We understand that sitting public examinations can be particularly challenging for students with disabilities, medical conditions, or specific learning difficulties. As a JCQ-approved centre, we are committed to ensuring that every eligible candidate has a fair opportunity to demonstrate their ability. Please read this page carefully — the documentation requirements and deadlines are strict, and early preparation is essential.
Ready to apply for access arrangements?
Complete the access arrangements section of our application form. Contact us if you have any questions before applying.
How to Apply
Follow these five steps to apply for access arrangements as a private candidate.
Complete the application form
Fill in the access arrangements section of our online application form. Describe the condition or difficulty and the arrangement you are requesting.
Submit all required supporting documents
Upload the relevant JCQ form (Form 8 or Form 9) and specialist evidence at the time of application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. See the documents section below for full requirements.
We review your evidence
Our team reviews the documentation against JCQ requirements. We may contact you if we need clarification. Please note that we cannot guarantee acceptance of all applications.
We confirm whether your application is accepted
You will receive written confirmation of whether your access arrangement application has been accepted, partially accepted, or declined. All decisions are final.
Payment is requested only after acceptance
An invoice is issued only once your application has been accepted. Payment deadlines still apply and must be met to secure your place.
Deadlines for Access Arrangements — Summer 2026
The deadline for access arrangements applications is earlier than the standard exam entry deadline. Missing this date means your application cannot be considered. All supporting documentation must be submitted at the time of application — we cannot accept incomplete applications with documentation to follow.
Cambridge International (CAIE)
30th November 2025
Including modified papers.
Pearson Edexcel
30th November 2025
Including modified papers.
AQA & OCR
30th November 2025
Including modified papers.
Applications After the Deadline
If you are applying after the published deadline, we may still be able to consider your application provided you can supply all of the required documentation immediately and in full. Invoices are issued only after acceptance of the application. Payment deadlines still apply.
Documents Required
The documents required depend on the nature of the condition or difficulty. All evidence must be current and must be submitted at the time of the application.
Physical Disability / Sensory Impairment
- Fully completed and signed Form 9
- Formal diagnosis from a registered specialist — for example, a clinical paediatrician or hospital consultant
Medical Condition
- Fully completed and signed Form 9
- Current, detailed letter or report from a hospital consultant or specialist doctor — not a GP
- Must clearly describe the condition, its impact on examination performance, and any side effects of prescribed medication
Learning Difficulty
- Fully completed and signed Form 8
- Assessor's qualification — please ask the assessor to send documents directly to the centre
- Includes dyslexia, dyscalculia, and similar specific learning difficulties
Transferring Arrangements from a Previous School
Access arrangements do not transfer automatically. If you were granted arrangements at a previous school or examination centre, you must reapply as a private candidate. Please also provide a copy of the Access Arrangements Online approval sheet from your previous centre, along with all current supporting documentation.
You may include additional evidence beyond the requirements listed above to help us understand the full picture of need. All evidence must be submitted at the time of application.
Additional Supporting Evidence
You may also include any of the following where relevant:
- An Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Learning Plan (ILP)
- Arrangements made for Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Tests
- Arrangements made for any previous internal or external examinations or assessments
- A copy of the approval sheet from Access Arrangements Online, if arrangements were granted at a previous examination
- Centre-based evidence used by the previous centre to support an online application, which must include a fully completed Form 8 accompanied by evidence of the assessor's qualification
Frequently Asked Questions
What access arrangements are available for private candidates?
We can support applications for extra time, rest breaks, a separate room, coloured overlays, enlarged print (modified papers), and use of a word processor. The specific arrangement granted depends on the evidence you provide and the exam board's approval. Each application is assessed on its individual merits.
Do you accept Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)?
An EHCP can usefully support your application and provides helpful context about the candidate's needs. However, it is not sufficient on its own. You must also provide the relevant JCQ form (Form 8 or Form 9) and formal documentation from a registered specialist — not a GP. An EHCP without the required specialist documentation will not be accepted.
Will you accept a letter from my GP?
No. Under no circumstances will letters from GPs be accepted as supporting evidence. Evidence must come from a hospital consultant or registered specialist with expertise in the relevant medical field. The specialist's letter must clearly outline the condition, its likely impact on examination performance, and any side effects from prescribed medication. This is a JCQ requirement that applies to all examination centres, not a policy specific to Ark Education Centre.
Can I transfer my access arrangements from my previous school?
Access arrangements do not transfer automatically when you become a private candidate. You must reapply formally. If you were granted arrangements at a previous school or centre, you must provide a copy of the approval sheet from Access Arrangements Online, along with current supporting documentation meeting the requirements described on this page. Evidence from a previous centre may also be included.
Do you provide readers or scribes for private candidates?
Regrettably, we are unable to accept applications from private candidates who require the support of a reader or scribe. Priority for these arrangements is given to our internal candidates due to limited availability of suitable rooms and trained invigilators during examination periods. If a reader or scribe is essential for your examinations, we recommend contacting other local JCQ-approved centres who may have greater capacity to support this.
Ready to submit your application?
Complete the access arrangements section of our application form. Contact us on 020 3441 7272 or WhatsApp 07311 920941 if you have any questions.