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12.4Additional time

Pupils with a statement of special educational needs are allowed up to 25 per cent additional time for written tests at the school’s discretion. Schools do not have to request permission for additional time for pupils with a statement of special educational needs.

Pupils using modified large print or braille versions of the tests are automatically entitled to up to 100 per cent additional time. Pupils using enlarged print versions of the tests are not automatically entitled to additional time unless they have a statement of special educational needs, in which case they are allowed up to 25 per cent additional time for written tests at the school’s discretion.

Pupils with permanent or long-term hearing loss, or who access the tests through the medium of sign language and who are using the modified versions of the mental mathematics test, are automatically entitled to up to 100 per cent additional time to complete the mental mathematics test.

In all other cases, if a school feels that a pupil needs additional time to access a written test, it must request permission. Schools do not need to request permission for additional time for the spelling test, as this test is not strictly timed and the time quoted is for guidance only.

Making an application for additional time

Applications for permission to allow additional time must be made online at www.naa.org.uk/tests (see section 12.13 for details on accessing the ‘Test forms’ section of the NAA website) during the period November 2007 to 5pm on 3 March 2008.

Applications from local authority maintained schools are processed by their local authority. Local authority maintained schools should contact their local authority key stage 2 assessment coordinator if they need advice on how to complete the application.

Applications from independent schools and academies are processed by the NAA. Independent schools and academies should contact the national curriculum tests helpline on 08700 60 60 40 if they need further advice on how to complete the application.

All requests for additional time must be submitted by 5pm on 3 March 2008. Applications will only be considered after this date if they relate to a pupil who joined the school on or after 1 February 2008 or whose special educational needs have recently significantly changed. To make an application after 3 March 2008, local authority maintained schools with pupils in this category should contact their local authority, and independent schools and academies should contact the national curriculum tests helpline on 08700 60 60 40 and ask to speak to the additional time coordinator.

From time to time, schools should log in to the ‘Test forms’ section of the NAA website at www.naa.org.uk/tests to respond to any requests for further information about this application or to find out whether an application has been approved. All applications for additional time will be processed by 18 April 2008.

In what circumstances will permission be given for additional time?

This guidance relates to pupils who regularly receive additional time in school. For information about arrangements for pupils who need additional time because of unforeseen injuries, see section 10.6.

Tests used to produce evidence for the following criteria should be up to date, fully standardised tests that are age appropriate and have a ceiling level equivalent to, or above, the chronological age of the pupil. A list of possible tests is available on the
QCA website at www.qca.org.uk/pupileligibility.

Data used as evidence must have been obtained no earlier than the start of the previous school year, unless it relates to a physical disability, named medical condition (not including specific learning difficulties) or cognitive ability scores.

Data from QCA optional tests and previous national curriculum tests cannot be used as evidence, as these tests are not designed to assess a pupil’s eligibility for additional time.

Each application for additional time is considered against the profile set out below.

To be eligible for up to 25 per cent additional time, a pupil must meet:

  • at least three of the criteria outlined in section A

or

  • one of the criteria outlined in section B.

Section A

Pupils who may be considered eligible for up to 25 per cent additional time would meet three or more of the following criteria:

A1. Reading score (using a test of comprehension, single word reading or reading rate, ie accuracy with speed) in the below average range for the pupil’s age.

  • ’Below average’ here refers to a standardised score of below 85.

A2. Pupils increase their reading comprehension age by nine months or more when allowed 25 per cent additional time to complete a timed reading test, or there is other evidence of slow reading speed.

  • Most pupils will complete a timed reading test in the time allowed. Pupils who work very slowly may benefit from additional time to complete the test, and this could be used as evidence in a request for additional time. Pupils should not be told at the start of the test that additional time will be allowed as this may cause them to slow down their work. In administering the test, provide pupils with two different coloured pens and ask them to change pen at the start of the additional time allowance. It is then possible to check how the additional time has been used (for example to continue answering, to proofread or check, or to complete questions missed out).
  • Other specific evidence – for example, some tests specifically test reading rate (a combination of accuracy and speed).

A3. Free writing speed of 10 words or fewer per minute.

  • A recognised test of writing speed should be carried out or a pupil should be asked to write for at least 10 minutes and the number of words written per minute calculated.

A4. A processing speed that is in the low average or below average range for the pupil’s age.

  • ‘Low’ or ‘below average’ here refers to a standardised score of below 90.

A5. Significant discrepancy between cognitive ability and performance, shown by:

  • at least average verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, or quantitative scores alongside below average literacy scores. ‘At least average’ here refers to standardised scores of 90 or above, and ‘below average’ to a standardised score of below 85

and/or

  • a difference of 20 points or more between verbal and performance IQ (performance IQ tests are usually administered by educational psychologists).

Section B

Pupils may be considered eligible for up to 25 per cent additional time if they meet one of the following criteria:

B1. Pupils with limited fluency in the English language – English as an additional language (EAL) – on level 1 (threshold or secure) or level 2 of the common scale for assessment provided in A language in common.
  • These pupils would be working below the level of the English tests and should not be entered for them. Additional time will not be granted for them. Additional time will only be granted in mathematics and science for these pupils if they are working at the level of these tests.
  • A language in common is available to download from the QCA website at www.qca.org.uk/alanguageincommon and can be ordered from the QCA orderline on 08700 60 60 15 (price £4 plus postage and packing, reference QCA/00/584).

B2. An appropriate professional such as a doctor, educational psychologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, qualified teacher of the visually impaired or teacher of the deaf has made a recent recommendation for additional time because of a physical disability or a medical condition or sensory impairment that affects the pupil’s ability to access the tests. Please include the name of the professional and the date of the report.

  • The recommendation must make clear why the condition affects the pupil's ability to work under timed conditions. Any relevant scores in the report should be included. Recommendations that do not make it clear may be rejected.
  • For pupils who have specific learning difficulties, the recommendation must be obtained no earlier than the start of the previous school year.

B3. Other very exceptional circumstances.

  • There may be a very small number of pupils who genuinely need additional time to complete a test but do not meet the above criteria. Appropriate evidence giving details of how additional time will enable them to access the tests must be provided.

In what circumstances is additional time not appropriate?

Additional time is not appropriate when, for example:

  • the pupil’s needs would be better catered for by other access arrangements such as rest breaks and/or working in a separate room. This may be particularly relevant in the case of pupils with emotional or behavioural difficulties or with poor concentration
  • the pupil is working below the level of the test – additional time is unlikely to be of any benefit to pupils working below or at the lowest levels of a test. Even with additional time, most questions will remain inaccessible to such pupils. Schools should consider whether teacher assessment alone would be the best way of judging their performance
  • the pupil has a low reading ability that is in line with his or her general level of attainment, IQ, or verbal or non-verbal ability and it is clear that the pupil is working below or at the lowest levels of the test. Additional time is unlikely to be used by pupils with general low ability, many of whom do not use all the time allowed
  • the pupil does not receive additional time on a regular basis in school; if additional time is not normally provided in school, pupils are unlikely to use it in the tests.

Additional time will not be granted when:

  • it is not appropriate (as listed above)
  • the minimum number of criteria from section A or B has not been met
  • the additional time application form has not been correctly completed and/or received by 5pm on 3 March 2008.

Pupils for whom provision is being made under the SEN code of practice who do not have visual impairment, hearing impairment or motor disabilities are not allowed any additional time for the mental mathematics test. In these cases, a few extra seconds are unlikely to be helpful.

How much additional time may be given?

When permission is given for a particular pupil to have additional time in a particular subject, they will be given up to 25 per cent additional time to complete the written tests in that subject.

Pupils needing more than 25 per cent additional time

A very small number of pupils might need more than 25 per cent additional time for the written tests (or 100 per cent for the modified large print and braille versions of the tests). In such cases, local authority maintained schools must contact their local authority and independent schools and academies must contact the NAA. These requests will only be approved in exceptional circumstances. Schools should consider carefully whether a pupil will actually benefit from an extended period of additional time or whether rest breaks are more appropriate.