailing – 4 December 2025 (Senior‑School edition)
What matters most for Year 11 (Form 5) students and their families
1️⃣ Exams & Revision
| Item | Why it matters for Year 11 | Date | Link |
|---|
| GCSE & A‑Level exam timetables (2026) – full list of exam dates and JCQ notices. | Lets you see exactly when each paper sits and plan revision. | – | https://www.abingdon.org.uk/academic/exam-timetables/ |
| Exam Contingency Day – a “reserve” day used if a national disruption occurs. | All candidates must be available on this day. | Wednesday 24 June 2026 | (same timetables page) |
| UCAS‑application webinar (for Lower‑Sixth) – overview of the university‑application process, what universities look for beyond grades. | Early insight for Year 11 families thinking about Sixth Form and university routes. | Wednesday 21 January 2026, 7 pm – 7:15 pm | Zoom: https://abingdon.zoom.us/j/95864660559 |
| Alternatives‑to‑university webinar – apprenticeships, vocational routes, work‑based learning. | Helps students explore non‑university pathways. | Wednesday 21 January 2026, 8 pm – 8:40 pm | Registration: https://www.abingdon.org.uk/webinar/register/WN_U87zPYXTQfeQDTZSL69BJA |
| Revision‑leave for Fifth‑Year – start of official study‑leave. | After this point pupils are not required to attend school unless they have a public exam. | Friday 1 May 2026 (5:20 pm) | – |
| Study‑support sessions – optional revision clinics & supervised study between the start of study‑leave and half‑term. | Extra help for those who want structured revision. | Details to be released later in the year. | – |
2️⃣ Festive & Community Events
3️⃣ Sports & Training
| Activity | Why it matters for Year 11 | Date(s) | Link |
|---|
| Pre‑season football training – register attendance. | Keeps players fit for the new season; coaches need head‑counts. | Friday 2 Jan 2026 & Saturday 3 Jan 2026 – Tilsley Park:<br>• U16 9 am‑10:30 am<br>• U15 10:30 am‑12 pm<br>• U14 12 pm‑1:30 pm<br>• Seniors 1:30 pm‑3 pm | – |
| Pre‑season hockey training – register attendance. | Same as football, but for hockey squads. | Friday 2 Jan 2026 – Tilsley Park:<br>• U14 & U15 10 am‑11:30 am<br>• Lower School 11:30 am‑1 pm<br>• Senior & U16 1:30 pm‑3 pm<br>Saturday 3 Jan 2026 – internal fixtures:<br>• U14 & U15 10 am‑12 pm<br>• Lower School 12 pm‑2 pm<br>• U18 & U16 2 pm‑4 pm | – |
| Protocol for pre‑planned sport absences – write to tutor and CC the Health Centre. | Guarantees the pupil is recorded on the official “off‑games” list. | Ongoing | – |
| Touchliners Drinks Reception – for families linked to the military, defence or security services. | Networking opportunity for parents in those sectors. | Friday 6 Feb 2026, 6:15 pm – 8:30 pm – RAF Club, 128 Piccadilly, London | RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhH05pxmTKgGnGoc4oW7d44sR5Jr0TXy5_GD9U_o6JlnFFgg/viewform (by 23 Jan 2026) |
4️⃣ Academic & Career Support
| Resource | Why it matters for Year 11 | Link |
|---|
| Work‑experience summer‑holiday scheme (OX14 Learning Partnership) – host a Year 12 student for a week. | Gives students a taste of a profession and strengthens university/applications. | https://connect.abingdon.org.uk/pages/work-experience-scheme |
| Work‑experience sign‑up form (for employers). | Simple way for parents to offer placements. | https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnCJOF5pecpIIfsK2KIj6h3R4_G2y-hWIYh4gn72JzRci7mQ/viewform |
| House‑photo ordering – order printed house photos for keepsake or gifts. | Nice souvenir for families. | https://www.gsimagebank.co.uk/abingdon-school/t/smtpw2025 |
| School policies (incl. new clause 4.9 on post‑GCSE withdrawal) – important for families planning after Year 11. | Clarifies notice periods if a pupil leaves after GCSEs. | https://www.abingdon.org.uk/about/school-policies/ |
| Wellbeing Hub – webinars, podcasts, articles on resilience, mental health, sleep, AI safety, etc. | Supports emotional and mental health during exam season. | Main hub: https://connect.abingdon.org.uk/pages/wellbeing |
| • Raising resilience webinar (with Dr Tovah Klein) | Practical strategies for coping with stress. | Wednesday 10 Dec 2025 – https://club.teentips.co.uk/events/raising-resilience-how-to-help-our-children-thrive/ |
| • Podcast “Setting your children up for success” (Alicia Drummond) | Insightful talk on wellbeing. | Week of 15 Dec 2025 – accessed via the hub. |
| • NHS/CAMHS parent webinars (topics: anxiety, self‑harm, talking to a distressed child, low mood) | Professional advice for parents. | https://connect.abingdon.org.uk/files/download/5112ca93e6fe42e |
| OX14 Learning Partnership Upcoming Events – broader community activities. | May include career fairs, talks, etc. | http://www.ox14lp.org.uk/events/ |
| Food menu for the week (Week 1) – see what’s served in the cafeteria. | Helpful for planning meals, especially for students with dietary needs. | https://www.abingdon.org.uk/school-life/catering/ |
| School calendar – all term dates, holidays, exam periods. | Essential for long‑term planning. | https://www.abingdon.org.uk/whats-on/school-calendar/
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