Growing demand for exam support is straining schools

The number of students needing extra help during exams has reached an all-time high.

The figures were published on Thursday by exams regulator Ofqual. show there were 625,000 changes to GCSE, AS and A-level exams in England last year.

As a result, many schools and colleges are struggling to cope with the logistical hurdles required to make all the changes.

Some have had to rent external exam halls because their own buildings are full, while others are hiring more invigilators to monitor exams – all at an additional cost.

For 17-year-old Hannah, a few “simple” changes to her exam experience made a significant difference.

When Hannah began taking her exams at school, at the age of 10, she began experiencing panic attacks and “crippling anxiety.”

Several times, teachers had to take her out of the exam room to calm her down and regulate her breathing.

She rarely sat her exams and the traumatic experience took such a toll on her mental health that she was eventually accepted into CAMHS, an NHS service that supports children and young people with emotional, behavioral and mental health problems.

But when she was later diagnosed with dyslexia, her school made a few “simple” changes, changing her attitude towards exams and learning.

“It completely and utterly changed my high school experience,” she says.

Hannah is one of many thousands of students in England given access during exams.

She is currently studying at Leeds Sixth Form College and has several adjustments to her exams, including 50% extra time and an exam printed on blue paper, which helps her focus on the text.

In the last academic year, a total of 625,000 access agreements were approved in schools and colleges in England – more than ever before.

This figure is 12.3% more than a year earlier. Over the same period, the number of students taking exams increased by just 5.6%.

Over the past three years, the total number of access agreements approved has increased by 39.6%.

Schools and colleges must provide detailed evidence to qualified assessors in order for students to be granted access to the exam.

They will then meet with each student to determine if they qualify for additional help and what adjustments they need.

Some students are eligible for one adjustment, while others are eligible for many.

“Best Tools”

Educational psychologist Dr Patricia Britto says the rise in approvals is partly due to surge in children diagnosed with neurodiverse needssuch as ADHD and autism.

“We also have better tools now than ever to identify children’s different needs,” she says.

But Dr. Britto adds that there is even more children who need extra help with lessons and exams so that they can “thrive rather than survive” in school.

Martin Stables, head of exam assessment and engagement at Leeds City College, says access arrangements are tailored to each student to ensure exams replicate how they learn in class.

Over 3,900 students – 38% of Leeds City Colleges’ student population – have at least one form of individual exam arrangement.

And while a “holistic approach” allows students to perform better in exams, Mr Stables says careful planning is required to ensure every exam goes smoothly.

In the past, the college has had to rent a community center to meet the need for extra space on exam days.

This year it was a gym in a nearby entertainment center.

“The cost of all this will have to be borne by the college itself,” says Mr. Stables.

“Without these additional facilities, this would be virtually impossible given the level of access we have.”

In addition, every member of staff at the college has been trained to monitor exams closely due to the surge in students requiring additional support.

Last year, the college’s CEO even intervened to supervise the exam: “Everyone is falling apart.”

Barry Weller, an independent exam access expert, says funding and staffing issues are also becoming a major issue for schools.

As more students need rest breaks and are allowed to take exams in smaller classrooms, schools are increasingly having to hire additional test proctors.

“Schools have to absorb these additional costs.”

He also cites the cost of assistive technology such as reading and writing software and exam pens, each costing hundreds of pounds.

Despite the challenges schools and colleges face in providing access, Hannah says additional support can make a “complete difference to people’s lives.”

She cites her father, who left school with no qualifications because he “didn’t get the help he needed”, and compares this to her own experience.

“I think we’re honored to have people who can recognize these issues, but the grades you get in your education really determine what happens in your career.”