Mocks today

[Rash]

Hi all,

How did your dc found the mock/familiarisation test today?

[IncyWincy]

Mine came out in a fantastic mood, loved the whole experience of it as so many of his friends were there and is excited about Thursday. He doesn't believe the content will have been reflective of the actual test though as was saying that there were very basic sums which he could add up on his fingers. It sounded like it was more about familiarisation of the process.

[Rash]

That's great!
Sadly, mine came out in tears. She has visual impairment and her material is always modified on an A4 sheet. Unfortunately, for the 11+ they have modified the paper on A3 size paper with a huge clip to hold the sheets from the top. She found this extremely difficult. Especially, the massive clip:( she ran out of time trying to turn the pages backwards and forwards. Despite having 25% extra time she was not able to finish the paper:(

[Guest55]

Rash - can't this be sorted for Thursday? Surely there must be a better way of her accessing the test?

Certainly a larger desk and papers stapled not clipped together.

[Rash]

Hi Guest55,

I am going to email the school to ask if they can do something. As it stands they are doing everything 'county has advised' which of course is not helping.
However, her working desk is large. She is finding the whole thing really overwhelming and very difficult to cope with.

[Guest55]

County aren't experts in her normal way of working - the school is. They need to tell the LA what she needs and why.

Having question on smaller paper won't advantage her so I don't see any problem.

[All this is ammunition for appeal but she should have a 'fair' chance]

[Rash]

True said, through out the years they got her use to modification on A4 and in exam situation when the she is nervous as it is they are introducing something totally different. It is unfair! I do feel that school should say or do something but seem to be blindly following the 'experts' advise.

[Guest55]

Ask who these 'experts' are. I don't think Bucks has an SEN adviser these days so it won't be a specialist.

[IncyWincy]

Really sorry to hear that Rash, I hope that it's possible to come up with a solution.

Apologies if my comment seemed insensitive, my son tried a couple of papers and found them very difficult, it was such a relief to see him come out with a positive attitude that I'm afraid I got a bit carried away.

Good luck on Thursday and I hope it's not too stressful. I keep on telling mine that they are not expected to finish the paper, my eldest said that she left big sections when she did it.

[ToadMum]

Hi Guest55,

I am going to email the school to ask if they can do something. As it stands they are doing everything 'county has advised' which of course is not helping.
However, her working desk is large. She is finding the whole thing really overwhelming and very difficult to cope with.

I suspect the answer would be no to her using it in the test if it hasn't been agreed earlier, but would an A3 clear art folder - the type with lots of pockets like the pages of a book - be allowed? The sheets of paper could be inserted back to back and would be held together to facilitate turning. I assume the answer sheets are separate?