The JCQ regulations state: ‘The head of centre must ensure that readers, scribes etc. (and invigilators) are appropriately trained and understand the rules of the access arrangement as detailed in these regulations.’ This training course is for Teaching Assistants and other adults supporting candidates as e.g. readers/scribes, in examinations for General Qualifications (GCSE, GCE, FS etc.). We recommend that all invigilators who will be supervising candidates who qualify for access arrangements take part in this training, alongside those who will be acting as readers, scribes etc. The course is ideal for training new staff and bringing existing staff up to date, as Caroline highlights the changes for this year. We also have a short course just covering the changes for the current year, with an online assessment to confirm current knowledge of the regulations. Please email online at communicate-ed dot org dot uk for more information.

This course covers the regulations and procedures for the administration and invigilation of Access Arrangements as outlined in the JCQ booklets: ‘Instructions for Conducting Examinations’ (ICE) and ‘Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments’.

• JCQ Rational for Access Arrangements
• How the supporting adult’s role in the classroom differs from their role in exams
• Readers, Scribes, Extra Time, Rest Breaks, use of a Word Processor, Bilingual Dictionary, Prompter, Sign Language Interpreter, Practical Assistant, Oral Language Modifier (further accredited training is required to act as a LM, please see our LM training)
• Video showing a reader/scribe working with a candidate
• Optional role play activity
• The changes for the current regulations are highlighted in order to help existing staff to update their knowledge

Please note that this course does not cover in detail the requirements for invigilating examinations. Please click here for information about our ‘Training for Invigilators’ online course.

The course tutor is Caroline Read.

Caroline Read

Caroline is a Specialist Teacher who has practical experience in all areas of the Access Arrangements process and trains for LAs, Universities and SEN Services. Caroline contributed to the PATOSS/JCQ publication ‘Dyslexia: Assessing the need for Access Arrangements’, has been published in academic journals and has worked with various publishers to develop tests. She was part of the working party which set up ‘Access Arrangements Online’ and has been involved with other DfE and Ofqual training and policy projects.

Standard 10 Day Access

You will have 10 days from the start date you choose to login and view both courses

You can run the course as many times as you want within this 10 day period, and there is no maximum number of delegates who can watch the course as a group for the total course fee of £80. If you require more than one login due to staff working from home or you would like individual members of staff to complete the assessment and receive a certificate, we offer 3 delegate logins within the course price. After this, up to 10 additional logins can be purchased for £12 each, the next 10 logins for £10 each and any subsequent logins for £7 each. Each login comes with its own assessment. If you fail your first attempt at the assessment, it will allow you one more attempt.

Rest of Academic Year Access

By adding the relevant option below, you can run the course as often as you wish, up until the end of the academic year. Again there is no maximum number of delegates who can watch the course as a group for the total course fee of £135. If you require more than one login due to staff working from home or you would like individual members of staff to complete the assessment and receive a certificate, we offer 3 delegate logins within the course price. After this, up to 10 additional logins can be purchased for £12 each, the next 10 logins for £10 each and any subsequent logins for £7 each. Each login comes with its own assessment. If you fail your first attempt at the assessment, it will allow you one more attempt.

How to administer the course:

All delegates must all be from your school or college, you can’t use the course to train staff from other centres. We do not provide individual certificates for delegates watching the course as a group, but on request we can provide a certificate for the course confirming that the centre accessed the training (for JCQ inspection purposes). Every delegate whom you purchase a login for will receive access to the assessment and a certificate for their CPD file if they pass.

1. Ideally a group of adults who will be supporting candidates with access arrangements, or those acting as invigilators will be able to access the course together at the same time. For this we recommend that you use a digital projector and large screen with speakers to amplify the presentation.
2. If one or two staff members are unable to make the group session, they can be booked in below and will be sent separate login details and can access the course individually. Up to 3 logins are included in the course price, then they are charged as per the table below.

This course can be accessed by a group watching together on the lead delegate’s login and completing one assessment together. We also offer the option of individual logins for staff to complete in their the training and assessment in their own time (at work or home) and receive an individual certificate.

There are 3 delegate logins included in the current course price, and the pricing for additional delegates is shown below when you click to book and enter a start date. This arrangement applies for both the 10 day and rest of academic year options.

Please note that delegate logins must be booked all together at the time of booking by adding delegates below. The booking total will automatically be adjusted when you check out.

If you choose standard access, you will have 10 days from the start date you choose to login and view the course. You can run the course as many times as you want
to within this 10 day period. If you choose access for the rest of the academic year, you can run the course as many times as you want until 31st July when your access will expire.

N.B. You will need a good broadband connection to access our online courses.

The course includes the option to complete an online multiple choice assessment at the end of the course. The assessment covers the content of the course and is a good way to confirm that delegates have understood and remembered what they have learned. Each login purchased comes with an assessment. The original idea was that the group watching the course would complete the assessment together at the end of the course. Only one certificate can be provided per login, so if you would like individual members of staff to complete the assessment and receive a certificate, please purchase the correct number of delegate logins when booking.

If you fail your first attempt at the assessment, it will allow you one more attempt.