[senco-forum] Re: getting teachers to understand access arrangements

Subject: RE: [senco-forum] access arrangements - Rules for readers

Hello
  I have got my Year 11 pupils underway today on GCSEs too.  We had 12 pupils in with various access arrangements.  2 word processing, five with readers and scribes, one with a reader only, one being prompted, one with extra time only (meets the criteria for a scribe but can't manage it), three who are in with them because of panic attacks or medical problems.  There are are another two needing prompters who are in the main hall,  one more for a reader and scribe and one who is profoundly deaf so has a reader, scribe, use of BSL and an oral communicator.  If they all take the same exam, that is 14 in total our of year group of 115 or so.  However, I have been told that some public schools have 25% or their year group with access arrangements.
  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO
  Cornwall

WrayJanice Wray <jwwray14 at hotmail.com> wrote:
      P  {  margin:0px;  padding:0px  }  body  {  FONT-SIZE: 10pt;  FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma  }    I am just beginning a big push to make teachers realise that unless they a) identify children in Years 10 and 11 that are not on my support list EARLY - they will not get their access arrangements - I had 2 scribes for pupils whose reading the teachers can't read - not on my list so I was unaware and b) they must help out when they have loads of extra frees after the Years 11-12-13 go on leave - I can't do it all on my own with my tiny department and we find it hard to find outside people too.
If these pupils don't have their access arrangements we are letting them down, hopefully their parents will complain to someone, and they will not get the lovely results which reflect so well in teachers' results at the end of the year and in their performance management reviews
It's a hrd chore though - the exams officer and my department always manage it in the end but there's always this stupid panic
Janice.

Janice Wray Secondary SENCO, Herts

---------------------------------

> Subject: RE: [senco-forum] access arrangements - Rules for readers
> Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 11:40:40 +0100
> From: lucass at loretto.com
> To: amandavh at btinternet.com; sfawcitt at dsl.pipex.com; richard_cook at blueyonder.co.uk; Elizabeth.Haffenden at btinternet.com; senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
> CC: 
> 
> Tks -
> 
> In the midst of Exam Arrangements just now -
> 
> RS today - 3 readers - two invigilators and two rooms -
> 
> 
> 
> Plus preparation of emergency scribe for English -
> 
> Change of exam tier ..
> 
> 
> 
> Trying to get colleagues to understand the need for access arrangements
> - phew !
> 
> 
> 
> Here's one - I am just sooooooo busy that as of Sep (JCQ reg) I am
> stating that all exam access arrangements must be made via the exam
> officer (more clout?!) -
> 
> Anyone else do this??
> 
> 
> 
> Also, looking at evidence of need - hence looking at invigilators using
> the end of term exams for this - at end of exam if need extra time
> change colour of pen (was skeptical about this but does sound good) -
> 
> Then can check with Pupil List (SEN Reg) for Ed Psych reports etc and
> check out new pupils - trying to get a whole school approach and to get
> class teachers and HoDs to get involved -
> 
> Takes on some of the procedures of the Scottish System.
> 
> 
> 
> Stuart#
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> From: Amanda [mailto:amandavh at btinternet.com] 
> Sent: 16 May 2007 17:11
> To: Stuart Lucas; Sharon Fawcitt; Richard Cook; Elizabeth Haffenden;
> senco forum
> Subject: RE: [senco-forum] access arrangements - Rules for readers
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Stuart
> 
> We invariably work with one reader to one pupil as all except 1 of our
> candidates this year uses a reader and a scribe. You can't share
> scribes!
> 
> Yes we tell them to read the question more than once. If the candidate
> tells the reader they want them to read each question twice through that
> would be fine. As you say - we do what they tell us. 
> 
> Amanda
> 
> Secondary SENCO
> 
> Cornwall
> 
> Stuart Lucas <lucass at loretto.com> wrote:
> 
> Ah - I state -
> You are there to do what the pupil tells you -
> Are you saying that no other pupil reads the question more than
> once -
> As a Support teacher and a class teacher I recommend they read
> the
> question / text more than once ... need to read for meaning not
> for a
> 'made up rule' -
> Sorry -
> Stuart (both Scribe & Reader)
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
> [mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of
> Amanda
> Sent: 15 May 2007 20:33
> To: Sharon Fawcitt; 'Richard Cook'; 'Elizabeth Haffenden';
> 'senco forum'
> Subject: RE: [senco-forum] access arrangements - Rules for
> readers
> 
> Hello
> 
> For GCSE we work on the principle that we read the question
> once. We
> only read it again on request. This seems to fit the spirit of
> access
> arrangements that a reader should not give the pupil an
> advantage.
> 
> Is this the time to say I hate being a reader and a scribe?!?
> Keeping
> quiet while a pupil gets the answer wrong is torture!
> 
> Amanda
> Secondary SENCO
> Cornwall
> 
> Sharon Fawcitt wrote:
> >From JCQ guidance
> "2.2.2 A reader is a responsible adult who reads the questions
> to the
> candidate.
> This may involve reading the whole paper to the candidate or the
> candidate may request only some words to be read."
> 
> This does not suggest that candidates must request a reader to
> read. In
> fact it states it is someone who reads the questions to the
> candidate.
> This
> may be another one of those differences between GCSE and SATs.
> 
> Sharon F.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
> [mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of
> Richard
> Cook
> Sent: 15 May 2007 19:21
> To: Elizabeth Haffenden; senco forum
> Subject: RE: [senco-forum] access arrangements
> 
> My understanding:Access arrangements are valid for two years
> from
> approval.
> Therefore they are still entitled to a reader regardless of
> progress.
> 
> My view: A reader takes the stress of decoding away from the
> candidate.
> So
> even if they are 'coping adequately' with the reading a reader
> will help
> their understanding and their speed of reading. Therefore if
> they have
> readers agreed a reader should be provided. Shouldn't it?
> 
> Am interested in the view that the candidate doesn't have to
> request a
> question being read.
> 
> Richard
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
> [mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk]On Behalf Of
> Elizabeth
> Haffenden
> Sent: 15 May 2007 08:49
> To: senco forum
> Subject: [senco-forum] access arrangements
> 
> 
> I have some students who qualify for a reader when tested at the
> end of
> Year
> 9, but by the time they sit their GCSEs many of their teachers
> feel that
> they no longer need a reader and are coping adequately with
> exams.
> 
> Does anybody know what is my situation. At the moment I offer a
> reader
> to
> those who qualify for this access arrangement and if they do not
> want to
> take it up I leave the decision to them. However, if their
> teachers feel
> that in Year 11 in the classroom they are coping adequately
> without a
> reader
> can I, as the person responsible for access arrangements,
> withdraw this
> from
> them on the grounds that they are coping adequately in the
> classroom, in
> Year 10 exams and Mocks without a reader. My understanding is
> that the
> access arrangement should reflect the normal provision for the
> student
> in
> these situations.
> 
> Does anyone have any experience of this. I need to be standing
> on firm
> ground with regard to this. Many of our parents are quite
> vociferous.
> 
> 
> 
> --
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> 12:17
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Amanda
> Secondary SENCO
> Cornwall
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Amanda
> Secondary SENCO
> Cornwall
> 

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Amanda
Secondary SENCO
Cornwall