Parents are such an important part of our lively, tight-knit community. We rely on their support in helping students get the most out of our fun but demanding routine and prepare for a more independent life at University. Look out for our regular Parents’ Forums, for the regular Progress Meetings and for our termly Parents’ Newsletter.
All parents are welcome to come along and join this informal group where we share our experience as parents of Year 12 and Year 13 students.
The function of this group is to build a social connection with other parents which can help your understanding of what the students might be experiencing as they go through their two years at the Maths School. There is no teacher interaction or curriculum information during these meetings – it is purely a social group for parents to get to know one another. Hearing from other parents about their experiences can be reassuring and helpful, and builds an awareness of the day-to-day environment at the Maths School.
For further info, please contact ems.parentsforum@gmail.com
| Friday 13th September | Friday 18th October | Friday 20th December |
| Friday 14th February | Friday 27th March | Friday 22nd May – Postponed |
| Friday 3rd July – Postponed |
Please note that all dates are inclusive.
2019/2020 Academic Year
| Term | First day of (half-) term | Last day of (half-) term |
| Autumn 2019 | Monday 2nd September(NB: Monday 2nd September is Year 12 only) | Friday 18th October |
| Half term break | Monday 21st October | Friday 25th October |
| Monday 28th October | Friday 20th December | |
| Spring 2020 | Monday 6th January | Friday 14th February |
| Half term break | Monday 17th February | Friday 21st February |
| Monday 24th February | Friday 27th March | |
| Summer 2020 | Tuesday 14th April | Friday 22nd May(NB: Friday 8th May is a Bank Holiday) |
| Half term break | Monday 25th May | Friday 29th May |
| Monday 1st June | Friday 3rd July |
2020/21 Academic Year
| Term | First day of (half-) term | Last day of (half-) term |
| Autumn 2020 | Tuesday 1st September
(NB: Tuesday 1st September is Year 12 only) |
Friday 23rd October |
| Half term break | Monday 26th October | Friday 30th October |
| Monday 2nd November | Friday 18th December | |
| Spring 2020 | Monday 4th January | Friday 12th February |
| Half term break | Monday 15th February | Friday 19th February |
| Monday 22nd February | Thursday 1st April | |
| Summer 2020 | Monday 19th April | Friday 28th May
(NB: Monday 3rd May is a Bank Holiday) |
| Half term break | Monday 31st May | Friday 4th June |
| Monday 7th June | Friday 2nd July |
| Date | Time | Event | Details |
| Monday 23rd September | 1800 to 1900 | Year 12 First Impressions Parents’ Event | This event is intended for parents only, there is no need for students to attend. You do not need to book a place. You will be given a brief update about the term so far and will meet informally with your son’s/daughter’s tutor together with other parents from the same form. |
| Friday 27th September | 1430 to 1530 | Year 12 First Impressions Parents’ Event | See above. |
| Wednesday 2nd October | 1645 to 1845 | Year 13 Careers Tutorials | Details to follow. |
| Friday 4th October | 1430 to 1630 | Year 13 Careers Tutorials | See above. |
| Friday 22nd November | 1430 to 1630 | Year 12 Progress Meetings | Students and their parents will meet with each of their teachers to review their progress. Students will be given a booking sheet for making appointments a week in advance of the meetings. |
| Thursday 28th November | 1640 to 2000 | Year 12 Progress Meetings- Including Exeter College Parent Meetings | See above – there is also the opportunity to meet your son’s/daughter’s Exeter College subject teacher on this date – students will make an appointment with their teacher directly. |
| Thursday 19th December | 1230 to 1600 | Year 12 – EMC Christmas Lectures | This is a real highlight of the year: a chance to celebrate the progress made by our new students in their first term. Year 12 students will present their research at the University of Exeter to a audience of students, staff, governors, parents, members of our Maths and Physics student communities, academics and other friends of EMS. We use an online system for booking tickets, details have been emailed to Year 12 parents. |
| Wednesday 15th January | 1640 to 2000 | Year 13 Progress Meetings – Including Exeter College Parent Meetings | Students and their parents will meet with each of their teachers to review their progress. Students will be given a booking sheet for making appointments a week in advance of the meetings – there is also the opportunity to meet your son’s/daughter’s Exeter College subject teacher on this date – students will make an appointment with their teacher directly. |
| Friday 17th January | 1430 to 1630 | Year 13 Progress Meetings | See above – EMS teachers only. |
| Thursday 5th March | All Day Event | Year 13 – EMC Conference | |
| Tuesday 10th March | 1800 to 1900 | Supporting your Child during Examination Season Meeting | . |
| Tuesday 19th May | 1800 to 1900 | Online UCAS Event | An information session for parents and year 12 students about the university admission process – Remote joining details will be shared via email |
| Thursday 18th June | 1300 to 1400 | Year 13 Virtual EMC Graduation | Professor Tim Quine, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) at Exeter University will be virtually awarding students certification – Remote joining details will be shared via email |
| Thursday 25th June | 1900 to 2000 | Online Curriculum X Information Event | Students and parents are invited to a curriculum overview event- Remote joining details will be shared via email |
| Tuesday 14th July | 1500 to 1900 | Y12 Parent Meetings | |
| Wednesday 15th July | All Day | Y12 Parent Meetings | |
| Thursday 16th July | 1500 to 1900 | Y12 Parent Meetings |
Please note that the summer 2020 external examination dates listed below are subject to change.
The dates for the College exams will be added when available.
Year 12 Assessment Weeks:
W/b Monday 14th October
W/b Monday 20th January (Exeter College subjects only)
W/b Monday 10th February
Year 12 End of Year Assessment:
Wednesday 17th – Wednesday 24th June
Year 12 Re-sits:
Monday 24th – Wednesday 26th August
Year 13 Assessment Weeks:
W/b Monday 2nd December
W/b Monday 6th January (Exeter College subjects only)
Year 13 End of Year Assessment:
Wednesday 23rd – Friday 27th March
Tuesday 14th – Friday 17th April
Students can expect to receive one piece of homework per week per A-level, with each piece taking 2 hours to complete. They will also complete work towards EMC projects, this should take an average of 2 hours per week.
The homework set at EMS is structured to enable students to spend their 2 hours in the most constructive manner for them. A typical homework task has 3 sections:
Section A is optional – this covers basic skills and knowledge. Students should decide for themselves if completing this section is a productive use of their time.
Section B is compulsory – this covers typical examination questions. It is marked, usually by teachers, and feedback is used to inform students and set targets.
Section C is optional – this includes wider reading, challenging problems and broader content than usually covered in A-levels. Students are encouraged to complete this section if they have comfortably completed section B in less than 2 hours.
Students have timetabled lessons for the collection of homework during which feedback will be given. In addition to the homework set at EMS, students should expect to receive regular tasks from their College lecturers.
Year 12 Homework Timetable
Each fortnight, students will be set:
Year 13 Homework Timetable
Each fortnight, students will be set:
Overall Homework Timetable 2019/20
If students require an authorised absence from school, the form below should be completed and handed to Reception to begin the authorisation process. Hard copies are also available in Reception. Please allow plenty of time for this process to be completed prior to the time of planned absence. Submitting the form does not automatically result in authorisation; once submitted, students will need to wait to hear the outcome of their request. Each request is considered on its own merits and in light of the student’s attendance and progress.
Click on the link to access the form:
Authorisation is typically given for:
Authorisation is not typically given for:
