Pupils in independent schools much more likely to get extra time in exams

[Sadik]

Don't know if others have seen this - article here.

What I don't think is at all obvious is whether it's independent schools working the system, or state schools failing to get extra time for those who need it?

My Ds is dyslexic. He was at an independent school. I do not think they "played the system" but what helped was us getting an independent Ed Psych report which made a difference between him getting extra time in public exams ( i.e. GCSE / Alevel) or not and also helping with the school letting him have a "normal way of working" ( in his case using a laptop and extra time) running up to his exams. This obviously cost us money ( i.e. the reports). I am somewhat sceptical, having seen the assessments Ds has been through, that DCs could fake needing extra time. The assessments are quite rigorous. Also I can't believe any Ed Psych who values their reputation would fake a test. That said if you can afford a private Ed Psych report and the school will accept it , then that helps BUT these things are approx £400 a pop as far as I recall.

Re a pp who said that some end up at University dyslexic. My DS had to have a post 16 report for university ( he actually did it the summer before he went) but once accepted , the university refunded the cost of it. It was organised initially through SFE but I think ultimately DSA ( So tick the disability box on the UCAS form which you need to do for dyslexia) snd that gets the process going Probably a little early for some posters but worth bearing in mind if it helps.

I invigilate exams (in a state school). There is a limit to the number of access arrangements that one student can have and the rules seem to be being tightened up all the time.
You can either have extra time or rest breaks (but not both) for example.
or state schools failing to get extra time for those who need it?
Extra time doesn't necessarily benefit all the pupils who would qualify though. Many who met the criteria in previous years didn't actually use it and often had completed all they could manage in a relatively short period of time. The pupils who seem to benefit most from extra time seem to be those with additional needs who are above average academically.
Many pupils benefit more from other access arrangements such as having a reader or prompter or using a laptop rather than extra time and the school therefore seems to be finding which areas would help individuals the most rather than concentrating on extra time.
As others have said though simply having dyslexia or being slow processing may not mean pupils qualify for extra time - there are limits to the test results at which pupils qualify and not all pupils who are tested would necessarily meet these criteria.

and the rules are much tougher and in my view a bit unfair now than when my older children applied....