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College haven't applied for any extra time in A levels!

9 replies

mazarineblue · 17/03/2017 21:58

DS sitting the first part of his A levels in may (as syllabus is the "old" style for his subject). He has dyspraxia and got extra time for all his GCSEs. When he enrolled we spoke to learning support who noted he'd probably require extra time as a slow processor etc, and we left it that they'd contact his old school for his SEN notes and start the ball rolling. We heard no more, today DS got an email saying deadline for access arrangements had passed, and they could take no action to even apply for extra time! He's had no emails or message sent since induction (when he and I specifically dropped in to see learning support to request extra time) asking him in for an assessment or asking for more details. We (parents) have also heard nothing. Now he's so stressed, surely this can't be normal? Can anyone suggest what we should do?

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MaisyPops · 17/03/2017 22:05

Thats really crap.

Im guessing this is a separate 6th form or FE college from what youve put there. Often they make it the students responsibility to apply through their support team. In colleges often its not about parents and the student is the main driver etc. E.g. they get given info about student support / disability services and take it from there.

In schools that have a 6th form attached the school are more proactive and parents more involved.

Sounds like a systems mix up which is annoying. Though to get access arrangements you/school/college have to prove thay extra time (or other arrangements) are the normal working pattern for the student. Surely youd have known that DC wasnt getting access arrangements in class and that would have been a warning sign.

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mazarineblue · 17/03/2017 22:16

Yes, maisypops, sorry it is an FE college. However they have a SEN system whereby I get advance notice of parents evenings etc (non SEN students parents don't). I heard nothing about extra time via that. We also have a general parent Portal where we can see all marks, lates ,absences etc-again heard nothing. I even went to parents evening and mentioned dyspraxia to every tutor a month or so ago! Just venting here, sorry! Just find it hard to believe they'd let something like this slide unless a student with known organisational issues chases it up!

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Whatishappenin · 17/03/2017 22:31

I process exam arrangements in an FE college. They can still assess your son and apply for extra time even though the deadline has passed. I would email the Learning Support department and copy in the principal and your son's teachers/tutors. Ask why your son wasn't contacted before the deadline and why you weren't contacted. If they won't budge, they could offer your son a laptop to type his exams as they don't have to apply to the exam board for that kind of exam arrangement.

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mazarineblue · 17/03/2017 23:00

Thanks whatishappenin, that is really useful to know. I've already emailed the SEN dept but i will cc in the head and take it from there. So frustrating when it was a hard enough job just getting him through GCSEs last year!

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Whatishappenin · 18/03/2017 06:38

Take along any information you have about your son's diyspraxia and emphasise that they are putting him at a substantial disadvantage in the exams and should make reasonable adjustments for him according to The Equality Act (2010). He should be getting extra time in all his mocks as well. Good luck.

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afinetoothcomb · 18/03/2017 06:58

Because of his dyspraxia they could give him rest breaks rather than extra time. You don't have to apply for rest breaks. During the exam he can ask for a break. They will take the paper away and stop the clock. This will give him thinking time. When he's ready to continue he will get the paper back and the click starts again. Have a look at the JCQ website.

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mazarineblue · 20/03/2017 13:12

I've emailed college mentioning fact he got extra time in all his GCSEs (from the JCQ website it looks as if this "tracks through"to feeder FE colleges?), he has been given-and used- extra time in all his mocks to date,he has not been contacted to fill in any more forms etc, and we specifically said he'd like to access extra time as a reasonable adjustment when he enrolled-in fact i went with him to enrolment to ensure they noted this on system! Have i missed anything? Cannot understand why they'd wait until now to say simply not possible.
No response to me-but apparently learning support want to meet him today to discuss. Not optimistic though as JCQ website seems V clear that late application s can't be made ....

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Whatishappenin · 20/03/2017 14:21

The college can use the documentation from his old school, but have to apply for the extra time again. Hope they sort something out for him.

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mazarineblue · 01/04/2017 09:24

Just updating- he's been granted extra time, for rest of his time in college,hurrah! Just in time for his first AS levels in May so relieved. College have said though he needs to apply for another formal diagnosis by end of the academic year which makes me feel we are going round in circles- college have again only communicate d this to him, not us so it's all very vague.....

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