[senco-forum] Access Arrangements

A problem for us too but it has got so much easier now that about 50% of
our students do BTEC Vocational science which is all coursework. The
numbers therefore for modular exams is reduced.  Our pupils also do BTEC
in most technology subjects so again the need for exam readers and
scribes is greatly reduced.

We leave support in for all pupils who will not manage e.g wheelchair
users with major difficulties; big behaviour problems and the most needy
but tell teachers (and the pupils) that they will miss some support on
that day.  As we usually give more support than is statutorily required
it is not a legal problem.

In addition if there are modular science exams they are set for a
particular day am or pm so it is possible to keep one group away from
the rest and do their tests as the others finish especially as they are
usually 20 minute tests.
We don't use outside people for this at all but if I am really desperate
I appeal to teachers and some usually offer to help.

I don't suppose this is much help now but maybe you could encourage the
school to look at BTec courses.

Barbara

-----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: 25 April 2008 06:09
To: senco-forum
Subject: [senco-forum] Access Arrangements

Hello everyone
  A perennial question - how are you managing to provide readers and
scribes for all of the pupils who are entitled to them in GCSE exams?
  This year, we are having a nightmare with the science assessments
because we have just under 20 pupils in Year 10 who are entitled to
readers and scribes for all the science modular tests and assessments.
Add to that the written GCSE exams and mocks over the next few weeks and
we have a situation where my TA team are never in their timetabled
classes.

  So - if you use TAs to read and scribe, how do you manage to support
all your statmented pupils in class AND provide the exam pupils with
their entitlement?
  If you use outside bodies to read and scribe, how do you train them?
How do you afford to pay them?
  Do you have a viable alternative?  Should I be looking at using
computer software?  If so, what hardware do I need to run the software
you use?

  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO
  Cornwall

Amanda
Secondary SENCO
Cornwall