Is this a loophole in private schools?

[namechangetoinvestigate]

Posting here for discussion.

I know a boy at a top private school in Edinburgh who currently has 25% extra time in written exams for slow handwriting. He's a normal academic achieving boy with no learning difficulties. The school has advised the parents that they are going to apply for extra time next year for all his exams, not just written exams.

It made me wonder, is it one of the reasons private schools are getting better results because normal academic achieving kids are getting awarded 25% extra time? That's a big advantage.

I know there's a lot of pressure for private schools to get the grades and wondering if this might be a loop hole they take advantage of, are private schools given privilege when applying for extra time in exams?

The child is in my extended family, so I know there's no other learning difficulties. This doesn't sit right with my conscience.

If the child is diagosed with something that qualifies for extra time they can get it - whether at a state or private schoool. However, in state school parents have to chase down the diagnosis and time themselves, in private/independent school they may help do that a bit more. That's the only difference. (Both my DS are in state school, both are 17, one has extra time due to a diagnosis).

@arethereanyleftatall
Yes, it is possible to get extra time (along with separate room, modified test papers, rest breaks etc) for the 11+

However, there is a lengthy form and strict criteria that you have to adhere to. They ask a series of questions and for certain data (such as evidence of processing speed or reading speed being behind that of their peers) and the local authority will decide what access arrangements are applicable.

It’s true that a qualified EducationalPsychologist will need to have made an assessment and that will form part of the evidence submitted to the exam board for consideration of access arrangements.

But bear in mind that access to EP time in a state school is very limited and schools will only be able to submit applications for EP time for those in the most severe need.

You can have an EP assessment done privately and that can also be submitted as evidence for the exam board. It is very expensive. So if you’re paying.......

So the refugee kids are frauds? What all of them, really? I guess I’d look a lot older than my age if I’d been through a war zone and fled my home with the clothes on my back.

And as for English WC kids being hard done by - I’m not buying that.

The percentage is going to be higher in private schools because as well as the likelihood of issues being picked up earlier in smaller classes etc in state schools those who are achieving OK tend to be overlooked due to those with significant needs.

Also a much higher percentage of parents are likely to be engaged with their child’s education and/or have the knowledge to push fir assessment or even care about it. At dss state school the school struggles to get some parents to take any interest in their children’s education.

Don’t most private schools have entrance exams? How would these children get in?

I know some have entrance requirements. I have no idea how many though. Most around where I live don't.

sexyfurrytigre

Wow, spot the poster with the massive chip on their shoulder 🙄

it doesn't sit right with me. But it isnt actually any of your business is it. I think the unreasonable thing here is if the child's parents are telling people about it, the child has a right to privacy.

Your op could easily describe my dd and another child in her year, both very high achievers, but both have difficulties writing, one has very messy writing and will be allowed to use a lap top and one who has undiagnosed dyspraxia making it take longer to write.

I don’t really see your issue. Exams are designed so there’s enough time to answer all the questions but if you do have a problem with writing this could be tricky. It’s not just something that’s done in private schools, it’s not a loophole, it happens in all schools.

It's not rocket science why private schools on the whole get better results. They have oodles more resources and aren't constrained in the same ways as state schools. They are paid to serve the individual pupil. They will have submitted evidence that this kid needed more time.

DC are at one of the Edinburgh private schools. It has a relatively high proportion of pupils with dyslexia. The school provides excellent support for children with dyslexia and quite a few parents choose the school for this reason. As a result, DS says there are a number of pupils in his year who get the extra 25% (not just for dyslexia obviously but it’s a big factor) but it’s absolutely not handed out willy nilly!

So DC may well be at the same school as the OP’s relative.

Refugee "kids" though they look like teenage boys to me Most teenage boys are kids aren't they, you know the 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 year olds.

Lol, having been to private school I can state that this isn't the case for the majority of pupils. Alls schools do this.

Both my DCs are at private school. They are all screened every year for dyslexia etc. It is NOT to improve their results. It's to ensure the children that need extra support receive it.

The parents have to pay for an ed psych assessment. But the extra support if needed is at no extra cost and there are sufficient resources for one to one help for as long as it's needed.

My DD benefitted from this enormously. I don't think she would have got the same support in a state school which is just down to resources. It is unfair though.

Sounds like the kid has dyslexia.

DS got extra time for some exams. He was assessed thoroughly by an Ed Psych who recommended this.

An outsider would not have been aware of his SN, but they were genuine.

I have two bright daughters, who went to a v academically selective independent school. Got through the selection tests ( and KS 2 tests) without any problem. When one was in year 11, the school suggested we had her tested for dyslexia. It turned out that she was indeed dyslexic (very poor working memory, and problems with processing). As a result, she had extra time for her GCSE, AS and A level exams.

The Ed Psych said the school had done really well to pick it up. Daughter was doing ok, had developed coping strategies over the years, but that as the work was getting harder, those strategies were no longer as effective.

I may be wrong but I suspect that in our local state secondary, no one would have noticed. They would have been concentrating on the borderline C/D students and wouldn't have noticed that she wasn't achieving to her potential.

My DS uses a laptop because he types at 140 WPM and he could never write that fast. Anyone can use a laptop. It doesn't have to be applied for. So much easier to move words round etc, correct the flow.

Bog standard state school

What is the point in screening someone for dyslexia "every year"? If they didn't have it at 7, they won't have it at 8, and vice versa. I know some people are diagnosed as adults but surely that is precisely because they didn't have screening as youngsters.

@namechangetoinvestigate
Other people have said this perhaps but to reiterate...the criteria for extra time are very strict and have become stricter. I used to be involved in this ( former teacher ) and can assure you no child gets extra time if they do not need it.

Slow handwriting can come under a diagnosis of dyspraxia and slow prpcessing (part of SpLD).

It's the discrepancy (when measured by a wide range of tests) between cognitive ability and handwriting speed that's the issue- not just someone who writes slowly.

The pupil needs to have a recognised history of needing extra time/ special needs along with a full assessment by an Ed Psych or SpLD trained teacher.

Slow handwriting per se is not an indication for extra time.
It's taken in the context of IQ/ verbal/ spatial ability.

My son in non private education got to type his exams due to handwriting issues. He didn't get extra time though and wasn't allowed to use spellchecker etc. He had undiagnosed dyspraxia (now diagnosed).

All DC should get the support required to level the playing field and I'm sure the child in question has been assessed. I expect that his assessment has shown that he needs extra time. Whether there was better parental support in pushing for it or smaller classes etc that meant he may have got access to support more easily, I don't know.

Mayday19 Sat 06-Jul-19 16:11:00
What is the point in screening someone for dyslexia "every year

Who says they do?

They aren't. An ed psych's assessment lasts for a number of years and the last I knew of it, the assessment was valid for 18 months before public exams. After that they could have a mini assessment, not the full one.

The reason for the time limit is that children can improve their reading, spelling and handwriting so that they close the gap between their cognitive ability and skills needed to answer questions in a time limit.

The schools have to apply to each exam board with evidence of the child’s difficulties

Each child to each exam board

That’s a lot of work

They don’t just dish it out

This BBC report makes interesting reading. Apparently 1 in 5 privately educated students gets extra time, far exceeding the percentage in state schools. Is this because they’re playing the system and know what to say and what hoops to jump through in order to gain the concession or are parents and teachers just a bit more aware of any perceived difficulty and seek help ASAP? www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/education-38923034