Exams and Access
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.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
Working with specialist colleagues and families Seashell and NatSIP are pleased to announce the publication of a short guidance document about access for examinations for learners with MSI.
The document presents some guiding principles, key considerations and three case study examples. The case study examples are individual examples and do not represent standard arrangements, but rather what is possible if evidence and applications are submitted in accordance with JCQ guidance.
The return to school and the start of term brings with it preparation for the academic year ahead including examinations. Ensuring candidates with MSI have the access arrangements they need is not entirely straight forward, and is not always a case of applying those offered to candidates with a vision impairment or deafness - each learner is unique.
We hope this document will be useful to those of you supporting candidates with MSI.
Available in the NatSIP document library:
- Written by: Jane Sharp
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:
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
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
- Written by: Paul Simpson
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
- Written by: Martin McLean
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
- A British Sign Language (BSL) version: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZR3Blpi-naOyM7KgWbAxaHIzAT1zdksU
- In collaboration with Bell Foundation we have published an Easy Read version of the guide: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/student-guide-to-awarding-summer-2021/easy-read-student-guide-to-exams-in-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/
- Written by: Paul Simpson
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 -
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
Recent Ofqual letter about regrading assessments for formal and vocational qualifications:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-message-from-simon-lebus-chief-regulator-on-exams-in-2021
- Written by: Paul Simpson and Caireen Sutherland
NatSIP has today (17 September 2020) published an updated version of the document Ensuring equal access to public examinations for candidates with sensory impairment.
The updated version is available in the document library.
Available document:
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