It’s a logistical nightmare,” sighs the associate headteacher Kirstie Moat, as she takes me through the mind-boggling complexities of the weeks ahead at Harrogate Grammar, a state secondary school in North Yorkshire. The school is gearing up for exam season, and it’s no walk in the park. This isn’t your typical algebra or Jane Austen lesson we’re talking about. Moat is diving into the world of special “access arrangements” for students with additional needs, making sure they can take their exams without any barriers. Sounds noble, right? Well, the problem is that the number of students needing these arrangements has shot up dramatically since the post-Covid era, leaving schools like Harrogate Grammar struggling to keep up with the demands.
The numbers speak for themselves – in England, there was a 12.3% increase in approved access arrangements from the previous year, totaling 625,000 in 2023/4. Scotland and Wales are also seeing a rise in requests for assessment arrangements. This surge is linked to the uptick in anxiety issues and special educational needs post-pandemic. So, what does this mean for students? Well, imagine taking the same exam but in a completely different setting from your peers. Some students might find themselves in the sports hall, while others get the luxury of the headteacher’s office with a one-on-one invigilator. Some will stick to good old pen and paper, while others get to use laptops. And let’s not forget about the significant chunk of students who get extra time to finish the test due to conditions like ADHD or dyslexia.
Moat walks me through the intricate web of access arrangements her team has to navigate at Harrogate Grammar. It’s a massive operation – 783 students will be sitting exams this summer, with over 4,000 exam entries, 238 papers, and a whopping 10,110 individual exams to manage. That’s a lot of paperwork! And let’s not forget the costs involved – over £100,000 on invigilators alone to oversee the special arrangements. The struggle doesn’t stop there. Schools are also grappling with the logistics of finding enough space to accommodate students who can’t handle the sports hall setting while trying to maintain normal school operations. It’s a tough balancing act that schools across the board are facing.
As the exam season approaches, the pressure is mounting for students and schools alike. The clock is ticking for final revisions, and exam officers are gearing up for the storm that lies ahead. Despite the chaos, Moat seems oddly excited about the challenge. “It’s all about the kids,” she says. “This is their moment to shine after years of hard work. Our job is to make sure they have every opportunity to succeed.” But with the increasing demands for access arrangements, schools are feeling the strain. The disparities between private and state schools in the number of access arrangements raise eyebrows, prompting investigations by educational authorities. The future of exam accommodations hangs in the balance as the government reviews the curriculum and assessment system. Will there be changes to level the playing field for all students? Only time will tell.
