Private school pupils more likely than state school to get extra time in exams

[LattePatty]

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/lofqual-students-extra-time-exams-2024-25

Context: I have a GCSE age child in a state school who doesn’t need extra time and a younger child with SEN who probably will.

I heard this yesterday - 1 in 6 pupils get extra time in exams (which is more than I would have realised) and the proportion is HIGHER in private schools than state schools.

How can this be? I know there are some private special schools but the majority of private schools I know are academically selective. Are there really higher levels of SEN needing extra time in private schools vs state?

So what’s going on: Are private schools gaming the system? Are private school parents more able to pay for assessments privately? Something else?

We all know that private schools fees give the advantage of smaller class sizes and better facilities and maybe better teaching (moot point I think). But I certainly didn’t realise another benefit might be extra time in exams.

Click the link that lets you see only my posts because I explained this already.

ETA direct link www.mumsnet.com/talk/education/5451400-private-school-pupils-more-likely-than-state-school-to-get-extra-time-in-exams?reply=148834228

To make a level playing field? 🙄 If person A writes at speed N and person B writes at speed N/2, who has an advantage at exams?

Personally, I didn't get my children diagnosed to seek extra time! I sought them to aid understanding and give my children better experiences at school. I want them to enjoy education not be exam machines.

But if you have slow processing or difficulty reading etc it will help. My point is if someone who doesn't need it gets the extra time it really won't give them any tangible benefit.

You can’t game the system. There are lots of dyslexics in Indy schools in my experience as they are bright yet cannot cope/haven’t had their needs met in state schools

Ok, no need to roll your eyes. So it is desirable because it levels the playing field. The original poster implied there was no advantage on my reading. It sounds like the advantage is in levelling the playing field.

I work in a private school where kids are given extra time with SEN. Our provision is incredible and kids with extra time do their exams in an extra room or have a scribe to help them. A lot of the parents have paid privately to get diagnoses for their SEN child, so no, not playing the system.

Thanks for explaining that. So it sounds like the advantage is there, in that it allows children to access support. So there is an advantage in applying.

Not recognising ND by educational professionals is harmful, yes. It affects both learning and wellbeing.

We can only rely on your words here, maybe it's just your thoughts though you keep reiterating that it was hers and her colleagues' opinions 🤷‍♀️

Thank you. Other posters have explained the advantage is in allowing children to access support, and level the playing field. My reading of the original post was that there is no advantage in applying, which is why I asked.

‘Slow processing speeds’ is literally what you are testing for when you conduct AA assessments for XT.

You find these in people from the brightest to the other end of the spectrum.

Your mum is incredibly uninformed.

I think this is quite a stretch. Professionals are allowed to have opinions but my mum is a professional and her opinions wouldn’t affect her teaching. I think you’re conflating those two things.

I also think it’s interesting you haven’t addressed the point about harm being caused by parents putting a lot of pressure on their kids. I think all parents are doing their best but some can lose sight of the bigger picture when pushing their children academically.

‘Slow processing speeds’ is literally what you are testing for when you conduct AA assessments for XT.
You find these in people from the brightest to the other end of the spectrum.
Your mum is incredibly uninformed.

Echoing others. The SEN lead at DDs state school told me she didn't see any issues with my daughter and it wasn't worth her getting assessed. We changed schools. She has autism, ADHD and has now been medicated for years for mental health issues. She did get extra time because by then I had private diagnoses and she'd had regular appointments with her psychologist and psychiatrist who supported this. But that original SEN lead said they couldn't see any problems. I don't know how many other parents had been dismissed in this way and wouldn't have got that extra time.

I think you meant to quote me here.

There’s no need to be rude about my mum just because you don’t agree with her. I think it’s interesting that those children who already have the advantages associated with a private education are also over represented in this space. I think it’s naive to think some parents who have the means and inclination to secure advantages for their children in one area won’t do so in another.

Depends on how you define "advantage". If the definition is "a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favourable or superior position", then no it's not an advantage. NT pupils have an advantage (=superior position) without AA given to SEN pupils to level the playing field.

More pushy parents.

Ok. But the application means changing the status quo, at which the child is at a disadvantage because they cannot do the same thing in the same time as another child? So the advantage is in the change of circumstance?

Plenty of them about!

I don't believe for a second that viewing children as "geese" and thinking bright kids can't have slow processing does not affect everyday teaching, communication and interactions.

Teachers are not robots and their opinions do show in teaching.

Seeking assessments by the patents is not putting children under pressure 🤷‍♀️

Ok. It’s up to you what you believe but I’m sure you have had professional or other situations in which you’ve had to separate your opinions from your work or actions. That’s just life. Are you a teacher?

I think it depends on the motivation of the parents in seeking the assessments. As we seem to be speculating here, I think some will be doing it so their children have more time in exams, thinking that will help them secure the highest grades. The pressure on some children in private schools is so high, but the pressure isn’t coming from their teachers. It’s coming from their parents.

It doesn’t confirm that at all. It confirms that with more time you can do more work. That applies to everyone of all abilities. Plenty of non-SEN kids don’t finish exams in time. They’re not meant to be easy.

Sorry cannot quite follow your reasoning, are you using AI?

Changing status quo to level the playing field puts no one at an advantage. Their positions become equal, in theory. In practice, no AA can fully compensate for moderate to severe disability and NT pupils stay at an advantage so the whole debate is void really.

I am not being rude about your mum I am being factual.

I suggest she read the JCQ Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments guidance document available on the JCQ website.

My question was about the advantage of making an application. It seems to me from what you say that the advantage is in moving the child from the status quo, in which they’re at a disadvantage, to a situation in which they are on a level playing field. There is an advantage in making the application for the child, because they are no longer disadvantaged as a result of making the application.

Sorry if it’s not clear to you. I’m definitely not using AI.

Ok. I think it’s possible to relay facts in an objective way, without being rude.

It’s up to my mum and her school what training is offered and completed.