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The increasing need for exam support in England has left schools struggling to cope with the demand. Figures from exams regulator Ofqual show that 625,000 adjustments were made to GCSE, AS and A-level exams over the past year, leaving many schools and colleges struggling to manage the logistical hurdles required to accommodate them all. The extra cost of hiring external exam halls when school buildings reach capacity, or hiring more invigilators to monitor the exams, can place extreme pressure on schools to cover the extra costs.
The increase in support for exam students is hugely beneficial, however, it is leading to financial and logistical problems for many schools. Many favour a more “holistic approach” as students will perform better in exams, and said the access arrangements are “tailored to each student” to ensure exams reflect how they learn in the classroom. But with more students needing rest breaks and exams sat in smaller rooms, for example for those with dyslexia, schools will need to hire additional invigilators to help them, which can add even more costs at a time when school budgets are being squeezed.
For students to be granted exam access arrangements, schools and colleges are required to share detailed evidence with qualified assessors, who evaluate each student’s requirements. Some students benefit from one adjustment, while others require many. The total number of approved access arrangements has increased by 39.6% in the last three years, with 625,000 approved arrangements in schools and colleges in England last year. This is a 12.3% rise on the previous year at a time when the number of students sitting exams in the same period rose by only 5.6%.
The additional expense of assistive technology, such as read and write software and exam reader pens, is also a concern for schools. These tools can cost hundreds of pounds each and, when considered in combination with the cost of additional invigilation, the mounting total can be a significant burden for schools and colleges which are already under strain. However, students and some school staff believe the benefits far outweigh the negatives
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