12.7Arrangements for pupils with visual impairment
Schools can make the following access arrangements at their own discretion; they do not have to request permission.
For more information on access arrangements for the mental mathematics test for pupils with visual impairment, see section 12.12.
Using modified tests
Modified large print, braille and enlarged print tests are available for pupils with visual impairment or special educational needs:
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who have a statement of special educational needs
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whose needs are being met at School Action Plus of the SEN code of practice
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who have a medical condition based on visual impairment (this must be supported by a doctor’s certificate).
Enlarged print tests can also be ordered for pupils with other special educational needs.
Schools have to decide which test paper format is most appropriate for pupils when they order test materials. For more information on the different options available, see section 8.5.
In exceptional cases, it may be appropriate to enlarge or reduce sections of the text in the modified large print or enlarged print versions of the tests. Where a pupil’s visual impairment requires more significant adaptations to the tests, schools should contact the NAA modified test agency (statutory) on 0870 3216727 for guidance.
Helping pupils with visual impairment
Schools may open test papers up to one hour before a test is due to start to make the adaptations listed below. If a school needs to open test papers more than one hour before a test is scheduled to start, an application for early opening must be made, see section 12.3.
Readers and test administrators may help pupils using the braille version of the tests to use tactile diagrams, graphs and tables to obtain information that the printed paper would give to a sighted pupil.
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Making recorded versions of the mathematics and science tests
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Schools may provide recorded versions of the written mathematics and science tests for pupils who regularly use recordings or have access to readers as part of normal classroom practice. Recorded versions can also be used alongside the modified versions of the tests.
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The general instructions for the tests may be clarified in recorded versions, but no other changes must be made to the wording of the tests.
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Pupils who will use recorded versions of the tests should be given opportunities to use recordings beforehand, so that they are able to show their best work on the day of the test. Practice recordings used to do this must not be based on the content of any of the 2008 tests.
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Recorded versions of the English tests are not allowed.
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Enlarging modified test papers
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Schools may enlarge the modified test papers further on a photocopier or scanner to meet individual pupils’ needs, with the exception of certain mathematics questions, see ‘Enhancing diagrams’.
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Photocopying onto coloured paper or using coloured overlays
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Schools may photocopy the test papers onto coloured paper for pupils with visual impairment who require this. Coloured overlays and coloured filter lenses may also be used if this is normal classroom practice.
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Enhancing diagrams
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Schools may enhance the shading on diagrams (including braille tactile diagrams), charts and graphs, to increase their visual clarity. Bold lines may also be added for pupils with spatial perception difficulties. When doing this, care must be taken not to invalidate the assessment by drawing the pupil’s attention to the response sought.
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Diagrams may also be enlarged, cut out, embossed or mounted on card or other material (according to normal classroom practice). Again, care must be taken to avoid changing the nature of any question, particularly in mathematics.
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Diagrams in certain questions in the mathematics papers must not be enlarged.
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The NAA will inform schools which questions cannot be enlarged in the Subject-specific guidance for the standard and modified tests.
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Diagrams must not be altered in any other way.
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Use of emphasis in modified large print and braille test papers
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Bold, underlining, upper case text and italics are sometimes removed from the modified large print and braille test papers to increase accessibility. Schools may use underlining, highlighting, readers or any other method to emphasise words presented in bold, underlining, upper case text and italics in the standard versions of the tests.
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Adapting braille test papers into grade 1 braille or non-capitalised braille
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Schools may adapt braille test papers into grade 1 braille or non-capitalised braille to meet individual pupils’ needs.
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Using low-vision aids
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Pupils who normally use technical and electrical aids, including low-vision aids such as closed-circuit TV/JOCR scanners, may use these for the tests.
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Whenever a pupil uses a technical or electrical aid, the school must complete the form ‘Use of a word processor or technical or electrical aid’ and attach it to the pupil’s test scripts. The form ‘Use of a word processor or technical or electrical aid’ can be downloaded from the ‘Test forms’ section of the NAA website at www.naa.org.uk/tests. Schools do not need their login details to access the
‘Templates and notifications’ page of the ‘Test forms’ section of the NAA website.
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