Dreadful handwriting concern...

I would guess that the typing has had an effect on his handwriting. I can type pretty fast and it's much easier for me to type than to write, but as I've just started an OU course, I think I'm going to have to practise handwriting.

DC's school has just gone over to a new type of GCSE with much more writing in the exams. They said they are going to get the DC to practise this as they're not used to writing for two hours which is what some of the final exams will be. Normally it's only about 45 mins. You have to work up to that.

I have a bit of the same problem with DS2. I just need to get him (and me) to knuckle down and practise!

No teachers can't spot the difference. Only an OT could.

An assessment could take a while to organise though - ds had an 18 month wait for an NHS OT - by which time your ds could be well into his GCSE studies. If you can get one done before your return (and if you have private healthcare it shouldn't be that difficult) or have a letter of support from the current school at least then you have starting point to argue with in the meantime. Otherwise I fear you will come up against resistance and scepticism.

Don't threat to much my hand writing horrible, DHs is worse still and our exam markers managed.
Seriously my uncle spent years marking A level history scripts and he said they only ever had one that no one could read (sometimes bad ones got passed round to different markers until someone could read them)

To be honest, if his writing is as bad as you describe - he should be allowed a laptop, but i just wanted you to know that what should happen isn't always what does happen, unfortunately.

And of course it'll still be an issue for subjects like maths, I know some schools have been trialling electronic papers - but I don't know if they're actually in use yet.

Schools generally don't let pupils bring in their own laptops. At least I've never been in one that does and it's against LEA rules here.

Which is why there has to be a specific need - because you're asking for school resources.

In theory it should be as simple as he'd benefit from it so he can use one, but that's not how it actually works.

tabulah, I think the OP's DS would have a laptop. She hasn't mentioned this as being a problem.

Yes, for any access arrangement, you have to need it in lessons before you can have it in exams. This is a key principle.

'My DS13 has really bad handwriting ,to the point that I can't understand 70% of it!'

Don't despair OP, I can see a potential medic in the making. . . .

I can never read any of my or the family doctors' handwriting.

My son was assessed at the beginning of year 9 by the SENCO. Given a timed handwriting test and then using a laptop. Also the test rpoved his spelling is affected when he writes cos so much effort is going into the writing that he loses his train of thought etc. This was not so much to do with whether it was legible but how much he could write and the content.

He got permission to use a laptop in class and this automatically led to use of it at GCSEs. He just moved to a sixth from college and this permission ends in december. However, new rules as stated above mean they do not have to reassess him - SENCO said that use of laptop in class now means that they just fill out a form for him to use in exams. But you can't just turn up and expect to be able to use a laptop in an exam.

Also not sure what rules apply for illegible handwriting. Original testing of DS2 was needed to prove that use of laptop would not put him at an unfair advantage over the others. His speed of writing was so much below average that he needed to type just to be level.

Yes but to have evidence of their use in school, they need to be using one in school and to get access to one in school you have to have an actual need for one.

That's not impossible, but it's not a case of - my DS has terrible writing, can he have a laptop please?

The reasons for using a laptop in lessons will be the same as for exams.

The access arrangements have changed in the last year where to show a need for extra time, scribe/reader, and laptop in exams, you have to have evidence of their use in lessons and in school exams.

Illegible handwriting is something that will impede a student from reaching their full potential, so it is not a case of demonstrating a medical need, or whatever. If the examiner can't read their scripts, then they need an alternative method of completing them.

Then he's currently Year 8 age, entering Year 9 next September. They start to drop subjects in year 9 ime.

It's nowhere near as straightforward as - they use a laptop in lessons so they can use one in the exam. There needs to be a reason they're using a laptop.

If you think it might be partly because of his grip, try putting a pencil grip on his pen, or a shaped pen

Can you find an private OT ? Are you sure he'd only be year 8, if he is already 13 then he'd be Year 9 next September, or even Year 10 if he turns 14 in the meantime. You choose GCSE options late in year 9 so can focus a little more and can drop weaker subjects but not sure what you mean about taking up more vocational studies. The curriculum hasn't really evolved that way yet until 16+ although plans are afoot for earlier, but he may be able to do DT, Art, ICT , Drama, Music, PE etc at GCSE depending what the school offers, alongside traditional English, Maths, Science (2 or 3). language etc. Cricketballs, I have a 13yo in Year 9 and very am doubtful he would be affected by any such changes.

sorry hit post too soon!

In terms of the time for changes, the GCSE/vocational changes are going to affect all year 9 students within 2 years of the change in policy

Lizs; but it is down to the government about educational changes and they can put pressure on the exam boards.....