[senco-forum] Extra time at GCSE

This is what I do to be as sure as I can that everything is fair as I  can 
make it. I used to be in state comps, am now in a selective independent  where I 
am myself finding more well-compnestade SpLDs (often at A-level)  when coping 
strategies break down. I need
- evidence that there is a need (which you have)
- evidence that the student would be disadvantaged if no extra allowance  made
- history of need - I agree with amanda, there will have been concerns  at 
points by someone and we can't double disdvantage a person because the need  was 
so relatively mild and they have previously apparantly managed (think of the  
swan paddling furiously below the water)
- give an open time allowance in mock exams (or other assessments) and ask  
student to note the time they need and why. I find they are very honest about  
this.
- then I ask each subject teacher to say how much time they think the  
student needs for their subject (because the format of the exams differs so much  
and makes different demands on different skills) and why. I expect the teacher  
and pupil to have a dialogue about this and the teacher to have observations 
and  pofessional understanding of that pupil. We do all this before a parents 
evening  so that parents can have a chance to talk about each recommendation
This all seems very complicated but it isn't really and we end up with a  
situation that everyone feels is fair. The exam inspector last year was  
impressed that we are one (apparantly) of the few schools who don't just  
automatically give the full 25% for everything. That would be much easier but  our way I 
think ensures no-one feels anyone could have been unfairly  advantaged.
I really do think the student him or herself is the person who needs to be  
listened to (as well as helped to know how best to use the extra time) 
Hope this helps
trish