Access Arrangements

Students facing public examination (KS2 to A' level)  may need a specialist assessment in support of applications for access arrangements in public examinations. Access arrangements are there to help students with specific learning difficulties show their knowledge of curriculum subjects without being hampered by their difficulties with literacy. Some students may just get extra time because they read and write very slowly. Other students may need someone to read the paper to them. However, access arrangements could give an unfair advantage to children who do not have specific learning difficulties and so the examination boards lay down very strict criteria to assess the eligibility of a particular student for access arrangements. This is why the process is so complex. Not all schools have the facilities to routinely assess students. The Durham Centre for Education can help by providing the information that the schools need.

Disabled Students Allowance

Under the Disability Discrimination Act students who can demonstrate that they have a specific learning difficulty are entitled to special support to enable them to undertake higher education. This support may take the form of technology in the form of voice recognition word processing and text reading programmes. They may also receive one to one support in organisation and study techniques and be given special consideration in examinations.  To apply for the DSA students must have a recent educational assessment demonstrating that they have a specific learning difficulty.  The Durham Centre for Education can help by prociding the information that the universities need.