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Welcome to the Upper School

Years 9 - 11

As your child transitions into Upper School, the journey toward GCSEs begins to take shape. At Saint John Henry Newman School, we are committed to supporting both students and parents throughout this crucial stage of education by providing the right tools, guidance, and resources at every step. 

This section of the website is designed to help parents navigate Years 9 to 11 with clarity and confidence. Here you will find detailed information about GCSE subject specifications, revision materials tailored to the exam boards we follow, exam and mock timetables, intervention opportunities, and resources from our Parent Support Evenings. 

Each year of Upper School presents unique challenges and milestones. Below is a guide to how we frame student development during these years: 

Year 9: Building Maturity 

Year 9 logo

Year 9 marks the beginning of the Upper School journey. Students begin taking greater responsibility for their learning while exploring their interests and developing important habits for success. This year also includes guided support with choosing GCSE option subjects. 

 
Year 10: Taking Ownership 

Year 10 logo

In Year 10, students are expected to take greater ownership of their academic progress and start preparing more independently. This includes deepening their subject knowledge, managing deadlines, and developing effective revision strategies. Intervention programmes begin to be introduced where appropriate to help consolidate learning. 

 
Year 11: Developing Vision 

Year 11 logo

Year 11 is a time for focus, commitment and reflection. Students prepare for their final GCSE exams by setting clear goals, following tailored revision plans, and making use of the support available. Multiple mock exams help simulate the exam experience and allow for targeted interventions in the lead-up to the summer examinations. 

 

Please use the tabs in this section to access the following key resources: 

  • GCSE Subject Information – Detailed course specifications for every subject studied at JHN, with clear information on exam boards, assessment formats, and relevant past paper links. These help students identify accurate and useful external revision materials. 
  • Exam and Mock Timetables – Timetables for both internal mock exams and public GCSE exams are regularly updated and available here. These help students plan their revision and ensure they are fully prepared. 
  • Revision Guides – A curated selection of in-house and recommended revision resources, chosen to align specifically with the specifications taught at JHN. These promote independent learning and reinforce classroom teaching. 
  • Parent Support Evenings – Information from key evenings aimed at supporting you in guiding your child through Year 10 and Year 11. These events offer practical strategies and insights from school staff to support academic progress and wellbeing. 

 
Miss J Moles 
Director of Upper School