To keep exams fair and secure, every school must make sure that the right students are sitting the right papers. Thames Park Secondary School has a proper procedure to check student identity before and during exams. This helps prevent cheating and ensures exams are conducted smoothly and honestly.
Purpose of the Procedure
The main goal of this policy is to make sure that Thames Park verifies the identity of every student entered for exams or assessments. The school follows national exam board rules, ensuring identity checks are done properly and respectfully.
Identity Checks for Internal Students
For students already studying at Thames Park Secondary School (called internal candidates), the identity check happens during the school registration process. The school receives the student’s identity information from the local authority or their previous school.
So, when exam day comes, the school already knows who the student is and can easily confirm their identity.
No Private Candidates Allowed
Thames Park does not accept private or external candidates (students who are not studying at the school). Because of this, there’s no need for a separate ID check process for these candidates.
How Identity is Confirmed on Exam Day
To make sure the right students are taking the exams, Thames Park has a clear system in place:
Desk cards are used, showing each student’s name and photograph.
A senior staff member or the exam officer is always present at the start of the exam to help verify who’s who.
If a student is from another school or has been transferred, they must show photo ID, like a passport or driving licence.
If a student is wearing religious clothing (like a veil) that covers their face, a staff member of the same gender will take them to a private room and politely ask them to uncover their face briefly for ID purposes.
Students with special arrangements are also noted, and invigilators are told in advance so they can offer the correct support.
Responsibilities of Staff
Exams Officer Duties:
Makes sure invigilators are trained in how to confirm student identity.
Informs any external or transferred students (if accepted in the future) that they must bring photo ID.
Tells students about religious clothing checks in advance, so they are prepared.
Ensures invigilators know which students have special arrangements before the exam starts.
There are no extra responsibilities noted beyond these key tasks.
Latest Updates (2024–2025)
The school updated some wording in line with new national guidelines (ICE 16), such as how the identity confirmation process is described. However, there were no major changes to how the school actually handles ID checks, and no centre-specific rules were added this year.
Thames Park Secondary School takes exam security seriously by following a clear and respectful identity verification process. Whether it’s using photo desk cards, staff checks, or private ID checks for religious reasons, the school ensures that exams are fair, organised, and in line with national rules. These steps not only help prevent cheating but also give students confidence that the exam process is secure and trustworthy.
