I don't really know how helpful this will be because I don't really know what you want to know, but here goes:
The school is wonderful! I love it so so much!
The teaching is mostly really great and the teachers are so enthusiastic about their subjects and some try so hard for you to like it!
With the majority of classes, they get you to try out methods first, you make conjectures (kind of like an opinion based on incomplete information, so a bit like a theory I guess) and then the teacher will show you how to do it.
Most of the time, they won't help you straight away - they want you to be independent, but at the same time, if you really need the help they'll supply it.
The atmosphere at the school is great - it's really "chill" but at the same time, the school is really organised and they've got very good pastoral care (e.g. one on one meeting with your form tutor every other week.) There's also quite a big emphasis on extra-curriculars (Our clubs are starting this week and everyone's going to at least one).
There isn't so much in the way of "cliques". There are groups, but you can hang around with anyone and no one will tell you to go away.
Also the Year 13s are really nice. We've asked them for help with a variety of things and they're always so willing - and although we don't know them properly, they just all see really great and relaxed (they stay after school to play board games).
All I'll say about the work, is that it's hard (but not in all subjects). (This is coming from someone who's set 4 maths
) (but I know people in the other sets who struggle as well). They started us off with Further Maths in Core as opposed to C1. But they go at a pace which allows everyone to catch up and feel confident with the work. It's challenging, but not to the point where you're utterly confused and giving up (and the only subject I think people had/are having some difficulty in, is Core).
I don't know how helpful this is/if you want to know more, but feel free to message me at any point, or just reply to this with any other questions you have!!!
(Also, with regards to the exam, if you want more practice than just the practise exam, do some maths challenge papers).