Key Academic Information
Year 9
Key Academic Information - Year 9
2019 - 2020
Autumn Term
- Start of Year Service (Friday 13 September)
- International Pupils' Association Welcome Dinner (Tuesday 17 September)
- Literacy screening for all Year 9
- Half-term report (grades only)
- House Song (Tuesday 22 October)
- Concert and parents' meeting with Year 9 group tutors (Wednesday 23 October)
- Parents’ Carol Service/Year 9 Annual Service (Tuesday 26 November)
- Festival of Languages (Thursday 14 November)
- Carol Service (Thursday 5 December)
- End of term report
Spring Term
- Discussions with Year 9 pupils about Year 10/11 options
- Review of AEN / exam arrangement assessment
- Careers: Morrisby Profile assessment (Part 1)
- Languages Oscars Night (Friday 7 February)
- Half-term report
- Science Week (w/c 9 March)
- Presentation to Year 9 parents on Year 10/11 options (Friday 27 March)
- Parents’ meeting with Year 9 subject tutors - final day of term (Friday 27 March)
- Year 10/11 options - 'Year 10/11 Courses' booklet and choices form available. Form to be submitted after the Easter holiday
Summer Term
- Return of Year 10/11 options form - first week of term
- Summer Celebration and Prize-giving - final day of the first half-term (Saturday 23 May)
- End of year internal examinations - pre and post half-term break
- End of term report
- Textbooks to be returned to the issuing department by the end of term
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1) Academic Trips, Visits, Exchanges and Fieldwork
A number of trips, visits, exchanges and fieldwork activities take place throughout Year 9 which support pupils’ academic studies. Where necessary, parents will be given as much notification as possible of the precise dates of these activities.
2) Summer term internal examinations
These internal examinations are an important opportunity for pupils and teachers to gauge levels of progress. Pupils are strongly advised to prepare for these internal examinations as fully as possible to ensure that they are in a position to perform to their potential.
Appropriate revision during the preceding half-term break is strongly advised to consolidate the work covered during the academic year. Parents are encouraged to make any holiday arrangements with this firmly in mind. The outcomes from these examinations will be one strand of evidence which will inform Year 10/11 options and setting decisions in Year 10.
3) Reporting
Reports are provided at the end of each term and at half-term in the autumn and spring terms. The report at the end of the summer term is a full booklet. The reports at the end of the autumn and spring terms are A4 summary sheets. The spring half-term summary reports will list grades and may include some subject tutor comments. Reporting sessions are used by group tutors and Housemasters/Housemistresses to closely monitor pupil performance and progress. Parents are contacted as appropriate following reporting sessions if a pupil is not meeting academic expectations.
4) Year 9 Programme
As part of the Year 9 programme, pupils will be involved in a series of activities and trips throughout the year:
| Monday 2 September | Induction Day | |
| Friday 6 September | Nine at Millfield Cornwall Camp | |
| Sunday 10 November | Nine at Millfield Outdoor Adventure Day | |
| Sunday 19 January | Nine at Millfield Outdoor Adventure Day | |
| Sunday 3 May | Nine at Millfield Expedition (Keen's Elm and Millfield) | |
| Sunday 17 May | Nine at Millfield Expedition (Acacia and Ivythorn) | |
| Mon 15 - Fri 19 June | Nine at Millfield Summer Camp |
Parents will be advised of further activities/dates upon confirmation.
Year 10
Key Academic Information - Year 10
2019 - 2020
Autumn Term
- Induction Day (Monday 2 September)
- Literacy screening for all new Year 10
- Year 10 Social (Saturday 7 September)
- Start of Year Service (Friday 13 September)
- International Pupils' Association Welcome Dinner (Tuesday 17 September)
- House Song (Tuesday 22 October)
- Half-term report (grades only)
- Year 10 parents’ meeting with group tutors (Wednesday 23 October)
- Parents’ Carol Service/Year 9 Annual Service (Tuesday 26 November)
- Festival of Languages (Thursday 14 November)
- Carol Service (Thursday 5 December)
- End of term report
Spring Term
- Languages Oscars Night (Friday 7 February)
- Half-term report
- Year 10 parents’ meeting with subject tutors - final Sunday of half-term break (Sunday 23 February)
- End of term report
Summer Term
- Careers: Morrisby Profile assessment (Part 2), with guidance interviews from FutureSmart Careers
- End of year internal examinations – pre-half-term break
- Summer Celebration and Prize-giving – final day of the first half-term (Saturday 23 May)
- End of term report
Academic Information - Year 10
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1) Coursework (or Controlled Assessments)
Formal coursework/controlled assessments tasks will be ongoing throughout Year 10; these will take place during normal timetabled lessons.
2) GCSE Examinations
- GCSE Drama practical examinations take place in the second half of the spring term.
3) Academic Trips, Visits, Exchanges and Fieldwork
A number of trips, visits, exchanges and fieldwork activities take place throughout Year 10 which support pupils’ academic studies. Where necessary, parents will be given as much notification as possible of the precise dates of these activities. In some subjects, participation is regarded as an essential part of the course.
4) Summer term internal examinations
These internal examinations are an important opportunity for pupils and teachers to gauge levels of progress. Pupils are strongly advised to prepare for these internal examinations as fully as possible to ensure that they are in a position to perform to their potential.
Appropriate revision during the preceding Easter break is strongly advised to consolidate the work covered during the academic year. Parents are encouraged to make any holiday arrangements with this firmly in mind. The outcomes from these examinations will be one strand of evidence which will inform decisions about setting in Year 11 and tier of entry in terminal examinations.
5) Reporting
Reports are provided at the end of each term and at half-term in the autumn and spring terms. The report at the end of the summer term is a full booklet. The reports at the end of the spring term are A4 summary sheets. The spring half-term summary reports will list grades and may include some subject tutor comments. Reporting sessions are used by group tutors and Housemasters/Housemistresses to closely monitor pupil performance and progress. Parents are contacted as appropriate following reporting sessions if a pupil is not meeting academic expectations.
Year 11
Key Academic Information - Year 11
2019 - 2020
Autumn Term
- Year 11 Social (Saturday 7 September)
- Start of Year Service (Friday 13 September)
- International Pupils' Association Welcome Dinner (Tuesday 17 September)
- Transition to Lower Sixth event
- House Song (Tuesday 22 October)
- Half-term report
- Careers: Morrisby Profile assessment (Parts 1 and 2)
- Revision skills workshop
- Parents’ Carol Service/Year 9 Annual Service (Tuesday 26 November)
- Festival of Languages (Thursday 14 November)
- Carol Service (Thursday 5 December)
- End of term report
Spring Term
- GCSE Rehearsal examinations (see the following note on Rehearsal examinations)
- Discussions with pupils about Sixth Form options
- Careers: Morrisby assessment results issued, with guidance interviews from FutureSmart Careers
- Languages Oscars Night (Friday 7 February)
- GCSE Rehearsal results provided in advance of the Year 11 Parents’ Meeting
- Presentation to Year 11 parents on ‘Sixth Form Options’ – immediately before the Year 11 Parents’ Meeting
- Year 11 parents’ meeting with Year 11 subject tutors – final Friday before half-term break (Friday 14 February)
- ‘Sixth Form Courses’ booklet, containing full details of all Sixth Form courses and provisional subject blocking information, made available to parents
- End of term report
Summer Term
- Summer Celebration & Prize-giving – final day of the first half-term (Saturday 23 May)
- GCSE examinations begin – pupils will be issued with a personalised examination timetable
- Pupils may revise at home (see 2, Note 1 below)
- End of term Housemaster/Housemistress letter home (plus any co-curricular reports)
- Textbooks to be returned to the issuing department by the end of term
Academic Information - Year 11
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1) Coursework (or Controlled Assessments)
Formal coursework/controlled assessments tasks will be ongoing throughout Year 11; these will take place during normal timetabled lessons.
2) GCSE Examinations
- Appropriate revision during the Easter and summer half-term breaks is essential – please make holiday plans accordingly.
- GCSE Art examinations start in the first half of the spring term.
- GCSE Drama practical examinations take place early in the second half of the spring term in Year 11.
- IGCSE English as a Second Language oral typically takes place towards the end of the spring term in Year 11.
- The IGCSE English Language Speaking & Listening assessment typically takes place in the second half of the spring term in Year 11.
- The GCSE PE practical examination typically takes place towards the end of the spring term in Year 11.
- Revision at home and Examination Leave – the detailed arrangements will be confirmed in a letter sent from the Deputy Head (Academic), available via the Parent Portal, at the start of the summer term. Typically, examination leave may be taken from half-term in the summer term.
- Pupils following BTEC programmes may not take examination leave until they have completed all their assignments and have permission from the relevant Head of Department.
- Post-examination routine – following the GCSE examination period the Year 11 ‘normal’ timetable is the post-GCSE programme (details of which are sent home in the Easter mailing). All Year 11 pupils at Millfield at this time will be required to take part in this programme which will typically run during the final week of the summer term.
- The above arrangements must on no account conflict with school commitments; team players, musicians and those involved in other group activities must refer to the appropriate staff.
3) Academic Trips, Visits, Exchanges and Fieldwork
A number of trips, visits, exchanges and fieldwork activities take place throughout Year 11 which support pupils’ academic studies. Where necessary, parents will be given as much notification as possible of the precise dates of these activities. In some subjects, participation is regarded as an essential part of the course.
4) Spring Term GCSE Rehearsal Examinations
The GCSE Rehearsal examinations are an important opportunity for pupils and teachers to gauge levels of progress. Pupils are strongly advised to prepare for these internal examinations as fully as possible to ensure that they are in a position to perform to their potential.
Extensive revision during the preceding Christmas break is strongly advised to consolidate the work covered so far. Parents are encouraged to make any holiday arrangements with this firmly in mind. Experience shows that lack of preparation for Rehearsal examinations is an indicator for likely under-performance in the real thing. The outcomes from these examinations will be important evidence which will inform decisions on the tier of entry for terminal examinations.
5) Reporting
Reports are provided at the end of the autumn and spring terms and at half-term in the autumn term. The reports at half-term in the autumn term and at the end of the spring term are A4 summary sheets; the report at the end of the autumn term is a full booklet. Parents will receive a summary of GCSE Rehearsal grades in advance of the Year 11 Parents’ Meeting. A Housemaster/Housemistress letter (plus any co-curricular reports) will be sent home at the end of the summer term. Reporting sessions are used by group tutors and Housemasters/Housemistresses to closely monitor pupil performance and progress. Parents are contacted as appropriate following reporting sessions if a pupil is not meeting academic expectations.
Lower Sixth
Key Academic Information - Lower Sixth
2019 - 2020
Autumn Term
- Lower Sixth Advice with Sixth Form Choices meeting – Sunday before term starts (Sunday 1 September)
- Sixth Form choices finalised – first Monday of term (Monday 2 September)
- Literacy screening for all Lower Sixth
- Review of AEN/exam arrangements
- Linguists' Welcome (Friday 13 September)
- Start of Year Service (Friday 13 September)
- Lower Sixth Social (Saturday 14 September)
- International Pupils' Association Welcome Dinner (Tuesday 17 September)
- House Song (Tuesday 22 October)
- Half-term report
- Parents’ Carol Service/Year 9 Annual Service (Tuesday 26 November)
- Festival of Languages (Thursday 14 November)
- Presentation to Lower Sixth parents on 'Higher Education applications' – immediately before the Lower Sixth Parents' Meeting
- Carol Service (Thursday 5 December)
- Lower Sixth Parents' Meeting with subject tutors – final Friday of term (Friday 6 December)
- End of term report
Spring Term
- Pupil briefing on ‘Higher Education applications’ – UK (including Oxbridge) & American Universities
- MyUniChoices assessment, follow up report and optional guidance interviews by My Future Choice (MFC)
- Languages Oscars Night (Friday 7 February)
- Half-term report (grades only)
- Millfield Careers and University Fair (Monday 9 March)
- Opportunities to attend university open/taster days
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) entry opportunity for Higher Education applications to American Universities (Saturday 14 March)
- UCAS Higher Education Exhibition (March, date to be confirmed)
- End of term report
Summer Term
- Linguists Farewell (Friday 1 May)
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) entry opportunity for Higher Education applications to American Universities (Saturday 2 May)
- Opportunities to attend university open/taster days
- Presentations from selected universities and employers
- Summer Celebration and Prize-giving – final day of the first half-term (Saturday 23 May)
- OM Careers Convention seminars and presentations (Saturday 13 June)
- Higher Education application process begins, with guidance on the UCAS process
- Introduction to writing a personal statment (for university applications)
- OM Careers Convention seminars and presentations (Saturday 13 June)
- End of term report
Summer Vacation
- Preparations for Higher Education applications:
- Undertake relevant work experience
- Research suitable courses and universities
- Draft personal statement
- Visit university open and taster days
- Carry out relevant extension work (e.g. background reading in advance of Oxbridge application)
- Medics, Vets and other relevant applicants register for UCAT
- US University Handbooks published (UCAS, Oxbridge and USA) - Results Day (August) – advice available with any post-result queries
Academic Information - Lower Sixth
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1) Academic Trips, Visits, Exchanges and Fieldwork
A number of trips, visits, exchanges and fieldwork activities take place throughout the Lower Sixth which support pupils’ academic studies. Where necessary, parents will be given as much notification as possible of the precise dates of these activities. In some subjects, participation is regarded as an essential part of the course.
2) Internal Examinations
Academic departments will timetable internal examinations at appropriate points throughout the academic year.
Internal examinations are an important opportunity for pupils and teachers to gauge levels of progress and they should be regarded as an important stepping stone in preparation for the examinations in May/June. Pupils are strongly advised to prepare for these internal examinations to ensure that they are in a position to perform to their potential.
Appropriate revision during the period of time preceding these internal examinations is strongly advised. Experience shows that lack of preparation for internal examinations is an indicator for likely under-performance in the real thing. The outcomes from internal examinations help us to build the pupil profile from which we will ultimately make grade predictions, both for the examination boards and for Higher Education applications.
3) Reporting
Reports are provided at the end of each term and at half-term in the autumn and spring terms. The reports at the end of the autumn and summer terms are A4 summary sheets. The spring half-term summary report will list grades and may include some subject tutor comments. The report at the end of the spring term is a full booklet. Reporting sessions are used by group tutors and Housemasters/Housemistresses to closely monitor pupil performance and progress. Parents are contacted as appropriate following reporting sessions if a pupil is not meeting academic expectations.
Upper Sixth
Key Academic Information - Upper Sixth
2019 - 2020
Autumn Term
- Linguists’ Welcome (Friday 13 September)
- Upper Sixth Social (Saturday 14 September)
- International Pupils' Association Welcome Dinner (Tuesday 17 September)
- Higher Education applications on-going: early entry courses (e.g. Oxbridge, Dentists, Medics, Vets, Musicians, US early decision/action) to be completed by Monday 16 September; other UCAS applications should be completed by Friday 8 November
- University workshop on completing the personal statement
- Opportunities to attend university Open/Taster Days; possible interviews and/or offer decisions
- Presentations from selected universities and employers (at Millfield)
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) entry opportunity for Higher Education applications to American Universities (Saturday 5 October)
- House Song (Tuesday 22 October)
- Half-term report
- Upper Sixth parents’ meeting with subject tutors – final Sunday of half-term (Sunday 3 November)
- Parents’ Carol Service/Year 9 Annual Service (Tuesday 26 November)
- Festival of Languages (Thursday 14 November)
- Carol Service (Thursday 5 December)
- Oxbridge interviews at the end of term and the start of the Christmas holidays
- End of term report
Spring Term
- Higher Education applications – possible interviews and/or offer decisions
- Higher Education - acceptance of firm and insurance offers
- Optional guidance interviews from FutureSmart Careers (FSC) for those who have not applied to university
- Languages Oscars Night (Friday 7 February)
- Half-term report
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) entry opportunity for Higher Education applications to American Universities (Saturday 14 March)
- End of term report
Summer Term
- Linguists Farewell (Friday 1 May)
- Summer Celebration and Prize-giving – final day of the first half-term (Saturday 23 May)
- May/June examinations – pupils will be issued with a personalised examination timetable (also, see notes below)
- Pupils may revise at home (see point 2 below)
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) entry opportunity for Higher Education applications to American Universities (Saturday 2 May)
- End of term Housemaster/Housemistress letter home (plus any co-curricular reports)
- Textbooks to be returned to the issuing department by the end of term
- Results Day – advice available and ongoing help with any post-exam/repeat applications
Academic Information - Upper Sixth
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1) Upper Sixth Coursework
Coursework will be ongoing throughout the Upper Sixth. Some work may be required during Christmas, Easter and half-term breaks – please make holiday plans accordingly.
2) External Examinations – May/June
- Appropriate revision during the Easter and summer half-term breaks is essential – please make holiday plans accordingly.
- Please be aware that CIE A level exams may take place during the summer half-term. Details to be confirmed upon release of exam dates.
- Art/Photography examinations start in the first half of the spring term.
- A level Drama practical examinations typically take place during the spring term.
- Language oral examinations typically take place in the second half of the spring term and continue into the first half of the summer term.
- A level Physical Education practical moderation will take place in the early part of the summer term.
- Examination Leave – revision at home and in boarding houses: detailed arrangements for revision at home and examination leave will be confirmed in a letter sent from the Deputy Head (Academic), available via the Parent Portal.
- Pupils following BTEC programmes may not take examination leave until they have completed all their assignments and have permission from the relevant Head of Department.
- Post-examination period: Upper Sixth pupils will normally be expected to leave the school once their final examination has been completed unless House or School commitments require them to remain.
- The above arrangements must on no account conflict with school commitments; team players, musicians and those involved in other group activities must refer to the appropriate staff.
3) Academic Trips, Visits, Exchanges and Fieldwork
A number of trips, visits, exchanges and fieldwork activities take place throughout the Upper Sixth which support pupils’ academic studies. Where necessary, parents will be given as much notification as possible of the precise dates of these activities. In some subjects, participation is regarded as an essential part of the course.
4) Internal Examinations
Academic departments will timetable internal examinations at appropriate points throughout the academic year. These internal examinations will take place during normal lesson time and will be scheduled by each Head of Department to best fit with teaching programmes.
Internal examinations are an important opportunity for pupils and teachers to gauge levels of progress and they should be regarded as an important stepping stone in preparation for the examinations in May/June. Pupils are strongly advised to prepare for these internal examinations as fully as possible to ensure that they are in a position to perform to their potential.
Appropriate revision during the period of time preceding these internal examinations is strongly advised. Experience shows that lack of preparation for internal examinations is an indicator for likely under-performance in the real thing.
5) Reporting
Reports are provided at half-term and the end of each term in the autumn and spring terms. The autumn term reports are A4 summary sheets. The report at the end of the spring term is a full booklet; the spring half-term report will list grades and may include some subject tutor comments. A Housemaster/Housemistress letter (plus any co-curricular reports) will be sent home at the end of the summer term. Reporting sessions are used by group tutors and Housemasters/Housemistresses to closely monitor pupil performance and progress. Parents are contacted as appropriate following reporting sessions if a pupil is not meeting academic expectations.