5. Procedures and requirements

5.1 Admissions arrangements

Students with SEND have an equal opportunity to join Cornerstone if they satisfy the College’s selection requirements which include meeting academic and behavioural standards. Please read the Student Behaviour and Exclusions Policy and the Admissions Policy for further details. If examination concessions are required for the entrance assessments (e.g. use of a laptop or extra time), evidence should be submitted to the Admissions department prior to the test date. This documentation will be considered by the SEND Team who will make the necessary recommendations.

5.1.2. Failure to disclose a pre-existing SEND

Before a place is offered at the College, parents of a candidate with any known or suspected circumstances relating to a disability, long-term medical condition or special educational need and/or an educational health and care plan (EHCP) must provide full written details as part of the application process. Should parents or students fail to disclose any relevant information prior to acceptance, the College may be unable to meet the needs of the student and, in some circumstances, this may result in the offer of a place being withdrawn.

Where a student’s SEND is identified or develops after beginning at Cornerstone, the College will continue to support the student under the following conditions:

The College possesses the appropriate resources and facilities to provide the support required; and

It is in the best interests of the student and the College community for the student to remain at Cornerstone.

When either of these conditions cannot be met the College reserves the right to withdraw any place that has been offered.

Applications to the College by students with an EHCP will only be considered if:

the EHCP is fully up to date

the EHCP is accompanied by all relevant supporting (section K) documentation

the EHCP includes references from previous schools, where applicable

the set provisions within the EHCP have been agreed by the College in consultation with

the Local Authority, with respect to ‘reasonable adjustments’

the EHCP properly discloses any notes relating to child protection and safeguarding issues.

5.1.3 Students with an educational health and care plan (EHCP)

Where a student, who has been accepted at Cornerstone having fulfilled all the admissions requirements, has an existing EHCP with supporting documentation, the College will make all ‘reasonable adjustments’ to support their needs as outlined in their plan.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead, in conjunction with the SEND team, is responsible for ensuring EHCP student’s needs are met by:

working with all relevant parties – student, parents, teachers, staff and external agencies – to monitor, appraise and review the provision as outlined in the plan;

ensuring relevant staff understand how to meet the student’s needs and are offered training and practical support to do so;

carrying out an annual review, with input from all relevant parties, if there are any concerns about the student’s progress or if their needs have changed substantially;

close and effective liaison with all relevant parties involved.

5.2 Students with pre-existing access arrangements

Any students accepted at Cornerstone who were provided with access arrangements in their previous place of learning will be given a review assessment at the start of their first term at the College; this is a Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) requirement for students transferring onto an A-level programme and/or different place of learning. The review assessment will typically consist of a visual processing test (SDMT), phonological processing test (CTOPP2) and the DASH handwriting assessment, as outlined below. Relevant applications are processed subject to requirement. If a student does not meet the JCQ threshold, further assessments may be carried out to ascertain if there is an ongoing need. Given that JCQ threshold guidelines can vary from one year to the next, students who have previously received access arrangements at their former school should not expect that these will automatically be granted when they transfer to Cornerstone.

5.3 Students without pre-existing access arrangements

It is not the College’s policy to screen and assess each student for specific learning difficulties. To be eligible for a screening test students must be referred by their teacher to the SEND team who will then initiate the process of assessment.

After the half-term mocks, teachers will be asked for feedback about any students who may have SEND. If necessary the SEND team will invite relevant students for an initial screening which will typically involve a programme called EXACT (a JCQ recognised assessment tool). Further assessment may follow subject to initial results. Where results yield standardised scores of 84 or less in areas of processing, (e.g. reading speed, visual processing, cognitive function etc.) an application for examination concessions can be made.

For more complex access arrangements such as 50% extra time, further testing would be required and appropriate scores (69 or less) would need to be recorded. Ideally, this would be done by an educational psychologist who would carry out a full diagnostic assessment. However, the SEND Advisor and Assessor could carry out this assessment if required. In the case of students with conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) alternative access arrangements may be given (e.g. rest breaks).

All access arrangements are reviewed on an individual basis with consideration to the needs of the student and the needs of the wider student body.

The SEND team will assess a student for access arrangements only. The specialist assessor does not offer a full diagnostic assessment; this should be done by an educational psychologist. In addition, students who require testing for dyscalculia will need to be assessed externally (e.g. with an educational psychologist).

Any students who have not received prior access arrangements but do have an educational report detailing a need will meet with the SEND Assessor for further testing. This will typically involve two tests in processing, and a handwriting test if Word Processing is required.

5.4 Testing process for SEND

Cornerstone follows statutory timescales for assessments. Provision for remote assessment is available via online programmes.

5.4.1 Tests

No prior access arrangements

EXACT – online program to test reading speed, writing speed, typing speed plus single word reading and reading comprehension. This test takes approximately 40 minutes. EXACT can be accessed remotely, which means that students who are learning remotely and/or cannot attend the small group assessments in college will be able to be assessed for access arrangements during this period.

Existing prior access arrangements

Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT) – Visual processing;

Rapid Naming subtest of Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing 2II (CTOPP2II) – Cognitive processing;

Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH) (10 minute free-writing assessment, usually followed up with a typing test of similar length).

Further assessments

Wechsler Individual Achievement TestIII (WIATIII) – tests of attainment.

Test of Memory and Learning2 (TOMAL2) – assessment for memory.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Test2 (ADHDT2) for attention deficit and impulsivity.

5.5 Access arrangements for exams

Cornerstone facilitates a number of different access arrangements for examinations for SEND students, which include:

Extra time

Word processing

Prompters

Rest breaks

Special seating arrangement within the exam hall

Cornerstone’s criteria for extra time are in line with the JCQ guidelines and are subject to regular review by the SEND Team.

Cornerstone does not have the resources to offer separate invigilation for any examinations nor does the College have provision to offer scribes. Those students who have previously required a reader will be issued with a specialised reader pen and headphones to allow them to complete their examination in the same room as other candidates.

6. ‘Reasonable adjustment’ under the Equality Act 2010

Cornerstone will endeavour to make any ‘reasonable adjustment’ for the provision of education to any SEND students accepted at the College to enable them to perform to the best of their academic potential within the learning environment. In accordance with guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission relating to ‘reasonable adjustment’, the College considers the following factors when assessing provision:

The extent to which special educational provision complies with Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014.

The resources of the College and the availability of financial or other assistance.

The financial and other costs of making any relevant adjustments.

The extent to which taking any particular step would be effective in overcoming the substantial disadvantage experienced by the student.

The practicability of any adjustments.

The effect of SEND on the individual.

Health and safety requirements.

The need to maintain academic, musical, sporting and other standards.

The interests of other students and prospective students.

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