Gloucestershire Schools - SEN & Reasonable Adjustments

Advice on Special Needs and the 11 Plus Exams

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charlotteb33
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:08 pm

Gloucestershire Schools - SEN & Reasonable Adjustments

Post by charlotteb33 »

Hi all,

My DS is all enrolled to do his test this coming September for 2022 intake.
He has SEN needs and currently is on a My Plan Plus with school applying this term for his EHCP, he has been seen by various agencies including Advisory teachers, Ed Psych, SALT, OT etc and is awaiting an autism assessment and to see the paediatrician.
Currently his only formal diagnosis is Irlen's Syndrome which effects his reading speed and how he processes light among other things, its a neurological syndrome and due to this he struggles to complete the comprehension sections of our practise tests in the allotted time.

We have never done this before so I have no idea of what to expect, we have asked for consideration of movement breaks, potentially in a smaller room where he can have less light if needed, green paper so that he can have less sensitivity from his Irlen's and the potential of either a reader or extra time to account for his slow reading speed.

What is any have people sitting Gloucestershire tests actually managed to get in terms of reasonable adjustments?

Many thanks.
Choppy
Posts: 130
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 10:15 am

Re: Gloucestershire Schools - SEN & Reasonable Adjustments

Post by Choppy »

I am bumping this since my daughter's just been diagnosed with ASD and I'm in a similar boat, trying to get a sense of what our chances are etc. Crikey, this is stressful, isn't it?
exam2019
Posts: 227
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 3:14 pm

Re: Gloucestershire Schools - SEN & Reasonable Adjustments

Post by exam2019 »

Hi

I'm not familiar with your area so I'd suggest that you try to speak to the grammar school SENCO or LA dept for SEN.
You will probably not have the EHCP in place in time for the exam.

However if you are quick you might manage to have the EP report in place and when you meet the EP you could specifically ask them to include a section about the 11+ and exam arrangements.

I'd highly recommend getting proper lenses for the Irlen. It has transformed my DD's enjoyment of school. Overlays were OK but having bespoke lenses has improved her reading accuracy by 60%. She also enjoys school more now. I feel bad that I didn't realise years ago.

She isn't going to qualify for extra 11+ time this september because her scores are 4% higher than the cut off threshold at our target school, but since her reading has improved, it's taken the pressure off all the arrangements.

You'll need the EHCP to be in place by mid October to be able to name a school - usually the school has to be applying in February to get the plan in place for end July. Bear in mind that the process completely stops for the 6 weeks of the holidays.

Definitely investigate whether this is going to be possible and keep chasing for the application to be accelerated as choosing a school is really essential for ASD success. It's made all the difference to my DS who did his 11+ and transfer this way.

Good luck
charlotteb33
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:08 pm

Re: Gloucestershire Schools - SEN & Reasonable Adjustments

Post by charlotteb33 »

exam2019 wrote:Hi

I'm not familiar with your area so I'd suggest that you try to speak to the grammar school SENCO or LA dept for SEN.
You will probably not have the EHCP in place in time for the exam.

However if you are quick you might manage to have the EP report in place and when you meet the EP you could specifically ask them to include a section about the 11+ and exam arrangements.

I'd highly recommend getting proper lenses for the Irlen. It has transformed my DD's enjoyment of school. Overlays were OK but having bespoke lenses has improved her reading accuracy by 60%. She also enjoys school more now. I feel bad that I didn't realise years ago.

She isn't going to qualify for extra 11+ time this september because her scores are 4% higher than the cut off threshold at our target school, but since her reading has improved, it's taken the pressure off all the arrangements.

You'll need the EHCP to be in place by mid October to be able to name a school - usually the school has to be applying in February to get the plan in place for end July. Bear in mind that the process completely stops for the 6 weeks of the holidays.

Definitely investigate whether this is going to be possible and keep chasing for the application to be accelerated as choosing a school is really essential for ASD success. It's made all the difference to my DS who did his 11+ and transfer this way.

Good luck
Thanks for this,

Only just seen it and the exam has been and gone, We went to our local Irlen specialist and he now has proper Irlen overlays and spectral filter glasses which have been worth every single penny!
He got all of the reasonable adjustments I asked for granted. He got movements breaks, his own room with low level lighting and a person who could read the longer questions for him. We now have the wait until next week to see if he has actually qualified for a place.
His EHCP is currently under assessment so providing he passes, he can name a grammar on his final plan IF they agree they can meet his needs.

Thought I would update just in case anyone else stumbles across this and finds it useful!
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