Access Arrangements

Aims

• Provide an overview of access arrangements
• Explain the role of invigilators
• Cover the regulations of particular access arrangements

Equality Act 2010

• Duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates who would be at a substantial disadvantage

Definition of disability

• Physical or mental impairment
• Long term
• Substantial adverse effects
• Impact on normal day to day activities

Examples

• Extra time (25%)
• Reader
• Scribe
• Prompter
• Supervised rest breaks
• Word processor

Process

• Student is identified to SENCo
• SENCo assesses need based on evidence
• Access arrangements approved/confirmed
• SENCo informs Exams Office
• Exams Office organise arrangements for exams and assessments

Principles

• Must reflect a candidate's normal way of working
• May differ from subject to subject
• Cannot be applied where it would compromise the objectives of the assessment
• Can be combined

Role of invigilators

• Ensure that access arrangements are put in place
• Act as facilitators

Extra time

• 25% (50% - rare)
• Speed of processing
• Subject to specialist assessment
• Supported by evidence from medical professional
• Seated at back of exam room

Supervised rest breaks

• Appropriate for range of needs
• Requested by candidate
• Exam is paused and re-started when candidate is ready
• Candidate must not have access to the question paper
• No maximum time limit. SENCo guideline is max 3 x 10min in 1 hour

Word processor (laptop)

• Microsoft Word template with spell and grammar check disabled
• No internet or network connection
• Work saved to USB stick
• Student and stick accompanied to Exams Office where work is printed
• Invigilator completes cover sheet

Separate invigilation

• Can be small group or 1-to-1
• Range of needs
• Exams conducted as normal
• Invigilators should be aware that candidates may have social, emotional and mental difficulties

Reader

• Read questions and instructions only
• Read at candidate's request
• Can repeat or read back answers if requested
• Cannot explain, define, decode or assist candidate in any other way

Scribe

• Write, type or draw exactly what the candidate says
• Can change answers if asked
• Can read back what has been written
• Cannot explain or advise in any other way
• Invigilator must complete cover sheet

Prompter

• Assist students who have difficultly focusing or paying attention
• Use verbal prompts
• Cannot assist in any other way

Practical assistant

• Assist candidates with physical or sensory impairments
• Perform tasks exactly as instructed
• Not used in tasks where practical skills are assessed
• Invigilator must complete cover sheet

Keep a record

• Record use of access arrangements in log book
• Serves as evidence of normal way of working

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