Exams are anxiety inducing for any child, especially those with special educational needs (SEN). Schools can support SEN students through the process using exam concessions, also known as access arrangements. These arrangements are series of supports that aim to make the exam more accessible to the student. You do not need to have severe special needs to be entitled to them, you just need to be able to demonstrate that a child’s ‘normal way of working’ is only possible with a concession. This is reasonably easy to demonstrate – for example, if your child never finishes a question in time, demonstrate that by changing pen colour when the timer runs out. All evidence is good evidence.

Exam concessions cover a wide range of accommodations that can be put in place. Readers, scribes, extra time, use of a computer etc. Concessions can also be put in place without assessment. Rest breaks for example can be given to those students who find exams overwhelming or housing the exam in a smaller, quieter room they can curate themselves to put them at ease. There are many ways of being creative with the exam experience to ensure children have the best chance at success. Here are our top tips:

Ten Top Tips for Exam Concessions:

1. Your child may be eligible for an exam concession if they have a special educational need, be that diagnosed or not.
2. If a child’s ‘normal way of working’ in school is with a concession, they are entitled to it in their exams.
3. When your child is completing work, get them to change pen colour at the point they go over the allocated time for that piece of work. To evidence the need for extra time.
4. Children with Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) do not need to be assessed for exam concessions, they automatically receive them, based on their needs.
5. All children are entitled to ‘rest breaks’ in exams if they are their normal way of working. This means they can pause the clock take a break and resume their work when ready.
6. Exam concessions can be put in place at any point during a child’s schooling. They do not need to wait to be seen by an exam’s concession assessor.
7. If children are medically diagnosed with anxiety, they can complete their exams out of the main exam hall, in a quiet space.
8. If your child is entitled to exam concessions, such as a reader or a scribe – this person can be a member of staff from school they know. So, they can feel more comfortable.
9. If you child is entitled to sit their exams out of the main hall, they can set up the room as they wish – to make them feel at ease.
10. Schools assess students for exam concessions in Year 5, 9 and 12. This is organised by the school SENCO so if you feel your child word benefit make sure you are in contact with them.