Extra time taken away between mock and GCSE

[SURRYMUMMY]

Hi, DD is Dyslexic (takes after me) and has had extra time over the last few years for exams etc. Suddenly, without discussion, the school has said she now can't have extra time on physics as in her mock she hadn't got any extra marks in the time. DD had been in the hospital for three weeks prior and so hadn't been able to revise. This feels really unfair. Any advice? Can I ask the exam board?

As far as I understand it (teacher in an SEN secondary school) extra time is an all or nothing affair. She should have it in all her exams or none.

Schools have to jump through myriad hoops to award extra time in exams. One of the main things is that in similar tests, the extra time enabled the student to gain additional marks.

If she has extra time in every other subject, it won't be taken away in physics.

It would also be bad practice to be taking it away at this stage. Unless they hadn't tested her at the appropriate time?

I would imagine she was just warned that she need to use her extra time or it would/might be taken away.

Here is the JCQ guidance on examinations. The example it gives for additional time for dyslexia is where the student scored 79 in a standardised test of working memory.
If the score is above that, they will not qualify for extra time.

Sorry, didn't post the link!
www.jcq.org.uk/Download/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/regulations-and-guidance/access-arrangements-and-reasonable-adjustments-booklet

Is she in year 11? Is it possible they applied for access arrangements and it was rejected? I would contact the exams officer to clarify.

The claim for extra time has to be substantiated by teacher evidence as well as low processing speed etc. If she did not use the extra time it might be deemed unnecessary. Ds lost his in y11 when jcq changed the rules . Ironically it was restored at uni.

Thanks all, Don't think she was warned but will check. Clearly, it has stressed her out. I wonder whether the school has too many getting extra time and she was an easy one to pick on. I will speak to the exams officer

I honestly don't think it's a case if being 'picked on'. After all, schools do everything then can to ensure the best grades. Apart from break the rules.