PINNED to the wall in the revision corner of the secondary school library is a note by actress Beverley Sills.

It reads: "You may be disappointed if you fail but you are doomed if you don't try."

They are inspirational words for the 180 Year 11 pupils at Our Lady and St John Catholic Art College in North Road, Blackburn, currently contending with their gruelling GCSE exam timetable.

Like 15 and 16-year-olds across East Lancashire they were signed off on exam leave at the end of last week. It hails the start of a relentless few weeks of study that will probably top the 50 hour working week of the average adult.

Early morning alarms, study sessions, structured breaks to squeeze in every minute of cramming possible and worst of all -- turning down a night out with friends or a movie.

It means they are on their own on the final hurdle of a seemingly endless slog of course work, mock examinations, orals, practicals and revision which began in year nine.

Many students take between 10 and 12 GCSE subjects and that could mean anything up to triple the number of examinations.

Added to that are the pressures of adding the final finishing touches to course work which make it a very stressful time for pupils.

Over the last two years they have endured a testing timetable.

Year nine pupils are currently sitting SATS examinations in maths, English and science before making their GCSE choices.

They can expect course work for GCSEs to begin within days of rolling in for Year 10, topped off at the end of the academic year with some module exams.

By the beginning of year 11 there are more course work deadlines, module exams as well as work experience placements to squeeze in. And by December, GCSE mocks are being sat before the final exam timetables come through in Spring.

Needless to say by this time in May, it is time to start sitting the real things -- language oral exams and then up to two and three exams per day at the height of exam season in June.

According to deputy head teacher Father O'Carroll, the burden of examinations boarders on obsessive. The school organised GCSE mocks to be sat before the Christmas break to allow more breathing space.

He said: "Pupils are massively over examined. I went to four universities and never had to cope with the pressures and stress school children of today have to cope with. It is bordering on insanity."

But the Year 11 pupils at Our Lady and St John seem to have it all in hand thanks to the support of teachers, revision plans and lots of elbow grease.

Michelle Taylor, 16, has found the stress exhausting at times. "I can't wait for the results day when you know you did your best," she said.

Fellow pupil Laura Aspin, 16, has been given a little extra help via a special mentor scheme run by Blackburn with Darwen Excellence in Cities Programme. Her parents have also enticed success with a promise of £50 for every grade above C.

She said: "I have found it very hard to say no to older friends who are out that I am staying in and concentrating on study

Fifteen-year-old Tom Coyne is concerned about exam timetables. He faces the daunting prospect of up to three different exams in one day. "It is hard when five and a half years work hangs on one day," he said.