Mindfulness and Wellbeing

  • 25 Oct 2026

    The power of a simple thank you

    As we move towards the end of the year, our thoughts often turn to Christmas, when we traditionally thank colleagues, friends and family for their kindness, help and support.

    But why wait until Christmas? Why not give those you appreciate in your exam team an early thank you with a kind word or two?

    It is surprising how much a thoughtful word can lift someone's spirits and spur them on to give even more!

    Feeling appreciated is one of our strongest motivators and any sign that we are noticed and our contribution is valued can make a huge difference to how colleagues feel and work together.

    Whether you realise it or not, you are a leader in your team. A leader does not necessarily have to be someone who heads up a department, makes crucial decisions, or sets policy.

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  • 27 Sep 2026

    Are we preparing students for the exam room - or just the exam paper?

    We spend a great deal of time preparing students for exams.

    Teachers work hard to cover the curriculum. Once delivered, they look for gaps in individual learning and provide refreshers on difficult topics.

    As exams get closer, they may include revision time in their lessons, offer practice papers, share reminders about what to take into the exam room, how long their papers will be and perhaps give an overview of JCQ regulations.

    There is, however, another kind of preparation that I think we sometimes assume has happened.

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  • 28 Aug 2026

    Before the exam year gets busy: What will your team do differently this time?

    There is something about the beginning of a new academic year that encourages us to look forwards.

    There are dates to confirm, information to read, systems to prepare and people to brief. For exams managers/officers and their teams, it will not be long before another exam cycle begins to gather momentum.

    Before it does, perhaps there is value in looking backwards.

    Not to dwell on what went wrong, but to make sure that what we learned during the last exam series is not lost in the rush to begin the next one.

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  • 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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