Key Stage 3 Viva Exams
Throughout Key Stage 3, Eastbrook students complete a Viva exam annually, in each subject. The term Viva is commonly used to describe oral exams sat by PHD students at university. It comes from the Latin 'Viva Voce', meaning ‘with living voice’. In the Roman Era, most exams focused on oracy and Viva's were used to prepare candidates interested in legal or political roles.
Today, student oracy is in danger of declining. So much of examination is focused on silent writing in controlled conditions and students spend significant periods of time online, rather than interacting face to face. Viva's help students to practice speaking about their ideas in front of the class and answering questions from their classmates. They build confidence, prepare students for real-world professional challenges and improve literacy and memory, indirectly. They also create an environment in which a different set of skills can be rewarded at assessment.
When a student is preparing for a Viva, their home learning will focus on this and the materials they are given will support them. We ask families to also support with preparing students, reviewing their research for example, and helping them to practice in advance.
At GCSE level, students are required to complete an oracy exam in English Language and of course also in French or Spanish, if studying an additional language. The Viva is critical in preparing students for this. Eastbrook also offers excellent opportunities for particularly keen speakers to widen their participation in oracy activities, such as the Jack Petchey Speak out Challenge, Debate Mate programme and Junior Leadership Team and Prefect Team.
The basic structure of the Viva exams requires the student to deliver an oral presentation to the class on a given subject for around 2 minutes, often with a prompt such as an image or artefact. They will be graded on the quality of their preparation as well as their oracy skills. Students will also be graded on the quality of their responses to unseen questions from their classmates and teacher.
Please find below the Viva support booklets that are provided for each student, within each subject. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s class teacher or the Head of Department for further clarification if needed.
