Rest Break

[00:00:02] Hello and welcome to The Exam Man podcast. I'm your host, John Gaston and I am here with my co-host Sophie Gaston. Hi John. Hi, safe. This is going to be our last episode of the season. We're going to take a short

[00:00:39] break after this one but we will be back in the autumn. Don't fear by popular demand. And we also have a little plan that we've hatched to do a one off special around results

[00:00:53] which is going to incorporate lots of interesting things about the process that leads up to students getting their results. What happens in between, isn't it? What happens next? That was around on question of sport. What happens next? I don't know if anyone remembers that. Anyway,

[00:01:10] I'm laughing but I don't know what you're talking about. So we were contemplating what to do with our last show. Sophie is a big fan of, what you big fan of those programs that you kind of watch a lot of. I always walk in and

[00:01:28] so is watching a different group of women from somewhere in the world. Basically, I think I started with kind of the real housewise franchise but it's got worse and it's got into the spin-offs of the real housewise franchise. So you're

[00:01:42] walking into now things like the valley which I have to say was excellent. Yeah and serving the Hamptons. That was the latest one. But a lot of reality TV, I'm afraid, I'm sorry.

[00:01:55] But they always do a thing don't they at the end of a season where they have like a reunion show where they get them all together. And you think, you always think it's going to be

[00:02:05] like the worst but it's always great because you just see more of them. And also they just slag each other off. Yes, great. So we thought about doing that. We thought about just slagging each other off but we didn't think that would be that productive.

[00:02:19] And actually what we wanted to do was to just reflect a little, just very quickly on this season and how it's gone and the sorts of things we talked about and also look forward to what we're going to do in the autumn.

[00:02:33] So when we do season two in the autumn it's going to be a little bit different. Yeah mainly just because we're not kind of doing this in real time. When we started the podcast it was obviously, you were heading into the exam season

[00:02:48] and it was very much and the idea was being a kind of supportive voice. You're doing the same thing as everyone else. This is what is happening during an exam season. And that's been fantastic but season two will be an opportunity to sort of delve

[00:03:04] into a few of the topics around exams more broadly without catching up. When we started back in March we said that we wanted to do various episodes on certain issues around exams and things. And obviously the exam season runs away with itself

[00:03:20] and there was so much to talk about during that period that we didn't get round to doing some of the things that we wanted to do but in a way that's good because it enables us to have lots of ammunition for season two

[00:03:34] which our school has just lost its sixth form this year. So we're not going to have any A level students next year which means that or other sixth formers which means that my autumn season might be a bit quieter than it normally is.

[00:03:49] So yeah so I think the podcast will have a different feel in the autumn and we'll hopefully tackle some of the big issues. The meteor stuff isn't it we can get into. Yeah and we've already got some absolutely amazing guests lined up as well.

[00:04:04] So we're actually going to be as busy over the next few weeks just doing interviews which is really exciting with some cracking guests for the autumn term. So our experience at the beginning was obviously we were a new podcast

[00:04:19] and so we wanted to get as many people on to different people from different backgrounds, especially exams officers but also people working around exams to come on. And yeah it hasn't taken that long has it before we've got...

[00:04:36] No we've been approached by some really interesting people who want to come on and talk about their particular area or focus or expertise within exams and that is really exciting

[00:04:49] but we also want to say that you know exams officers that was the main target audience for the podcast and you are always welcome on there so no matter what guests we're getting on in the autumn term we would always welcome.

[00:05:03] Because I think the other thing I'd say is we have our ideas of things that we think would make good episodes and we've done some of those already and we've got plenty lined up but also... And some have come from feedback haven't they?

[00:05:16] Like special consideration with someone wanting to know a bit more about that. Yeah but there's also obviously lots of things out there that we aren't aware of, don't know about

[00:05:24] and you know the best way for us to find out about that is for you to get in contact with us. And the other thing I'd say is that we're going to do a special one-off episode as well around results day.

[00:05:40] You may know if you've been listening to this podcast that we are going to be taking a trip to Milton Keynes. Imminently? Imminently. And we're also going to hopefully speak to some examiners as well and try and create something which gives a real flavour

[00:05:57] of that process that takes place after the papers get sent off in the period leading up to the results days. So to try and give people a really good insight of what's happening during that period.

[00:06:12] While all the exams officers are sitting back having a cocktail over the summer what's happening? Interestingly what you know like... I'm joking because I know you're not doing that. I was looking a bit scornful there. Yeah so I guess that's one last thing to finish on really.

[00:06:28] I'm still running my year 10 exams. I have to say that I'm now getting very tired of running exams. Your adrenaline seems to have gone and you're just tired. Is that right? That is right, that is right.

[00:06:44] And I think the other thing that I would say is that although it's a very pressurised stressful period often when you do things like that you have like a moment where you finish and you're kind of elated.

[00:06:56] And it's like everyone's got the champagne out and spraying it and stuff. Is that what happens in schools when you finish a term? So the end of the public exams is really anti-climatic.

[00:07:09] So it's a real slow finish and it just peters out and you never get that moment of like celebration. And then like we were saying last time you often have to run sort of year 10 end of year exams and things like that. And it is really really...

[00:07:26] Well it's genuine because what as you were explaining wasn't it? You've got to you know you're really trying to set the tone with them. So that requires a lot of energy doesn't it to kind of master up that level of...

[00:07:37] I guess the thing is that in about probably in about a week's time everything will be done. And at that point we will, I will get together with my invigilators.

[00:07:47] They always come into school. We have like a nice coffee morning where we have food and stuff like that. And then we go for a night at the pub. So we will have a celebration it's just that it doesn't happen at that point where...

[00:07:58] When you feel like you need it. But yeah I'm looking forward to that. So and then you're sort of getting prepared for the results days really. So you've got things to do like your special consideration requests. What else do you have to do pre...

[00:08:13] So also you need to do the communications out to parents about results days, how that's going to work. You need to prepare all your information about appeals and things like that. So there is plenty to be done and obviously as well getting things in place for downloading results.

[00:08:34] So that people can get the information that they need quickly. And particularly if you're also a data manager as well as exams officer you're going to have to... Like you are? Like I am. You're going to have to like set up all those...

[00:08:46] Yeah sort of data sheets which will now enable your senior leaders to get a quick and easy picture of how the school is done. It's basically the fun never stops. So basically you just don't get summer really. First two weeks. First couple of weeks yeah.

[00:09:05] And a little bit I mean we... I normally take a little holiday don't I? At the end. After the results days. Just to get a few days rest before the term starts again. We'll be living it up in the Peak District. We will, we will.

[00:09:19] Yeah, yeah. Forrest holiday. So yeah so that's it from us really. But as a nice little way to round things off. You'll know that we've spoken to a number of exams officers this season.

[00:09:34] And we've sort of kept in touch with people throughout which has been a lovely kind of thing. I mean we've heard from a few of them haven't we? During the season providing little updates. So we've got a handful of them tonight.

[00:09:48] Some of them have updated us which is nice. At the end of the season yeah with their reflections really. So we hope you enjoy. Hello exam man. It's Marina. Yay exams are over. They've been over technically for us since Monday.

[00:10:08] If I include the step maths exam one of those oxbridge type exams that we had to do. The last parcel went off on Tuesday. So I'm delighted it's all over. We still have internal exams at school but they're finishing on Friday.

[00:10:27] And then after that it's getting ready for appeals and inquiries about results and that kind of thing. And then of course results day because it's not really over is it? But it has gone well thankfully everything's been fine another successful year.

[00:10:47] And I remember talking about that sense of satisfaction you get at the end. There is a great sense of satisfaction right now. Hope you're all well see you soon.

[00:11:01] So the June 24 exam season is over and I suppose one of the joys of being just an exams officer at and part time. Is that I haven't had to be in school this week since I've got no exams to run just been tying up a few loose ends.

[00:11:18] Although I have been frantically trying to get the house ready for what we believe to be is our imminent house move although we have no firm date yet. So in some respects it's out of the frying pan and into the fire.

[00:11:32] I guess looking back on the exam season one word sums it up for me which is brutal. Exam seasons are always things to be enjoyed rather than enjoyed but for various reasons this year the exam season was very challenging.

[00:11:54] But we got through it and already the memory of it is starting to fade and I think it can't have been that bad was it?

[00:12:05] But so without wanting to sound like some kind of academy award winner I have to say I'm very grateful to my excellent exams administrator. A great team of invigilators and a very supportive line manager and head of centre and so we got through it.

[00:12:25] So yeah the summer is upon us for which I'm very grateful and I hope everyone also has a great summer. Ni Hao from Taiwan, it's Camilla here from Taipei European School. Congratulations to John and Sophie for this great first season of the exam man.

[00:12:43] It has been so lovely to hear from about other people's experiences all around the world and doing what I do. And it's been nice to hear how they do things differently or what they experience differently in different types of schools and centres.

[00:12:56] It's been a very good season for me this year, confirmed with a nice surprise from Cambridge Exam Board who came to inspect us but it was all successful so all good.

[00:13:06] There were no broken bones or major changes due to illness for my students this year which was one extra bonus. One exciting thing that did happen to me this season was in the first business exam.

[00:13:17] Our school is based in the Yamanshan mountain area so we get all sorts of creatures and animals. During the exam a flying hornet type inset was flying around the exam room. It was okay at first but then it started landing on the students desks.

[00:13:31] I got the spare pen pot and a piece of card and started following this flying creature around the room trying to be like a ninja moving around as quietly and as subtle as possible. But after about 20, 25 minutes I managed to catch it and set it free.

[00:13:43] It was a little like entertainment for the invigilators however this is not the end of the story. Business paper number two which was about a week later. This same creature was seen flying around the door entrance of the exam hall.

[00:13:56] The students thought it was hilarious because this creature hadn't actually featured in any other exams. It must only just love business. Anyway, well done to all the exam officers for completing the summer exam season 2024. I hope you have a great summer and a well deserved break.

[00:14:12] Thanks everyone, bye bye. One last thing I'd like to add is over the last few podcasts some people have invited you to their exam centres, to their offices. I'd love to invite you guys out to Taiwan. It's a wonderful place.

[00:14:26] So from my hometown of Brighton to my new town of Taipei, you're welcome anytime. Maybe see you soon, bye. Just to warn you Camilla that Sophie is currently looking to see whether or not we can get a refund on our holiday to the Peak District.

[00:14:43] So you may be seeing us in Taipei soon. So we know that you'll be bereft without our dulcet tones every Friday. So just wanted to remind you one more time that we will be doing a one off additional episode in August.

[00:15:00] So look out for that, but better than looking out for it. If you can follow, subscribe and rate the podcast on the major podcasting platforms, then obviously you will get notified automatically on your phone of new episodes when they come out.

[00:15:20] So I would highly recommend that if you never want to miss an episode of the exam man. And we just want to say a really big thank you really to finish off this season as we look forward to season two,

[00:15:32] to thank all the guests who've contributed so enthusiastically to a new podcast about a very niche area that we're obviously really passionate about. And it was amazing to chat to so many interesting people over the last few weeks.

[00:15:50] And we also just want to say thank you as well to all those people who have quietly emailed us to say how much they've appreciated it and enjoyed it. And over the last few weeks it has been hugely appreciated by us.

[00:16:01] Yeah, definitely. Thanks to everyone who's ever listened to an episode there and we really hope that you join us for season two, which we're really excited about. So thank you. See you soon.

[00:16:14] Thank you so much for listening to the exam man podcast. We really, really appreciate your support. Remember that you can access it on all the major podcast platforms. Give us a rating. Give us a follow and we will catch you next time.