Sharp Rise in Students Receiving Extra Exam Support Raises Concerns Over Fairness

Reports highlight a surge in special exam accommodations, with disparities between private and state schools fueling debate over potential system misuse.

• The number of students receiving extra time in exams has quadrupled in England over the past decade, with nearly 30% of pupils now granted this support.
• Private school students are more likely to receive extra time, with 42% qualifying compared to 27% in state schools, partly due to faster access to private assessments.
• Scottish schools have also seen a sharp increase, with 22% of students receiving accommodations, though concerns about inconsistent information sharing persist.
• Teachers report that rising requests for accommodations, often without formal diagnoses, are straining resources and creating administrative challenges.
• The UK government and exam regulators are reviewing the growing demand for accommodations to address fairness and ensure the system is not exploited.

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