Exams Masterclass: Using technology for access arrangements
Free virtual event for schools and colleges
Exam time can be a stressful period for any student, but especially for students who struggle with reading and writing. We know that Exams Officers and SENCos work hard to provide students with consistent, secure and approved support in exams and beyond. We want to help.
Sign up for our free PD event to explore how to support students with access arrangements using technology.
Register now to watch sessions on demand from speakers including exams experts, fellow educators and SEN specialists.
Throughout 2 hours of PD sessions, we’ll give you all the tips and advice you need to enable exam success for every student.
Here’s what to expect:
- Understand the JCQ guidelines on computer readers and scribes
- Learn from a panel discussion on using technology in exams
- Discover our complete exams solution for Windows PCs and Chromebooks
You'll also be able to download lots of helpful takeaway resources including our guide to exam access arrangements and a business case for making the switch to technology over human readers and scribes.
Who should attend?
This Masterclass is for anyone who manages exams and access arrangements within a school, Multi Academy Trust or college. Whether you’re just getting familiar with access arrangements or are looking for technology solutions to support students in exams, this event can benefit you.
This event will be particularly helpful for: Exams Officers, SENCos, Digital Learning Leads and IT Coordinators.
Meet the speakers
Lindsay Fuller, History Teacher and SENDCo at Northampton School for Girls
Lindsay has worked as a history teacher for the last 24 years and is also currently SENDCo at Northampton School for Girls. She is passionate about inclusion and providing students with the right support they need to succeed and achieve their full potential. She is constantly developing as an educator, having recently qualified as a dyslexia specialist teacher.
Gustavo Ebermann, Product Strategy Manager at Texthelp
Product Strategy Manager at the Texthelp Group, Gustavo is an engaging, expert presenter. He spends much of his time working with educators across the globe, listening to and understanding their needs to help build products, experiences and resources that can drive meaningful and relevant change. Gustavo is passionate about making a positive impact in all he does.
Patrick McGrath, Head of Education Strategy at Texthelp
Patrick is an educator, an engaging international speaker, blogger, podcaster, an Honorary Fellow at UU and Head of Education Strategy at the Texthelp Group - the world's largest specialist assistive technology company. Patrick is passionate about ensuring that technology has a positive, meaningful and sustainable impact on teaching & learning through a focus on inclusion, accessibility and universal design.
Laura O’Hare, National Account Manager at Texthelp
Laura is the Further Education & MAT specialist at Texthelp, helping Colleges and MATs understand how to leverage technology tools to make a meaningful and positive impact on learners of all abilities. Laura is passionate about inclusion, driven by her experience of the difference technology has made when placed in the hands of the amazing professionals she works with. An engaging and knowledgeable presenter on subjects ranging from exams to literacy, maths and accessibility, Laura injects her personality and enthusiasm in everything she does - always ensuring she helps deliver on the Texthelp promise: Unlocking everyone's potential, and helping every student achieve more.
Abigail Hawkins, SEN Consultant
Abigail, a passionate and seasoned SENCO with over 25 years of experience, is the dynamic force behind SENDCOSolutions and SENsible SENCO CIC. Through her SEN consultancy and not-for-profit networking support group, she champions inclusive education and offers invaluable support to educators and schools across the spectrum. Having taught a diverse range of subjects to students of all ages, from toddlers to adults, Abigail has a versatile and practical approach to SEN issues.
Caroline Bateman, Founder and Lead Consultant of Achieve Now
Caroline used technology to enable her own dyslexic children to go from failing to excelling at school. Inspired by their success and alarmed that many schools were not utilising basic technology, she left her career in IT, determined to help stop dyslexic learners underachieving needlessly.
Simon Tanner, National Director of SEND for E-ACT
Simon has recently been appointed as National Director of SEND for E-ACT. With 10 years as an experienced SENDCo and 5 as a MAT leader for SEND, Simon has developed effective SEND practice across multiple schools and leads on SEND and MAT SEND reviews across the country. Simon Co-chairs the MAT SEND Leaders group which he established with Dr Nicola Crossly (Liberty Trust). The group currently has over 90 MAT leaders of SEND and collaborate with Whole Education. Simon is a mentor on their newly designed MAT SEND leaders programme which is currently delivering support to over 250 academies across England.
Year 11 and 13 learners have hugely benefited from being able to use a computer reader in their examinations. The traditional arrangement for a Reader, is often intimidating and young people are not always confident to instruct an adult when and what to read for them.