Special Arrangements for Entrance Examinations
Hampton is a school of equal opportunities and we conduct our admissions on a fair and non-discriminatory basis. We are happy to consider pupils with special educational needs for entry to the School provided they satisfy our admissions criteria.
In line with the Equality Act 2010, exam concessions may be available for candidates with a specific learning difficulty, disability or long-term medical condition, or for candidates for whom English us an Additional Language. These concessions may include use of a laptop, extra time, enlarged font, lift access. Further information regarding our admissions criteria is available in our Admissions Policy
Please let us know as early as possible in the admissions process if you are seeking special exam arrangements of any kind for your son. This will enable us to put in place any necessary arrangements for the entrance assessments. If your son has a diagnosis and you have a report, please let us have a copy so that we can meet your son’s needs.
Requests for special arrangements in the 11+ Entrance Exam and 13+ Pre-test (Year 6) must be received by 1 November prior to the entrance examination. Requests for special arrangements in the 10+ Advance Place Examination, 12+ Pre-test and 16+ assessments must be received by 1 October prior to the entrance examination. We regret that we are unable to consider late requests.
All requests must be supported by:
- A diagnostic assessment report from an Educational Psychologist, Qualified Specialist Teacher with a current Assessment Practising Certificate or equivalent Medical practitioner (not a GP). The report must be written and signed within two years of the date of the entrance examination (if you do not have a recent report please contact the Admissions team).
- Evidence of history of provision at the candidate’s current school (we shall contact your son’s current school directly for this information and seek your permission before doing so).
Exam concession requests are reviewed in line with the guidance issued by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and details of any adjustments granted will be confirmed in writing. Please note that there must be sufficient evidence that a candidate has significant and persistent difficulties when accessing and processing information and that the candidate would be substantially disadvantaged if the concession is not granted.
Adjustments will only be awarded if the candidate would be granted concessions in external formal exams (such as GCSEs). Receipt of special arrangements at a candidate’s current school does not guarantee that similar, or any, adjustments will be granted for our entrance assessments. The School’s decision on exam concession requests is final.
Requests for extra time in the written entrance exam papers
Candidates may be granted up to 25% additional time in the written entrance exam papers of the diagnostic assessment report and information provided but the current school supports this request. In line with JCQ requirements, the report must show two below-average scores of 84 of below, or one below average of 84 or below and one below average of 89 or below in different areas, for example speed of writing, cognitive processing, reading or speed of reading comprehension.
Requests for use of laptop
Candidates may be allowed to use a School laptop or computer for extended pieces of writing such as the Creative Writing Paper if:
- They are proficient typists, and this is their ‘normal way of working’ at their current school
- A recommendation has been made by an Educational Psychologist, Qualified Teacher or equivalent Medical Practitioner (not GP) and,
- We have received written confirmation from the candidates current school that it is their normal way of working (with evidence of need)
In line with JCQ guidance, a candidate will only be allowed to use a laptop or computer and receive extra time if they meet the JCQ criteria.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Candidates who have English as an Additional Language may use a bilingual translation dictionary in the written exam providing this is their ‘normal way of working’.
10% additional time in addition to the bilingual translation dictionary may also be awarded if they have English as an Additional Language, has been a resident in the UK for less than two years at the time of the exam and was not been educated at an International or British school (where some of the curriculum has been delivered in English), prior to their arrival in the UK.
Special arrangements for entrance interviews
The interview process does not require extra time; however, sufficient and reasonable adjustments will be made on the day as necessary. The interviewer will be made aware of candidates who have slow processing skills.
To learn more about our Learning Support or Access Arrangements provision at Hampton, we encourage you to visit the Learning Support Department webpage and also explore our Special Educational Needs policy.
