Looking for the NatSIP Exam Access Guide?

The April 2022 Edition of Ensuring equal access to public examinations for candidates with sensory impairment can be found   folder here in the NatSIP Document Library.

To improve outcomes for children and young people with VI, RNIB, Ofqual, JCQ and individual exam boards have been working together to improve the availability of past papers for 14+ exams in accessible formats, including braille.

Updated information on sourcing past papers can be found on the RNIB website under the heading Modified past papers:

Access to exams and tests | RNIB

Students are to benefit from updated Ofqual guidance on how to make exams and other assessments as accessible as possible to all. 

The new guidance was published on 12 May, following a 12-week consultation, in which there was strong support from respondents, students and their representatives, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND):

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-ofqual-guidance-on-making-assessments-accessible-for-students

 

The 2021/22 JCQ regulations have been published and uploaded to the JCQ website. The document may be accessed via the BATOD website here:

https://www.batod.org.uk/2021-22-jcq-regulations-have-been-published

Ofqual (the exams regulator) have published a student guide to the awarding of qualifications and appeals processes this summer in England. There is also a BSL version and easy-read too.

Today we have published alternative formats of the student guide: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/student-guide-to-awarding-summer-2021

Please share with your members and networks.

NDCS also has its own, more summarised guidance for professionals here: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/blog/exams-coronavirus-info-for-professionals-supporting-deaf-young-people/

NDCS colleagues have updated their live coronavirus blog on exams. They have been updated to include the latest information on appealing grades. As before, they continue to highlight the important role of Teachers of the Deaf in advising on appropriate and accessible arrangements for any teacher assessments.

For families

https://www.ndcs.org.uk/blog/exams-coronavirus-info-for-families-of-deaf-children/

For professionals

https://www.ndcs.org.uk/blog/exams-coronavirus-info-for-professionals-supporting-deaf-young-people/

In exceptional circumstances an awarding body will produce modified versions of the sets of questions when approached by a centre and following a conversation with the centre.  The complexity of the subject will be another determining factor.

Below is a link to a JCQ document which provides guidance on the assessment arrangements this summer -

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/JCQ-Guidance-on-the-Determination-of-Grades-for-A-AS-Levels-and-GCSEs-Summer-2021.pdf

The JCQ has released a formal notice about the processing of access arrangement applications in the light of the Ofqual consultation on how qualifications should be awarded this summer.

You can read and download the statement through the BATOD website here:

https://www.batod.org.uk/processing-of-access-arrangements-applications/

A joint statement from NDCS, BATOD, RNID and VIEW on this summer's exams/assessments in England  has been sent to Ofqual for their consideration.  It sets out recommendations and these can be seen here: