Access arrangements, reasonable adjustments and paper modifications

In this section you'll find everything you need to know about access arrangements, reasonable adjustments and paper modifications for NCFE qualifications.

The provision for access arrangements and reasonable adjustments are made to ensure that learners receive recognition of their achievement so long as the equity, validity and reliability of the assessments can be assured. Such arrangements are neither concessions to make assessments easier for learners, nor advantages to benefit the learners.

There are two ways in which access to fair assessment can be achieved, these are through:

• Access arrangements, which allow learners with specific needs, such as special educational needs, disabilities, or temporary injuries, to access the assessment and show what they know and can do without changing the demands of the assessment. The intention behind an access arrangement is to meet the particular needs of an individual learner without affecting the integrity of the assessment.
• Reasonable adjustments, which NCFE are required to make where a learner, who is disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010, would be at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to someone who is not disabled. NCFE is required to take all reasonable steps to overcome that disadvantage.

Below are our Access Arrangement Policy and guidance documents, which will assist you in advance of submitting your access arrangements and reasonable adjustment request.

We have changed how centres submit access arrangements and reasonable adjustments requests, requiring centres to distinguish between external assessments and internal assessments.

For external assessments only, access arrangements and reasonable adjustments requests should now be submitted via the Portal. The Portal User Guide will assist you in submitting your request.

Please use this form if you need to request a late paper modification:
Late paper modification request form

Updated information for internally assessed qualifications

For internally assessed qualifications, centres no longer need to notify NCFE and must make reasonable adjustments that reflect a learner’s normal way of working, in line with the policy.

All reasonable adjustments made in relation to internal assessments must be recorded on JCQ Form VQ/IA and held on file within the centre for inspection by NCFE.

The VQ/IA form can be found on the JCQ website.

Late paper modification requests form

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