Mindfulness and Wellbeing

  • 28 Jul 2026

    Preparing for a calmer exam season starts in September

    There is something rather special about the weeks after the summer exam season has finished.

    The pressure begins to ease. The exam papers have been collected, the invigilators have gone home and, for a brief period, there is time to breathe.

    For many of us, after our August results are in, our thoughts will naturally turn to September. New students. New colleagues. New routines. New challenges.

    It feels like a fresh start.

    But I wonder if September is more than that.

    I wonder if September is quietly the beginning of next year's exam season.

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  • 27 Jun 2026

    From pressure to perspective: Reflecting after the exam period

    For many people in schools and colleges, exam season appears to end when the last student leaves the exam hall.

    For exams officers and data managers, however, the experience is very different.

    For months, you have been operating at an extremely high level of vigilance. Every timetable, entry, room plan, access arrangement, deadline has been important. You know that small slips or errors could have had major consequences. Through it all, you’ve stayed focused, alert and committed to maintaining the highest standards. Phew!

    And now, before that long-awaited results day arrives, you have a valuable opportunity.

    To pause. To reflect. To recognise what you’ve accomplished.

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  • 26 May 2026

    Keeping calm and staying in control

    Chances are if you are an Exams Manager/Officer you are running on caffeine and adrenaline with little patience for anything unnecessary right now.

    As we move through the exam season things can often feel more of a struggle, with mental exhaustion pushed aside until our scheduled summer break. We are still in the midst of questions though and that needs us to stay on the ball.

    So here’s a gentle reminder...Stay calm. Stay organised. Stay compliant. Don’t miss anything.

    You are not looking to be perfect, but to stay in control. You cannot control every situation, but you can stay in control of your systems and your routines. This way you stay on top of the priorities that are most important and you avoid things escalating.

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  • 27 Apr 2026

    Handling the Heat: Managing pressure from staff and parents

    The exam season is a high-pressure period in the school calendar - not just for students, but for exam officers as well. Behind every seating plan, access arrangement, and timetable is a professional - (you!) holding it all together. But let’s not under- estimate the emotional pressure we also often get from staff and parents.

    Perhaps you’ve had a challenging conversation from a teacher questioning a decision or a concerned parent demanding last-minute changes. As exams start, tension may come from all sorts of areas and you may find others’ expectations intense and overwhelming.

    Managing all these things whilst staying fair and true to your responsibilities takes emotional intelligence. Setting clear boundaries helps us stay calm under pressure. All this is essential if you’re to protect your own wellbeing.

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  • 30 Mar 2026

    How managing emotions can boost exam performance

    We often talk about exam stress in terms of revision plans, study techniques, and subject knowledge. But there’s another important aspect that’s often overlooked – the emotional side.

    How a student feels going into an exam – anxious, calm, overwhelmed, or focused – can significantly affect how they perform. Even the most prepared student can go blank if their thoughts are spiralling. On the flip side, a student who has learned to manage their emotions can stay steady, think clearly, and make the most of what they know.

    In this blog post we’ll look at how managing thoughts and feelings can create the ideal conditions for learning and exam success – and how exam staff and teachers can help students build these essential emotional skills.

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  • 23 Feb 2026

    The exams officer survival guide: Thriving under deadlines

    If you’ve ever found yourself answering three emails at once while sorting seating plans, calming a worried teacher, and triple-checking access arrangements - all before your first cup of tea - then like me, you’re an exams officer.

    And if that sounds familiar, you also know this role isn’t just about data and logistics. It’s about pressure. Timelines. People. Accuracy. Calm in chaos. And holding it all together when things feel like they could unravel at any moment.

    But here’s the good news: you can thrive under deadline. You can go beyond just getting through the exam season - you can feel confident, clear-headed, and even calm (yes, really).

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