Functional skills for all

A parent and students testimonial

For children with special educational needs (SEN), one of the toughest barriers to accessing the curriculum can simply be how intimidating the classroom can feel, with 70 per cent of those permanently excluded from school also being registered with SEN.

Mr “C” was growing increasingly concerned that the revised GCSE English language exam would be too demanding for her son, who has autism and a language disorder. She then heard about how using an online platform could offer him the chance to shine, by nurturing his natural ability and playing to his strengths.

Using EDExams, him was able to develop his functional skills and sit his GCSE English exam in an environment more suited to him. The online platform went beyond what is typically offered to students with SEN, such as extra time, a scribe, a text-to-speech function or a quiet room. These adjustments are a step in the right direction, but there are other issues they do not overcome, namely, the lack of motivation to sit an exam or feelings of anxiety. Accessing functional skills through an online platform gave him the chance to prepare for and sit his exams in a space in which he felt comfortable, and gave his teachers the chance to create a personalised pathway for his learning and assessment.

Once he had started using this alternative approach, it was clear that this opportunity had enabled him to develop his reading and writing skills, with the key advantage that all learning was adjusted to his own pace to maintain his self-esteem. A stepping stone qualification was set for him to work towards, which involved a presentation element. He has a keen interest in Switzerland and Swiss trains, so being given the freedom to prepare his presentation on a subject he was passionate about helped to build his confidence and motivation for the exam.

He said, “I liked the course and felt less stressed at doing the reading and writing work.”

Mrs C agreed that this alternative approach had engaged him and helped him with techniques he could use in his writing, meaning that he could settle in at college and really thrive. He's still attending his Swiss Train Society meetings and has signed up to give another presentation to the group next year!

EDLounge has partnered with national examining bodies to provide functional skills through the online platform, EDExams, so more students can benefit like the student did. Qualifications are delivered through tutor led sessions and include digital materials that can be accessed via a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

For more information about EDLounge, visit www.edlounge.com