Exam provision information at Cowley

What are access arrangements? Who is eligible for access arrangements

Anyone with a diagnosed special educational need (or is under assessment) or disability may be eligible for access arrangements in public exams. They can also be considered for candidates with temporary injury.

If a candidate has a specific diagnosis, there is still a requirement to provide evidence of need and normal way of working before an application can be made.

There is no automatic entitlement to access arrangements for a student who is disabled or experiencing special educational needs. Each application has to be made on its own merit. For some students a reasonable adjustment may not remove their barrier to achievement, whereas for another student it may.

Access arrangements are intended to increase access to exams but cannot be granted where they will directly affect performance in the skills that are the focus of the test.

What info

What information is needed to make an application?

The information needed depends upon the access arrangement being applied for. Some arrangements require a specialist assessment by a level 7 qualified specialist assessor, whereas others require an assessment by other professionals, such as an occupational therapist.

The JCQ Regulations are updated every year at the beginning of each academic year and provide information regarding the evidence needed for each access arrangement.

It is essential that the application reflects the candidate’s need and normal way of working: i.e. if a candidate requires a reasonable adjustment within the classroom to access the learning environment, they will also need this adjustment to access an external exam.

Does an EHC Plan qualify a candidate for access arrangements?

No. The EHCP can be used as evidence for the requirement to implement access arrangements. However, as described above, the application must be based upon evidence of need, which would be determined by the specialists involved in the care of the candidate. This also involves evidence that this is the candidates usual way of working.

Who makes the decision over the arrangements to be made?

The SENCO is responsible for making the final decision. Where there has been a specialist assessment, the SENCO should consider the recommendations, but does not have to follow them. The application must be based upon need and normal way of working in the classroom, in addition to meeting the revised published criteria.

Am I able to pay for a specialist assessment?

Where there is an established relationship with the setting, the parents can be asked to pay for the updated assessment. However, if a parent commissions an assessment from an assessor who does not have a special relationship with the school, the setting do not have to follow the recommendations of this assessment. We would also need to have evidence that this is the candidates usual way of working. Parents are always advised to contact the school first, before commissioning an external assessment.

Can a setting charge for an exam arrangement?

No. An exam access arrangement is a reasonable adjustment under Disability legislation and is therefore put in place to support a protected characteristic, as a legal requirement. It is therefore illegal to request payment for something which is a legal requirement.

Policies

Word Processor Policy Autumn 2025

Access Arrangements Policy Autumn 2025