Trident wrote:
Hi ladies, hope you can help. My daughter has sensory issues and as a result, the school she currently attends put in special allowances for exams such as allowing her to do her exams in a separate room so she can concentrate better. Now, I have never felt fully comfortable with this but have gone along with it as her grades have really imprroved, and she herself is comfortable and happy with this arrangement, so have never really questioned it.
My concern is that the school head advised me to apply for special circumstances on the day of the grammar test, meaning to request a smaller environment, with less children (apparently, they do this), I am not comfortable with it, also, I am worried about whether this will impinge her chance of getting through as she will be identified as a child with 'issues', (she is very academic, but she works better in smaller groups, she is adapting to larger environments and getting better at it, but still working on it) my question is, will she be disadvantaged in any way by me requesting special circumstances on the day? Is there any bias regarding this? Or are children all treated equally when the marking takes place and it is just based purely on the exam performance? Obviously, if it does, then I would prefer for her to sit the exam with everyone else with no special circumstances at all if it is going to disadvantage her getting a place in any way. Any advice will be much appreciated. Thanks:)
I hope you don't mind me writing this but I was a little concerned reading your post.I got the impression you don't necessarily understand your dd's sensory issues and how they impact upon her. I was impressed with the school who do seem to understand her issues and are working to improve her learning experience.It seems there must have been a formal assessment at some stage which has diagnosed the condition and made recommendations to remedy the learning difficulties so that she is not discriminated against.Have you been going to any meetings at the school ?
It seems what the school have been doing has been working so she can express her abilities at the appropriate level.I would not hesitate in applying for special measures for the 11 plus.They are there to prevent discrimination and to ensure equality.You will find this may benefit her in future public exams at Secondary level.I wouldn't worry about what what other people think and it will not disadvantage her to have special measures.