EHCP exams
EHCP exams
Exam candidates who have difficulties and disabilities possibly may qualify for access arrangements in GCSE and A Levels with a EHCP.
They include but not exclusively : Extra Time Computer access A scribe A writer The legal act stems from the Equality act 2010.
‘disabled’ within the Equality Act means an impairment which has a long-term effect.
If the Exam candidate fits this disabled criteria.
The responsible body of the exam centre has a duty not to discriminate against that exam candidate to comply with the Equality act 2010. Along with the examination board like AQA has a duty to make sensible 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 exam centre decide who qualifies for help?
The school decides whether this support is needed by reference to rules laid down by the Joint Council for Qualifications (“JCQ”) on behalf of the exam boards, overseen by Ofqual.
For each type of arrangement, must be met for the pupil to qualify. The JCQ inspects exam centres for the evidence requirements are followed.
The evidence from teachers, tutors and education physiologists. The exam centre could carry out assessments for reading, , comprehension, spelling and processing speed.
Education, health and care (“EHCP”) plan or a report from a educational psychologists may well run along side.
None of this automatically entitles a pupil to access arrangements without collaborative work from school.
It is sensible the exam centre applies before the exam candidate begins the exam course.
Start with speaking to the senior management team of the exam centre. Understand you need to show evidence.
The most suitable evidence will be they have had help in the past.
The initial EHCP may need to added to as it doesn’t give the exam centre a legal obligation on the school.
if the EHCP statement illustrated that help is needed. It will be a key evidence that this is how the exam candidate normally works.
The challenge maybe that there is not enough evidence for ‘normal way of working’. Perhaps because the exam candidate is not well known at the school. Or even the need for a ECHP has only recently become apparent.
If the exam centre refuses
If the outcome is the exam centre refuses to put on the access arrangements in the EHCP. The Governors may need to have a formal complaint written to them. Asking for their compliant’s policy while considering claiming disability discrimination under the equalities act 2010.
