In August, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) released new guidelines for access arrangements which came into effect on the 1st September.
For pupils who require a reader in exams, the assessment evidence and completion of Form 8 is no longer needed, so long as having a reader reflects their normal way of working and that this can be evidenced by a school’s SENCO.
The JCQ guidance says: “The SENCO must produce a short concise file note on centre headed paper, signed and dated, confirming the nature of the candidate’s impairment and that the use of a computer reader and/or a reader reflects his/her normal and current way of working within the centre.”
The changes apply to pupils with learning difficulties too, not only those with dyslexia, so long as the SENCO is satisfied that a pupil has an impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect, giving rise to persistent and significant reading difficulties, and can paint a picture of this need. A computer reader/reader will be awarded on account of: cognition and learning needs; communication and interaction needs; a medical condition; sensory and physical needs, social, mental health and emotional needs.
The updated Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments 2019–2020 guidance can be found here.
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Intervention and SEN,
SEN