Taking exams and crohns

[CDJ]

This is mostly a question for parents in the UK. Josh is still two plus years off taking his GCSE's, but today I have been in invigilatoring at the school I work at and it has got me worried as to how our children cope with taking exams.

I asked what happens if the children go to the toilet during exams, do they get extra time? I was told no. So what happens if, like Josh, children go to the toilet and take 20 minutes? Are they going to lose out on exam time? Stress can play a part in Josh's crohns and he tends to start a minor flare resulting in constantly needing the toilet and he can often take 20 plus minutes when he goes.
Is there any way he would be allowed an extention to give him more time?

I know we are still a while away worrying about this, but I want to try to be informed about his rights over this. Exams are stressful enough as it is without the worry of needing the toilet while taking them.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I can't speak to dealing with this for a child but I know in school I had to deal with these issues in college. I told professors I had crohns and would miss days, need time during exams etc. Most were very understanding and accommodating. I think you should discuss it with your child's teachers if necessary and possibly a school official like a guidance counselor who can be your child's advocate.

 

[emmaaaargh]

Hello! I'm in the middle of my GCSEs right now, so I thought I'd chip in, as I did a bit of research about this a while ago. On the JCQ website there's a .pdf on access arrangements, and it states:

The Equality Act 2010* requires an awarding body to make reasonable adjustments where a candidate, who is disabled within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010, would be at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to someone who is not disabled. The awarding body is required to take reasonable steps to overcome that disadvantage.

The link for that .pdf is here.

I've definitely heard of toilet breaks with the time added back on at the end, although I've never applied for the arrangements myself. I can't see why your son wouldn't be granted those arrangements! I would definitely talk to the school as soon as you can though, since I've also heard that it takes a while to set these arrangements up. Hope everything goes well!

 

[Chester31]

Hi, my son is a year away from GCSEs although is currently doing several controlled assessments. Have you read the guide for schools on the Crohn's and Colitis UK website? Children with IBD are allowed extra time for exams as long as the school submits a request for this in good time, I think it's classed as a special need. However, this may mean the child sitting his/her exam in a different room - there is no way my son will agree to that! I would speak to someone at school about your concerns so that they are aware of your sons needs well before the time comes and any special provision can be put in place.

 

[Ands]

We've recently started conversations with the school about this, albeit J is only in year 8 atm! If he needs to go to the toilet he can, the clock will stop and the time continued on his return. He will however have to sit exam in smaller room though. As mentioned you need to apply to exam boards in advance.

This is now in his care plan, so fingers crossed will be sorted when the time comes. The thought of it all, scares us so much, fingers crossed things will be better by then.

 

[Daisy123]

Certainly this is the case for Undergraduate students here in the UK so I would have thought I would be the same in relation to Schools.

 

[CDJ]

Thank you all for your replies they are really helpful. I wouldn't have thought of applying to the exam board in advance, I would probably have thought the school that would do it, so that is really useful to know. How far in advance do I contact them? Do you need to do it just before the start of the exams or a year or so earlier?
Ands, Josh is also year 8. He does have a care plan at the school he is at now, but will go to high school in September when I will have to go over this all again.

 

[Ands]

CDJ, probably worth flagging up as soon as he moves up in September, at least it will be on file and then you can check nearer to the time. I know J doesn't like the idea of sitting in a different room for his exam but appreciates it should make things easier for him. They also said to us that as long as he was at the school and registered for all 9.30am exams, if he still needed toilet time then they could delay him starting, assuming we have managed to get him there in the first place!?!?!?