Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi is keen to ensure that all learners have access to the support they need to be successful in exams.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Equality Act 2010 requires an Awarding Body to make reasonable adjustments where a disabled person would be at a substantial disadvantage in undertaking an assessment.

A reasonable adjustment for a particular person may be unique to that individual and may not be included in the list of available Access Arrangements (see JCQ website).

How reasonable the adjustment is will depend on a number of factors including the needs of the disabled candidate/learner. An adjustment may not be considered reasonable if it involves unreasonable costs, timeframes or affects the security or integrity of the assessment.

There is no duty on the Awarding Bodies to make any adjustment to the assessment objectives being tested in an assessment.

Extra Time

There is an extended process of information gathering and application by the school which begins in Year 7, before the Joint Council of Qualifications can approve extra time for any candidate. 

This involves evidence collating in Years 7 and 8 and assessing for two different areas of speed of working in Year 9 which provides clear evidence of persistent and significant difficulties. 

Alternatively, a diagnosis for a specific type of disability such as ASD, ADHD, sensory impairment would justify beginning the application process.  In exceptional circumstances we could use a CAMHS/NHS referral/acceptance letter. However, such a diagnosis is not in and of itself sufficient for awarding extra-time. 

There needs to be clear evidence from a learner’s teachers, that having extra time is the learner’s normal way working in the classroom.  Extra time cannot be granted at short notice to any candidate before any set of exams.

Response to requests for separate room

We understand that some learners may experience feelings of anxiousness during exams, there is a classroom provided for pupils with similar difficulties away from the main hall.  All pupils accessing this class have provided documentation from a medical practitioner or CAMHS providing straightforward evidence of persistent and significant emotional difficulties. 

Special Consideration

Learners will be eligible for special consideration if they have been fully prepared and have covered the whole course but performance in the examination, or the production of coursework or non-examination assessment, is materially affected by adverse circumstances beyond their control. These include:

• Temporary illness or accident/injury at the time of the assessment;
• Bereavement at the time of the assessment (where whole groups are affected, normally only those most closely involved will be eligible);
• Domestic crisis arising at the time of the assessment;
• Serious disturbance during an examination;
• Accidental events at the time of the assessment such as being given the wrong examination paper, being given a defective examination paper or CD, failure of practical equipment, failure of materials to arrive on time;
• Participation in sporting events, training camps or other events at an international level at the time of the assessment, e.g. Representing their club or country at an international level for sport on the day of an examination;

Special consideration cannot be applied for if the learner was not able to develop their subject knowledge and understanding due to absence during the course, joining the course late or teaching and learning being disrupted by staff shortages, planned building work or lack of specialist facilities.

This documentation would need to be provided before a learner can access this support.  Please contact the ALNCo, Mr Dyfed James swyddfa@aberteifi.ceredigion.sch.uk if you feel your child meets the above criteria and needs support.

JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) guidance on access arrangements can be found at https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/