[senco-forum] Exam Access Arrangements

Talking of exam access arrangements, I've finally received a reply
from the JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) regarding their ban on
the use of 'Gel Pens' in examinations.

When I get a free moment I'll post the full text of their reply on
this forum. However suffice it to say at present their ban on gel pens
still stands, the reason given because 'gel ink can become transparent
when heated during the electronic (optical) scanning / copying
processes increasingly used by exam boards'.

However all is not yet as they've also stated they don't understand
why gel pens might be preferable for use by some students with SEN!
...kind of on the lines of "If we (the authority) are ignorant of the
problem then we don't have to address it, despite what the law says!

In the meantime it would help if as many SENCOs as possible could
start compiling lists of their SEN students who might benefit from
using gel pens.

Anyway more on this in a few days time. Right now I'm too busy caring
for my aged parents, one with Dementia and the other who's just been
admitted to hospital with a doctor-induced disease (far too much of
the wrong medicine!).

David Bowles