Really well worded and to the point Duncan.  Let's just hope it triggers some action from JCQ!



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-----Original Message-----

From: The FE Exams Network mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Duncan Buck

Sent: 13 November 2012 15:22

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: Letter to JCQ regarding Access Arrangements - Names List



Dear All



Here is the text, and equally important the list of names supporting, the Email that I am going to send to Nick Lait at the JCQ expressing our concern over the changes to the requirements for claiming Access Arrangements. Please can I ask that you all read this and suggest any amendments or if you wish to withdraw your name from the list by 10:00 tomorrow when I will send it. The same list of names will be used by Chris Hemming when he writes to the AoC suggesting that the JCQ are summonsed to the conference.



Regards



Duncan

Duncan Buck

Exams Co-ordinator

Herefordshire College of Technology

DDI: 01432 365315

Int: x315

Group Email: [log in to unmask]





Dear Nick



I feel that JCQ needs to be aware that there is great confusion and concern amongst experienced examination officers regarding the evidence required to "paint a picture of need" and to demonstrate the "normal way of working" under the 12-13 JCQ Regulations.



We are generally supportive of the changes set out in the AARA&SC Section 1.1.3 and appreciate how this links to 1.1.4 and the possible provision of inappropriate access arrangements in the past. However, the JCQ are asking examination officers to take responsibility for signing (for example on Form 8, Form 9 or Access Arrangements Online) to say that we have evidence to "paint a picture of need" and to demonstrate the "normal way of working", both of which will be available for inspection by your inspectors, but without defining exactly what we will be required to hold immediately available.



Particularly in large colleges examination officers are unable to know all of the students personally, and as such we have to rely on the word of our professional colleagues such as SENCOs/specialist teachers and teaching staff. The JCQ needs to define, along with example documents, what it expects examination officers to hold available for inspection for each generic group of access arrangements. Your current approach of expecting each centre to develop the requirements for themselves without providing examples of what you are expecting is unsustainable and is resulting in inconsistency of provision to candidates.



Please can we ask you to reconsider the JCQ's current approach and to provide examination officers with a much clearer understanding of what your inspectors will be looking to find. In addition, in future when such major changes in working practice are planned you should consider providing training meetings before the changes are implemented to assist those who are expected to apply them to do so in the way that you desire.



Yours sincerely



Duncan



Duncan Buck

Exams Co-ordinator

Herefordshire College of Technology

DDI: 01432 365315



On behalf of:



John Bland, Examinations Officer, New College Durham Sue Brennan, Examinations Officer, Hertford Regional College Duncan Buck, Exams Co-ordinator, Herefordshire College of Technology Vicky Buckle, Examinations Officer, Bishop Burton College Elaine Christian, Examinations Manager, Birkenhead Sixth Form College Amy Coombes, Exams Officer, Pontypool Campus, Coleg Gwent Claire  Coterill-Smith, Examinations Manager, Midkent College Matthew Fletcher, Examinations Manager, College of North West London Alan Fenton, Head of Exams, Newcastle College Joyce Forster, Examinations Officer, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College Darlington Sally Graham, Exams Team Leader, Stockport College Meg Gwilliam, Exams Officer, Ludlow College Shirley Hallett, Examination Manager, Warrington Collegiate Richard Harrison, Examinations Officer, Stafford College Peter Hearn, Examinations Officer, Capel Manor College Karen Heath, Examinations Officer, Hartlepool Sixth Form College Chris Hemming, Examinations Officer, Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge Jen Henry, Examinations Officer, North Hertfordshire College Colin Humphreys, Registrations and Assessments Manager, Coleg Morgannwg Wilma Khaliq, Examinations Manager, Sir George Monoux College Michelle Lockett, Administrative Officer MIS/ Exams, Mid Cheshire College Jake Meechan, Exams Manager, Guilford College Elaine Monks, Assessments & Achievements Manager, Yeovil College Pippa Newman, Admissions & Examinations Manager, Harrow College Kate Oliver, Examinations Manager, West Thames College Margot Pitt, IS Manager (Exams), Gloucestershire College Jayne Pownall, Examinations Manager, Rotherham College of Arts & Technology Gillian Russell, Examinations and Assessments Manager, Kingston College Lynne Savage, Exams and Data Co-ordinator, North West Kent College Sarah Short, Examinations and Accreditations Manager, Stockton Riverside College Cath Smith, Examinations Officer, New College Stamford Ros Stapleton, Achievement & Exams Officer, College of West Anglia Karen Sturland, Exams Manager, Brockenhurst College Mike Swann, Examinations Manager, Huntingdon Regional College Mark Tate, Examinations Officer, City of Bath College Sarah-Jane Taylor, Examinations Officer, Carlisle College Samantha Vowles, Exams Officer, Somerset College Trudy Wallis, Examinations Officer, New College Telford Dr Alan Waymont, Examinations Manager, Peter Symonds College Shirley Westall, Examinations Manager, New College (Swindon) Marjanne Worsley, Examinations Officer, Central Sussex College