28 Nov 2025
As the final weeks of term unfold, it is a valuable opportunity for us as exam officers to step back and consider the bigger picture - not just what was achieved, but how it was achieved. Behind every deadline met and timetable managed lies a lot of collaboration, communication, and daily problem-solving.
Now is traditionally the time to reflect on those working relationships, notice what supported your role, and recognise where things could run more smoothly next time.
We are continually preparing – and responding. We work not only with awarding bodies and admin teams but also with senior leaders, pastoral staff, parents, and teachers.
So before you rush into January planning, take a moment to reflect:
What worked, what didn’t — and how can you carry those insights forward into the new year?
1. Reflecting on your role in the wider team
You might wear many hats as you juggle your responsibilities, but how connected did you feel with the wider school team this term?
Ask yourself:
- Did I feel supported by colleagues across departments?
- Were expectations of my role well communicated and respected?
- Did I have the opportunity to offer my own opinions and ideas or was I mostly reacting to others’ agendas?
This is the time to review—not to judge—but to gently assess your experience so far.
Your role matters. And it is okay to acknowledge when things felt heavy or disconnected.
2. Examining team dynamics and collaboration
Take a look at the working relationships that shaped your term:
- Admin Teams:
Was there a sense of shared purpose in the tasks you carried out together? Were systems efficient, or were you repeatedly chasing information or smoothing communications that were ‘less than’ they should have been?
- Awarding Bodies:
How good were they at dealing with queries or changes? Were the deadlines clear and manageable? Did you feel confident and informed—or were you frustrated and stretched?
- Senior Leadership:
Did you get the data and exchange you needed from SLT? Did meetings support your planning, or create extra demands?
- Teaching Staff & Pastoral Teams:
Were communication lines open and respectful? Did they understand the importance of processes and timelines? Or did you find yourself reminding, chasing, or firefighting?
- Parents & Carers:
Were you supported in communicating with families? Did the systems in place help create professional connections?
As you review, notice where things clicked—and where they didn’t.
Patterns often tell a bigger story, and December is the perfect time to identify those.
3. What did you learn about the way you work?
Some helpful prompts for your end-of-year self-review:
- Where was I in flow?
(What tasks felt clear, efficient, and even enjoyable?)
- Where did I feel resistance?
(Which processes or interactions drained energy or caused friction?)
- What helped communication—and what hindered it?
(What style seems to be working best for me?)
- Which tools, documents or routines actually worked?
(And which ones created confusion or repetition?)
- What feedback—formal or informal—did I receive?
(And what did it highlight about how I show up in my role?)
These questions will help you get ahead in January by understanding where you need clarity, support, or change.
4. Looking ahead: Set your intentions early
Instead of waiting until the pressure ramps up again in January, now is a powerful time to:
- Make a list of processes that need refining
- Note who you need to re-brief or reset expectations with
- Create or update checklists, templates or timelines for the spring term
- Record your insights while they’re fresh
And equally important: Set an intention for how you want to feel next term.
What is that? - Organised? Respected? Clear? Supported?
These Intentions will help you choose what boundaries to reinforce, what systems to simplify, and what communication to improve.
5. Closing the year with self-appreciation
Finally, before the year closes, remember this: you made it through a term full of high energy, moving pieces, and rising demands.
Even if your to-do list is still overflowing and your systems aren't perfect—pause for a moment to reflect on:
- The exams you started to coordinate
- The students you have already supported
- The crises you quietly handled
- The deadlines you met (or helped others meet)
You played a vital role. And the better your systems and relationships become, the more impact you’ll make.
Final thought
Take time to reflect on your personal involvement, team collaboration, and the connections that carried your work forward - and sometimes held it back.
Your reflections now will pave the way for clearer systems, stronger relationships, and smoother exam cycles next term.
So take a deep breath, acknowledge what you’ve learned, and allow yourself to look forward with purpose.
I work with schools to prepare their students for the mental challenge of exams. I offer 1-day CPD workshops and Inset Days Training for schools to help you build Teacher and Student Resilience to exam stress.
Want me to work with your staff on Exam Stress and Thinking Skills? Download my CPD pack at www.geraldinejozefiak.com/cpd
Contact me at hello@geraldinejozefiak.com