Positive Young Minds has collaborated with Scanning Pens to support access arrangements.
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has released its 2025/26 Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) guidance—and it’s packed with updates that every school should be aware of.
Whether you’re a SENCO, Exams Officer, or school leader, these changes are designed to empower learners, streamline processes, and better prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
Workplace-ready exam support
JCQ is encouraging schools to move beyond the traditional reliance on 25% extra time and instead consider a broader range of support options that reflect how students operate in real-world environments. These include:
• Assistive Technology: Tools like screen readers, speech-to-text software, and digital organisers can help students work more independently and efficiently.
• Supervised Rest Breaks: Ideal for students with anxiety, ADHD, or sensory processing needs, rest breaks allow learners to pause, reset, and return to the task with renewed focus.
• Timers: Visual or auditory timers can help students manage their time more effectively, reducing stress and improving pacing.
• Music or White Noise: With strict controls in place, some students may benefit from calming background sounds to help maintain concentration and reduce anxiety.
These adjustments are not just exam aids—they’re life skills that support neurodivergent learners in both academic and workplace settings.
C-Pen Exam Reader 2 for occasional support
For candidates who only need occasional words or phrases read aloud, JCQ now permits the use of examination reading pens, such as the C-Pen Exam Reader 2.
This discreet, handheld device allows students to scan and hear printed text without needing a human reader. It promotes independence, confidence, and privacy, especially for learners who may feel self-conscious asking for help.
Refer to Section 5.6 of the JCQ AARA 2025 document for full details.
💬 Why This Matters for Your School
These updates go far beyond compliance—they’re about creating fairer, more inclusive exams that reflect how students learn and thrive in the real world.
By embracing these changes, your school can:
✅ Support a wider range of learners, including those with hidden or emerging needs
✅ Reduce administrative burden by streamlining evidence requirements and removing outdated forms
✅ Align exam support with everyday classroom practice, making adjustments feel natural and consistent
✅ Prepare students for future education and employment, equipping them with tools and strategies they’ll use beyond schools.
📣 Next Steps for Schools
Here’s what you can do right now to get ahead of the changes:
✅ Review your current access arrangements policies to ensure they reflect the new JCQ guidance
✅ Train staff—especially SENCOs and Exams Officers—on the updated requirements and best practices
✅ Explore assistive technology and alternative supports that could benefit your learners
✅ Share this blog with your wider team to raise awareness and spark discussion
Let’s make 2025/26 the most inclusive and empowering exam season yet!
Contact us for more info (and mention Positive Young Minds)
https://www.scanningpens.co.uk
Call us on +44 (0) 207 976 4910
Email us on ukinfo@scanningpens.com
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