Additional examination time extra doubtless for personal pupils, new figures present
Private college youngsters are 50 p.c extra prone to be given additional time in exams as a result of studying difficulties than their state college friends, figures present.
Pupils are given extra time if they will exhibit they’re deprived by situations corresponding to dyslexia, ADHD and autism.
But the variety of youngsters given the allowance is on the rise – prompting fears some mother and father try to “game” the system.
According to examination regulator Ofqual, the variety of qualifying has risen from 135,200 in 2012 to 334,375 final 12 months. The information additionally exhibits youngsters in non-public faculties are benefiting most.
In 2019, 17 p.c of state pupils acquired additional time in contrast with 27 p.c in non-public faculties. Last 12 months this rose to 22.7 p.c of state college students and 35.8 p.c of personal pupils.
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Experts consider wealthier mother and father could also be paying for personal assessments and gaining a probably unfair benefit.
On Sunday, the Campaign for Real Education, which seeks increased requirements, will ship a letter to Education Secretary Gillian Keegan to go on its issues.
The letter highlights anecdotal studies of scholars intentionally “failing” dyslexia and “speed of processing” exams to qualify for additional time.
It states: “It is grossly unfair and dishonest when schools and parents seek to benefit pupils through fake claims.
“Attaining good exam results for their child is a great incentive for pushy parents to game the system and become cheats. Nor is it unusual for schools and teachers to be compliant or, even, to encourage such cheating since they, too, are judged by exam results.”
The letter provides: “All of this is an educational and social scandal that favours savvy and pushy ‘haves’ over non-pushy ‘have-nots’.
“If the Government is serious about its ‘levelling-up’ agenda it needs to wake up to what is going on behind the closed doors of our schools.”
Chris McGovern, chair of the strain group, stated: “I shall be passing on our concerns to Gillian Keegan. She needs to act now.”
He added: “Children from wealthier backgrounds have an advantage when they seek entry into the special-needs category because their parents have the time and resources which poorer parents simply cannot afford.”
But the Joint Council for Qualifications, which represents the key examination boards, stated: “JCQ has rigorous processes to protect the integrity of exams, and students need to meet the published criteria.”