SEND and Access Arrangements Policy
1. Statement
2. Aims
3. Related policies, legislation and guidance
4. Access Arrangements Team and SEND Code of Practice
5. Procedures and requirements
6. ‘Reasonable adjustment’ under the Equality Act 2010
Appendix A: Access Arrangements Team – staff members
Appendix B: Codes for Access Arrangements
1. Statement
Ashbourne is an academically selective independent college and is not a specialist centre for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Nonetheless the small class sizes, the high level of one-to-one attention from teachers and Personal Tutors, and the comprehensive support and flexibility provided both academically and pastorally, create an excellent learning environment for all students.
Applications to join Ashbourne are treated equally including reasonable adjustments during the interview process as required, provided the student can satisfy the College’s selection requirements, which include being able to meet the academic and behavioural standards of the College.
These standards are:
Ashbourne is committed to integrating all students fully into the life of the College, with due regard to individual needs as assessed in consultation with students, parents, teachers and external agencies. If a student presents a special educational need or disability, which is corroborated by the College or by an approved external specialist, Ashbourne will endeavour to make special educational provision and ‘reasonable adjustments’ to accommodate their needs whilst at the College.
3. Related policies, legislation and guidance
3.1 Related policies
3.2 Relevant legislation and guidance
This policy has been developed in accordance with relevant government legislation and guidance, including the Equality Act 2010 and the SEND Code of Practice.
Full list of legislation and guidance
4. Access Arrangements Team and SEND Code of Practice
4.1 Access Arrangements Team
Ashbourne’s Access Arrangements Team comprises the following roles:
4.1.1 SENDCo
The SENDCo is responsible for coordinating provision for SEND students in collaboration with all members of the Access Arrangements and Safeguarding teams.
4.1.2 SEND Advisor and Assessor
The SEND Advisor and Assessor is qualified to carry out the Access Arrangements tests for examination concessions. They write up the relevant documentation and process the Access Arrangements Online applications.
4.1.3 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Students with SEND are typically entered onto the College’s safeguarding database, as part of Ashbourne’s commitment to safeguarding. The DSL collaborates with the rest of the Access Arrangements Team to help support these students, including ensuring that students with an education care and health plan (ECHP) are adequately supported.
4.1.4 Supporting staff
Members of the Access Arrangements Team liaise with teachers on a regular basis in order to offer advice and support in relation to SEND students and regarding any access arrangements required. The SEND Advisor and Assessor uses these opportunities to introduce new staff to the steps in the process of identifying SEND students and how to meet their individual requirements in the classroom and during online lessons. These interactions also offer staff the opportunity to provide feedback about individual students and strategies to support them.
4.2 SEND Code of Practice
This policy is underpinned by the Children and Families Act 2014 of which Part 3 is the SEN and Disability Code of Practice, 0-25 years. Ashbourne adheres to the definition in the Introduction to the SEND Code of Practice with regard to provision, which states that a child has a learning difficulty or disability if they:
Ashbourne is committed to fulfilling its duties in compliance with the Equality Act 2010, and as such will make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for students with SEND.
5. Procedures and requirements
5.1 Admissions arrangements
Students with SEND have an equal opportunity to join Ashbourne if they satisfy the College’s selection requirements which include meeting academic and behavioural standards. Please read the Student Behaviour and Exclusions Policy and the Admissions Policy for further details. If examination concessions are required for the entrance assessments (e.g. use of a laptop or extra time), evidence should be submitted to the Admissions department prior to the test date. This documentation will be considered by the Access Arrangements Team who will make the necessary recommendations.
5.1.2. Failure to disclose a pre-existing SEND
Before a place is offered at the College, parents of a candidate with any known or suspected circumstances relating to a disability, long-term medical condition or special educational need and/or an educational health and care plan (EHCP) must provide full written details as part of the application process. Should parents or students fail to disclose any relevant information prior to acceptance, the College may be unable to meet the needs of the student and, in some circumstances, this may result in the offer of a place being withdrawn.
Where a student’s SEND is identified or develops after beginning at Ashbourne, the College will continue to support the student under the following conditions:
When either of these conditions cannot be met the College reserves the right to withdraw any place that has been offered.
Applications to the College by students with an EHCP will only be considered if:
5.1.3 Students with an educational health and care plan (EHCP)
Where a student, who has been accepted at Ashbourne having fulfilled all the admissions requirements, has an existing EHCP with supporting documentation, the College will make all ‘reasonable adjustments’ to support their needs as outlined in their plan.
The DSL, in conjunction with the Access Arrangements Team, is responsible for ensuring EHCP student’s needs are met by:
5.2 Students with pre-existing access arrangements
Any students accepted at Ashbourne who were provided with access arrangements in their previous place of learning will be invited to a review session to discuss their ongoing requirement for access arrangements. They will also attend a brief assessment to confirm their ongoing needs. The review session initiates the process for the College to make the new Access Arrangements Online application that is required for them following their transfer to a new place of learning.
Given that JCQ threshold guidelines can vary from one year to the next, students who have previously received access arrangements at their former school should not expect that these will automatically be granted when they transfer to Ashbourne.
5.3 Students without pre-existing access arrangements
It is not the College’s policy to screen and assess each student for specific learning difficulties. To be eligible for a screening access arrangement test students must be referred by their teacher to the Access Arrangements Team who will then initiate the process of assessment. If a student develops or is diagnosed with a medical condition that they believe requires access arrangements they must provide evidence for review by the Access Arrangements Team.
After the October half-term mocks, teachers will have the opportunity to refer students to the Access Arrangements Team. Teachers should only make access arrangement referrals if they are confident the student has processing difficulties, not that they simply find it difficult to complete exams under timed conditions. If necessary, the Access Arrangements Team will invite relevant students for an assessment. Further assessment may follow subject to initial results. Where results yield at least two standardised scores of 84 or less in areas of processing, reading comprehension speed and/or handwriting speed an application for examination concessions can be made.
For more complex access arrangements such as 50% extra time, further testing would be required and appropriate scores would need to be recorded. In the case of students with conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) access arrangements may be given subject to relevant supporting evidence being provided.
All access arrangements are reviewed on an individual basis with consideration to the needs of the student and the needs of the wider student body.
The Access Arrangements Team will assess a student for access arrangements only. The specialist assessor does not offer a full diagnostic assessment. In addition, students who require testing for dyscalculia will need to be assessed externally (e.g. with an educational psychologist).
Any students who have not previously received access arrangements but do have an educational report detailing a special educational need will meet with the SEND Assessor for further testing at the start of the academic year.
5.4 Access arrangements for exams
Ashbourne facilitates a number of different access arrangements for examinations for SEND students, which include:
Ashbourne’s criteria for extra time are in line with the JCQ guidelines and are subject to regular review by the Access Arrangements Team.
Ashbourne does not have the resources to offer separate invigilation for any examinations nor does the College have provision to offer scribes. Those students who have previously required a reader will be issued with a specialised reader pen and headphones to allow them to complete their examination in the same room as other candidates.
6. ‘Reasonable adjustment’ under the Equality Act 2010
Ashbourne will endeavour to make any ‘reasonable adjustment’ for the provision of education to any SEND students accepted at the College to enable them to perform at their academic potential within the learning environment. In accordance with guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission relating to ‘reasonable adjustment’, the College considers the following factors when assessing provision:
Appendix A: Access Arrangements Team – staff members
Appendix B: Codes for Access Arrangements
Ashbourne uses internally-set Access Arrangement abbreviation codes that can be easily viewed within the College’s secure system, e.g. in Attendance Registers.
25ET – 25% Extra Time
50ET – 50% Extra Time
BDI – Bilingual Dictionary: Italian
BDP – Bilingual Dictionary: Persian
CD – Clock on Desk
EC – Enlarged Calculator
EP – Enlarged Papers
LT – Laptop
HP – Headphones (noise-cancelling)
PS – Padded Seat
PT – Prompter
SB – Scribe
SRB – Supervised Rest Breaks
SSABM – Special Seating Arrangement: Back and Middle
SSABS – Special Seating Arrangement: Back and Side
SSAFM – Special Seating Arrangement: Front and Middle
SSAFS – Special Seating Arrangement: Front and Side
SSASR – Special Seating Arrangement: Separate Room
TL – Towel