Exam support and a question of resources?
by Sejan
Trinity School’s head of learning support has offered reasons for the difference in numbers of students getting extra time in state or independent schools.
The BBC reported last month that one in five students in independent schools has access to extra time in exams, compared to just one in eight in state schools.
Mrs Sandra McDonald, Trinity’s Head of Learning Support, says that exactly the same rules apply for state and private school students. But schools like Trinity is just picking up more students because of the extra time and resources in the independent system.
Mrs McDonald said that schools like Trinity train their designated "Senco" member of staff to a level 7 qualification with associate membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA).
"This means that I can carry out in-house assessments myself, which will last the students until they leave Trinity," she said.
"In the state sector, some schools have to rely on an external Educational Psychologist who is only able to visit and assess at specific times.”
Alternatively, the Senco could also be a form tutor or a Head of Department who has not got enough time to devote to students with special educational needs, she said.
The BBC reported last month that one in five students in independent schools has access to extra time in exams, compared to just one in eight in state schools.
Mrs Sandra McDonald, Trinity’s Head of Learning Support, says that exactly the same rules apply for state and private school students. But schools like Trinity is just picking up more students because of the extra time and resources in the independent system.
Mrs McDonald said that schools like Trinity train their designated "Senco" member of staff to a level 7 qualification with associate membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA).
"This means that I can carry out in-house assessments myself, which will last the students until they leave Trinity," she said.
"In the state sector, some schools have to rely on an external Educational Psychologist who is only able to visit and assess at specific times.”
Alternatively, the Senco could also be a form tutor or a Head of Department who has not got enough time to devote to students with special educational needs, she said.
Dyslexic students are often given extra time to complete exams. The three main issues for dyslexic students are that they may read more slowly, may take longer to remember information and words, and they may write more slowly.
“None of these have to do with intelligence,” Mrs McDonald said, so it doesn’t affect their potential ability.
Money is a big issue in other ways. Assessments are expensive and state schools are often struggling with costs. The forms that need to be filled in cost a lot of money and cannot be photocopied. Trinity has also been able to invest in screening material which has helped identify students in need.
“None of these have to do with intelligence,” Mrs McDonald said, so it doesn’t affect their potential ability.
Money is a big issue in other ways. Assessments are expensive and state schools are often struggling with costs. The forms that need to be filled in cost a lot of money and cannot be photocopied. Trinity has also been able to invest in screening material which has helped identify students in need.
A student who speaks so well and addresses complex topics with intelligence and insight, stands out even more when the essay they hand in is not of the same standard.
Mrs McDonald added that in a school such as Trinity, specific learning difficulties can also be "emphasised by contrast." In other words, when the majority of students are extremely fast, able workers; the child who works slowly with poor spelling stands out far more.
"A student who speaks so well and addresses complex topics with intelligence and insight, stands out even more when the essay they hand in is not of the same standard," she added.
"A student who speaks so well and addresses complex topics with intelligence and insight, stands out even more when the essay they hand in is not of the same standard," she added.