Writing speed for exams

[whiteboardking]

My DC are both slow writers and this seems to have got worse in high school as they don't write much - homework is all typed or on Aps etc. My Yr7 is painfully slow. I'm increasingly wondering how on Earth they will manage writing fast enough in exams which I remember needing to do to get everything answered. Am I concerned for no reason? I almost never see them writing at home.

Have they had any SEND screening for any cause of this slow processing?

They can be tested for ‘access arrangements’ and, if a need identified, they can be given extra support in exams such as a scribe, a word processor, extra time, a prompt (someone prompting them to keep going if they seem to zone out).

I wouldn’t expect this access arrangement testing to happen in Y7 though, it normally happens much later (year 10 often). Your child would also need to go on SEND register at school if they were awarded access arrangements.

I think you need to discuss with SENDCO though about your concerns, not just for their exams but for them accessing the curriculum throughout the next 5 years.

No SEND for one. Other had adhd so will get a bit more time. Both Exceeded exp in SATs.
They literally just can't write fast neatly so someone else can read it

Can they use a laptop?

DD (Y10) has had one since Y6 (dyslexia, ADHD and hypermobile fingers) and uses it in all classes and exams.

As long as it is their normal way of working then no issue to type exam papers.