At The Henley College, we believe that all students should have a fair opportunity to achieve their full potential. Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARAs) are support measures put in place during exams to ensure students with additional needs are not disadvantaged.
These arrangements are not about giving an unfair advantage, but about removing barriers that may prevent a student from demonstrating their true ability. They are awarded based on individual evidence of need and in accordance with national regulations set by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).
Examples of needs that may qualify include:
Support may include:
Access arrangements are considered on a case-by-case basis and must be supported by appropriate evidence.
If you’ve had access arrangements for your GCSEs, please follow these steps carefully:
1. Indicate this on your application form or interview.
Make sure you tell us about access arrangements when applying to The Henley College.
2. Request paperwork from your current school’s SENDCo.
You’ll need to collect and keep copies of:
3. Submit your documents to Henley College.
After you’ve confirmed your place at the college (following enrolment in August), email the documents to:
Important Notes
| Q: I had extra time at school—will that automatically continue at Henley? | A: No. We will need to see the correct paperwork, and you may be reassessed. |
| Q: What if I can’t get the forms from my school? | A: Please contact us at examaccess@henleycol.ac.uk as soon as possible—we’ll guide you through the next steps. |
| Q: I had a laptop in my GCSE exams. Will I get one at Henley? | A: Possibly—but not automatically. We need evidence from your previous school and may need to assess you to confirm if it’s still appropriate. |
| Q: Can I get extra time without a formal diagnosis? | A: Possibly. It depends on your history of need, supporting evidence, and results from assessments. Formal diagnosis is helpful but not always required. |
| Q: How long does the process take once I send my paperwork? | A: It can take several weeks, especially during busy periods. That's why it's important to submit everything as soon as possible after enrolment. |
| Q: What happens if I don’t provide the paperwork? | A: We won’t be able to apply for access arrangements without evidence. This could mean you sit exams without the support you previously had. |
| Q: Will I be told if access arrangements are approved? | A: Yes. Once we've reviewed your paperwork and (if needed) completed any assessments, we’ll confirm what arrangements are in place. |
| Q: What if my needs change during the year? | A: Please speak to your teachers. We may be able to review your arrangements or conduct further assessments if needed. |
| Q: Is there a deadline for applying for access arrangements? | A: Yes—there are two key deadlines each academic year, in line with JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) regulations. |
To ensure we have time to assess, process, and apply for your access arrangements, you must provide your paperwork by the dates below:
GCSE Resits and vocational courses
Summer exams (including A-level mocks)
Providing your paperwork late could mean access arrangements cannot be put in place, so please meet these deadlines to avoid any issues.
Q: Can parents contact Henley College about access arrangements?
A: Yes—but once you're enrolled, we’ll primarily communicate directly with you as a student, in line with data protection guidelines.
Q: I didn’t have access arrangements in school, but I think I need them now. Can I still apply?
A: Yes. Even if you didn’t have support at school, you may still be eligible if there is evidence of need. You can speak to your teachers, who may refer you to us for an assessment. It’s important to do this as early as possible so there’s enough time to complete the process before the deadlines.
Q: I already get 25% extra time—can I apply for 50% extra time?
A: In some exceptional cases, extra time over 25% can be awarded, but only where there is clear and compelling evidence that the standard 25% is not sufficient. This usually requires updated specialist assessments or strong medical evidence. If you feel 25% extra time isn’t meeting your needs, please speak to us to discuss your situation further.
For any further questions or support, feel free to get in touch with us: