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Help in Exams and Statutory Tests

Three people standing, one person sat in a chair and one person sat in a wheelchair, around a table. One of the children is wearing ear defenders.

Overview

Pupils who have learning difficulties and disabilities may qualify for help in exams. This is known as access arrangements. This includes during public examinations and national curriculum tests. This is commonly known as Standard Assessment Tests, or SATS. Access arrangements allow learners with SEND or temporary illnesses to show skills and knowledge.

SEND is a shorter term for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

The most common arrangements include:

The exception for this are exams that specifically test these skills, such as English. There are other possible arrangements for pupils with other difficulties. This includes visual or hearing impairments.

Access Arrangements allow learners with SEND or temporary injuries to access the assessment. This is without changing the demands of the assessment. Evidence must be provided in order for Access Arrangements to be agreed. This should show that the need and normal way of working of the learner meets the criteria for the access arrangement.

If the evidence highlights the need for access arrangements, the school has a duty not to discriminate against that learner. This is the responsibility of the school body. The bodies are the board of governors or the proprietor in the case of an Academy. The examination board has a duty to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate for that pupil’s disability. This is a legal duty set out in sections 85 and 96 of the Equality Act 2010.

How Will the School or College Decide Who Qualifies for Help?

The school decides whether there is a need for this support. They do this by referring to the guidance and rules set out each year. 

Key stage 1 and 2 National Curriculum Tests

For each type of access arrangement the Standards and Testing Agency set evidence requirements. The pupil must meet these requirements to qualify. The school can then apply when the application window opens. Schools are moderated to ensure the evidence requirements are followed. The rules set are updated each year.

Secondary school and college examinations 

For each type of access arrangement, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) sets evidence requirements. The pupil must meet these requirements to qualify. The JCQ inspects schools to check that the evidence requirements are strictly followed. The JCQ rules are lengthy and detailed. The rules are updated every year.

The rules can be seen on the JCQ website:

When a school believes that a pupil may need access arrangements, it should gather the necessary evidence of need from class teachers. Evidence can also be sought from:

The school may need to carry out assessment tests. This can include reading, spelling, comprehension, writing or processing speed.

Documents may be supportive but do not automatically entitle a pupil to access arrangements. They may also need corroborative evidence from the school. Documents may include:

The school should apply for permission to put the access arrangements in place. This should be for all assessed parts of the course, not only the final exam. It is best if the school applies before the pupil begins the exam course. The SATs arrangements publication outlines the window of application for access arrangements. This is the case for Key Stage 1 (KS1) and KS2 SATs.

How Do I Explore the Possibility of Access Arrangements for My Child?

The first step is to speak to the class teacher and SENCo. SENCo is a term for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.  You can discuss what your child needs, and if appropriate, when and how this can be applied for.

You can also discuss any evidence that you could use to support the need for access arrangements. Be prepared to show evidence that there is a need for the help. The best evidence will be the fact that the child or young person has needed, and received, help of this kind in the past. For example, if they have:

If you have any other evidence, this is important supporting evidence. Evidence can come from reports that set out the child or young person’s difficulties that mean they need help in class or with tests.

If the child or young person has an EHCP then this may strengthen your request. It doesn’t create a legal obligation on the school to arrange this extra help with exams. However, if the EHCP specifies help with reading texts, this will be important evidence that this is how the child or young person normally works. It also shows that they are going to need the same kind of support to do their best in public exams.

It may be that there is not enough evidence that an access arrangement is the child’s ‘normal way of working’. This may be because:

It may be in your experience (and your child’s) that they are only able to show their full potential when given the necessary support. If this is the case, you should ask that the school carries out the relevant assessment tests. This will then allow them to make an application for the access arrangement.

Additional Help and Support

Amaze SENDIASS

Amaze SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) are a local charity. They offer free, independent, and impartial advice for all matters relating to SEND. Contact Amaze SENDIASS by:

Visit the Amaze SENDIASS web page.

East Sussex Local Offer directory of services

You can visit our SEND-specific online directory, hosted on East Sussex 1Space. The directory lists many different services both throughout the county and online. Services cover many topics, including:

Visit the East Sussex Local Offer directory.

NHS - Health A to Z

The East Sussex Local Offer aims to provide as much information as possible. There may be some conditions that aren't covered in thorough detail. The NHS website has pages that list all conditions. These pages provide information and advice on how to get extra support:

Visit the NHS Health A to Z web page.

Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms

We explain some of the terms used on this website on our page, Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms.

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