THE LANCASTER SCHOOL
WORD PROCESSOR POLICY
Date
February 2017
Review Date
Autumn Term 2018
Governing Body Signature
1. Policy
The Lancaster School is committed to ensuring that all students, including those with a disability,
achieve their potential and that they are successful. We recognise that we have a duty towards
disabled candidates as defined under the terms of the Equality Act 2010.
2. Objectives
The purpose of this policy is to detail how the school facilitates access to exams and assessments
for candidates who, as part of their normal way of working, or on a temporary basis as a
consequence of a temporary injury, require the use of a word processor
3. Scope
This policy applies to all teaching staff, teaching assistants, invigilators, access arrangements
assessor and the exams officer.
4. Impact on Workload and Working hours
The implementation of this policy should have minimal impact on workload and work-life balance.
However, if the reporting and recording which is necessarily associated with this policy proves to
be very onerous and begins to have an impact on workload, this will be taken account of in a
review.
5. Rational
5.1 The use of a word processor will reflect the normal way of working for the student and be
appropriate to a candidates needs
5.2 A word processor will not be granted to a candidate because he/she prefers to type rather than
write or can work faster on a keyboard, or because he/she uses a laptop at home
5.3 There is not a requirement to process an application using Access arrangements online
5.4 No evidence is needed to support the use of the arrangement
6. Procedure
6.1 The spelling and grammar check facility/predictive text should be disabled. ‘WordPad’ will used
for all exams. Word processors will be in good working order at the time of the examination
6.2 The use of word processors will be permitted for controlled assessments or coursework
components unless prohibited by the specification
6.3 Candidates can use a word processor in an exam to type certain questions, i.e. those requiring
extended writing, and hand write shorter answers
6.4 Candidates may use their answer booklet in addition to the word processor if they wish to do
so.
6.5 Only authorised memory sticks provided by the centre may be used, if appropriate.
6.6 Candidates must save their work at regular intervals.
6.7 Printing will be carried out after the examination is over, and the candidate must be present to
verify that the work printed is his/her own.
6.8 Candidates must ensure that their centre number, candidate number and unit code are typed
or handwritten on each page.
6.9 A JCQ word processor cover sheet (Form 4) must be completed and attached to the
candidate’s script.
Appendix 1
This list helps to identify candidates who would benefit from the use of a word processor:
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A learning difficulty which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on the ability to
write legibly
A medical condition
A physical disability
A sensory impairment
Planning and organisation problems when writing by hand
Poor handwriting
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Temporary injury
Related Policies
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SEND Policy
Access Arrangements Policy
Word Processor Policy
Equality and Diversity Policy
Relevant Documents
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JCQ Adjustments for Candidates with Disabilities and Learning Difficulties - Access
Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments 1/09/16 - 31/08/17
General Regulations for Approved Centres 2016 -17
Instructions for Conducting Examinations 2016 -17
The Lancaster School
Title: Word Processor Policy
Prepared by: S Aldis
Approved by:
Date approved:
Policy/Procedure
File Ref:
No of Pages: 3
Review date: Autumn Term 2018
Date last modified: February 2017
Policy Approved (date) ………………………..
Signed …………………………………
Chair of IEB