Derbyshire’s Vision Impairment Team (Children’s Services) will support the school in assisting to break down barriers and enable the pupil with a vision impairment to access the curriculum. A key aspect of education is accessing and sitting examinations.

The QTVI (Qualified Teacher for Vision Impairment) will support the pupil with vision impairment, and school, in assessing and recommending adaptations in the classroom. Often the QTVI will provide evidence to support the school in requesting modifications, these could be:

  • Assistive technology
  • Extra time between 25%-100%, according to individual need
  • Modified papers in large print or braille
  • Readers
  • Scribes
  • Supervised rest breaks (NASEN: 2024)
  • Practical Assistants

Fundamental to the application for modifications of exams is that the access arrangements should have been the 'learner's normal way of working' (Nasen: 2024:179), the modifications should have been made throughout the young person's attendance at school, from informal spelling tests, through to full GCSE external examinations.

Assistive Technology

This may be the use of an iPad, Laptop, Reading Pen or Braille Line for example, which will have been used by the pupil throughout their studies in school. It should be their ‘normal way of working’. The school will need to liaise with the examinations board as regards the board’s requirements as the device will have to be disconnected from the internet etc.

Extra Time

This can be applied for, but again, needs the support of the QTVI and discussions with the exam board. The amount of time varies depending upon the vision needs of the pupil.

Modified Papers

Awarding bodies offer modified papers in a range of formats. The QTVI will confirm which format is best suited to each pupil's needs. There is also a deadline for when to apply for modified papers.

Modified formats available as standard are:

  • A3 unmodified enlarged. This is the standard exam enlarged onto A3, providing a font size of approximately 14pt for most papers. These papers are not provided by awarding bodies. Centres should request permission to open the standard papers 90 minutes early to enlarge them themselves.
  • A4 modified large print (18 point). The layout and presentation of the standard paper is simplified to remove elements of visual complexity, without changing the level of difficulty. Pictures and diagrams are often redrawn to make them more visually accessible. Modified large print papers are provided by the awarding bodies on request.
  • A4 modified large print (24 point)
  • A3 modified large print (24 point)
  • A3 modified large print (36 point)
  • Grade 2 braille paper. Here the layout and presentation of the standard paper is simplified, and the content is transcribed into braille, with tactile diagrams where appropriate.
  • Non-interactive electronic (PDF) question paper
  • Tactile diagrams with print labels

Exam paper provision for braillists:

All exam boards will provide a braille transcript, on request, in Word format to accompany a hard copy braille paper (additionally a PDF of the braille paper may be ordered). Applications and issues related to modified formats can be communicated directly to the relevant exam board’s modification team. Contact the relevant exam board modification team for assistance.

Modified formats available for SATs exams:

The range of modified formats available for SATs is more limited than that for 14-plus exams. If a learner requires a different format, the paper can be modified locally under secure conditions, meaning the centre will need to make an application for early opening on Primary Access Gateway.

On the Primary Assessment Gateway, schools can order modified versions of the:

KS1 tests in modified large print (Arial 18pt bold) and uncontracted braille

KS2 tests in:

  • Enlarged print (this is the standard paper enlarged onto A3 giving a font size of 14-15pt; the name of the font used is 'Helvetica 55 Roman').
  • Modified large print (Arial 24pt bold) which has more white space and diagrams modified for accessibility.
  • Braille: all papers are available in contracted UEB, but additionally, the English Reading paper is available in uncontracted Unified English Braille (UEB)

Modification and production of exam papers

Exams in accessible formats for general qualifications (GCSE, A-level etc) are produced in line with nationally agreed guidelines. Please look at UKAAF, JCQ and RNIB for further information as well as liaising with the relevant exam board.

Modified Past Papers

All exam boards provide modified (including braille) versions of past papers. Please contact the examinations board.

Readers and Scribes

The school need to again liaise with the relevant exam board. The use of readers and scribes should have been implemented before formal external examinations. Readers and scribes do have limitations, for example, a reader cannot read the English reading element in an exam, as the exam is testing the pupil on their reading.

Rest Breaks

The school needs to liaise with the examinations board and the QTVI with regards to rest breaks. Is a rest break required due to vision fatigue or other concerns? Has it been the standard ways of practice?

Practical Assistant

The school need to again liaise with the relevant exam board and the use of a practical assistant for subjects such as food technology and science.

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