THE scene was familiar. But the composition of the 75 candidates settling down to take an examination in the High School gymnasium differed drastically from the norm.
Staff were in the hot seat this morning as well as students.
Last year, the High piloted a new project. Ten pupils sat the Health and Safety Council's Certificate in Health and Safety at Work.
To course leader Sarah-Jane Bigby's delight all ten pas
sed.
Now the High has become the first school in the country to offer the council's Level One examination to both pupils and staff, attracting television interest.
Sarah-Jane said: "The atmosphere in the school this week has been intense. There has been a good deal of banter going on between staff and students over the examination.
"It's become a real staff-v-students thing.
"Because the students had a 100% pass rate last year it is fair to say that this year there is a bit of pressure on staff!
"It's marvellous."
The examination was sat by students from across the ability range.
Not only is also a competitive spirit between students in the four school houses, three of the four heads of house were sitting the examination.
Jesse Martin, 15, and Nicola Everley, 16, were among last year's 100% success story. They had studies in after-school hours to gain their success.
Last Friday they were back in the examination room. This time they were helping out as invigilators.
Jesse said of her certificate: "It just seemed like a good thing to have before going into the workplace."
Nicola said: "The questions are just commonsense, really."
The Level One certificate is equal to a GCSE. More than 70,000 candidates will be taking it across the country.
Because Bexhill High School candidates are the first to sit the paper they have just five working days to wait for their results.
Will be students beat the staff? The results should be available by next Friday.
Multiple-choice questions included:
*Employers have a duty to take reasonable care over which of their fellow workers?
a. Only those working full-time?
b. Only those over the age of 55?
c.Only those under the age of 21?
d. All of them?
Which is the most severe punishment that a court can impose following a Health and Safety prosecution?
a. A fine?
b. Community Service Order?
c.Name and sham?
.d.A prison sentence?
By law, how much is an employer allowed to charge its workers for providing personal protective equipment?
a. Nothing?
b. Half the cost?
c.£25 overall?
d. The full cost?
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