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Support for SENDCO: Access arrangements
Access arrangements are pre-examination adjustments for candidates based on evidence of need and normal way of working. Access Arrangements fall into two distinct categories: some arrangements are delegated to centres, others require prior JCQ awarding body approval.
On this page, you can find:
Access Arrangements
Access Arrangements allow candidates/learners with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access the assessment without changing the demands of the assessment. For example, readers, scribes and Braille question papers. In this way Awarding Bodies will comply with the duty of the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’.
For CYP with a visual impairment, please contact the Vision Impairment Service and for CYP with a hearing impairment, please contact the Hearing Impairment Service for advice on access arrangements.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Equality Act 2010 requires an Awarding Body to make reasonable adjustments where a disabled person would be at a substantial disadvantage in undertaking an assessment.
A reasonable adjustment for a particular person may be unique to that individual and may not be included in the list of available Access Arrangements.
How reasonable the adjustment is will depend on a number of factors including the needs of the disabled candidate/learner. An adjustment may not be considered reasonable if it involves unreasonable costs, timeframes or affects the security or integrity of the assessment.
There is no duty on the Awarding Bodies to make any adjustment to the assessment objectives being tested in an assessment.
Special Consideration
Special Consideration is a post examination adjustment to a candidate’s mark or grade to reflect temporary injury, illness or other indisposition at the time of the examination/assessment.
Resources
Forms - JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications
Regulations and Guidance - JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications
Help in exams for children and young people with SEND
2025 key stage 2 access arrangements guidance - GOV.UK
2025 optional key stage 1 tests access arrangements guidance - GOV.UK
Websites
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