Access arrangements (use of laptop) for independent school entrance exam

[jennylamb1]

My Y4 son is on-target academically, and working at greater depth in reading. He has been diagnosed with Aspergers and I strongly suspect has dyspraxia too. An occupational therapy assessment highlighted difficulties around motor planning and balance, and his handwriting is also poor, which seem to fit the profile. At school, for extended writing he uses a laptop as a usual way of working and in recent assessments he had a scribe. I am looking at applying for a place at a local independent school for secondary, which has a good reputation and has good pastoral care for those with additional needs. I asked about access arrangements for the entrance exam, however the school has advised that they don't offer laptops for children with writing difficulties so that they can fully assess the child's needs and so that it is a 'level playing field.' This does stick in my craw a bit, since access arrangements are designed to ENSURE that there is a level playing field for those with disability surely? I would have thought under the Disability Act, this would be an example of a 'reasonable adjustment?' I haven't queried it as they are selective, and I would ultimately like my son to go there, and don't want to reduce his chances by becoming a problem parent, however I am bemused. What do others think?

I would rethink your choice of school tbh

Have you spoken to the SENCO?

My DS is dyspraxic and recently did entrance exams for several independent senior schools. All of them either allowed him a laptop or gave extra time. How selective is the school? Is it hard to get into? If so I think it is worth pursuing this with them as he'll be at a significant disadvantage to the other candidates.

I was told that my DD might benefit from having a laptop while taking her entrance exams to secondary school. Her teacher told me that I would have to get an Educational Psychologist write up a report about my DD (she has "dyslexic tendencies") which would include any special considerations the secondary school may need to take for when she takes her entrance exam.

I second AveEldon. If this is their attitude towards this, it is not the right school for your DS. My son's Indy have positively embraced and supported his SEN, and encouraged him to use a laptop. The difference to his confidence and realusation that 'I'm not thick ' as experienced at his previous school is incredible. I would urge you to look at other independents. Sadly, there just isn't enough money in state secondaries at the moment to properly support all SEN needs

Thanks for peoples thoughts. I am going to make an appointment to see the SENCO after GCSES have finished I think. I would presume that they allow students to use laptops in class since they offer touch-typing training as part of learning support. My issue is more around the lack of access to a laptop for the entrance exam. The entrance exam is described as an 'entrance assessment,' rather than having to be passed in order to attend. So it's not selective in that sense. My son's handwriting can be fairly illegible though, so having to do a 30 minute essay will be a real challenge. I want to avoid the frustration and stress that writing by hand can cause him, and also, frankly, he could be eligible for a scholarship if they can read his work, since he is bright. He wouldn't be getting any adult help just providing an accurate reflection of his ability if given access to a laptop.

Most will have a requirement for a Ed psychologist report undertaken recently (18 months prior to entry so in year 5) to have extra time or other adaptations. However, some schools will not allow adaptations or extra time if the report states it for their entrance exam - I work at such a school. However the Ed psychologist report is taken into account when reviewing the entrance exam papers.

DS in year 5 st a prep school and has hypermobility with impacts his hand writing. The school have encouraged that at school he continues to handwrite his essays. We have a educational psychologist assessment this term, huge expense and probably not really needed except for the 11+ process.

My advice is get an educational psychologist assessment in year 5 that states he needs a computer but it's no guarantee he will get one but it shouldnt count against him.

When we were looking at schools for DD some refused to allow extra time for the entrance exams as the access rules can change.

Kids need reassessing around yr 9 and some lose the access arrangement. So some schools only want the kids to use access arrangements once its been confirmed that they can use them for GCSE as taking arrangements away can be horrible.

I'm assuming the dyspraxia would have to be confirmed, and the motor skills issues reassessed? The Aspergers diagnosis might provide other options for support as that's not going to change.

Just be sure you like their approach to SEN, it can vary wildly.