Extra time

[Justabitawkward]

My DD, in Year 7, had an entitlement to 25% extra time and it has been indicated to me by her head teacher that the only time she will be entitled to extra time will be in end of year exams but not in 'in class assessments'. I am right in thinking that if the 25% in tests is not documented as her 'normal.way of working' then she will not be entitled to extra time in her external exams in Year 10/11 and beyond. Notwithstanding that it would mean underperforming in every single class assessment.

It’s usual for extra time to be used for official exams. It will be formally applied for within a timescale for external exams.
Teachers should be aware of additional needs/ adaptations but for regular assessments extra time isn’t as easy to implement. Other adjustments could be made eg a scribe, use of IT or a quiet area.
Check with the SENCO re any concerns.

Dd often got her extra time for in class by arranging with the teacher to arrive a bit earlier / stay into break.

I'm not sure how time could be added to in class assesments. Other classes will need the classroom for the next period and teachers need a break if it falls on break time. End of year exams often take place in the hall and often not supervised by the teacher so it's not a regular lesson time slot as the timetable changes for exams allowing for extra time .

Extra time evidence in secondary schools is achieved by showing how the many mock exams that they sit are run not regular classroom work.

The requirement for extra time at GCSE etc is not measured by the normal classroom practice like it is in primary school.

In JCQ’s guidance the examples of normal way of working include:
“in the classroom (where appropriate);
working in small groups for reading &/or writing;
support lessons;
interventions strategies;
internal tests/examinations;
mock examinations.”

It isn’t always possible to offer extra time in class tests. Where it is possible, such as starting before &/or finishing after the lesson or at a different time, it should be offered.